Here in the suburbs, the construction of backyard decks has become as much a sign of spring as baseball and barbecues.
It's no wonder. Decks add value to a home and provide the perfect escape from the winter blues, a place to grill some burgers, read a book or just enjoy some quiet moments of warmth and sunshine.
This year, those who decide to build a deck of their own likely will think about more than just the design and financial challenges associated with the project. Many also will consider the environmental effects.
Wait a minute - the environmental effects? Yes, building a deck, like most home construction projects, can contribute to deforestation and pollution. And these days, industry representatives say, more homeowners are trying to minimize such environmental problems.
"'Going green' is becoming a lifestyle for many people," said Jennifer Wilson, a spokeswoman for Lowe's, the North Carolina-based home improvement company. "There's a growing sense that a structure like a deck is supposed to help you enjoy nature, not hurt it."
So what options do eco-conscious homeowners have? Plenty, it turns out. The decking industry now offers an array of materials and accessories that allow people to add a deck to their homes without hurting the environment.
Composite decking
The key starting point is, of course, the decking material itself.
More people are asking for composite decking as an alternative to traditional wood. Composite decking is usually a mixture of recycled wood and plastic; choosing it over traditional lumber ensures trees won't be cut down for you to have a deck.
There are a number of brands of composite decking available. One of the better-known is Trex, which consists of recycled plastic grocery bags combined with reclaimed scrap wood obtained from the furniture industry. Another product, ChoiceDek, is a combination of recycled wood and polyethylene.
In both cases, the decking will not splinter, warp or crack. It never needs treatment, which means homeowners don't have to slather their deck with chemicals that can seep into the ground, potentially hurting plants and contaminating the water supply. And both materials mimic the look of actual wood, even high-end tropical woods.
Composite decking generally will cost more than traditional wood decking, but that hasn't stopped demand from growing.
"Demand really started taking off during the past year or so," said Maureen Robinson, a supervisor at the Home Depot store in Chicago's South Loop. "Right now, I'd say half of our customers choose composites over wood."
Of course, the demand isn't solely due to environmental concerns. Local builders say that even customers who aren't trying to be eco-friendly are drawn to the product.
"People like the low-maintenance aspect," said Tom Reinhofer, director of marketing for American Deck Builders in Palatine, adding that composite decking is now about 85 percent of the company's business. "We do get customers interested in the environmental aspect once in a while, but so far, that hasn't been a huge topic."
Still, the makers of Trex and ChoiceDek believe the eco-friendly nature of their products is a big part of their appeal. And they promote that aspect in their marketing.
"It's probably the most eco-friendly option out there," Maureen Murray, spokeswoman for Virginia-based Trex Company Inc., said of her company's composite decking. "Trex is made of material that might otherwise wind up in landfills. And because it's so low-maintenance, you're not spraying all kinds of chemicals on it."
Other options
Let's imagine, though, that after considering composite decking, you want to go with traditional wood. There's still a way to be eco-friendly about it.
Both Home Depot and Lowe's stores sell lumber that meets "sustainable forestry" standards.
Sustainable forestry is a management program that provides a way for forests to provide material for lumber, paper and other products without being destroyed in the process. Essentially, the program ensures that when trees are cut down in a particular forest, new ones are planted, so that the forest can continue to thrive.
The standards are set by the Forestry Stewardship Council, an international not-for-profit organization. Lowe's and Home Depot have utilized the sustainable forestry program since about 2000.
"The demand for wood products is overwhelming, and we decided this would be one way to meet that demand in a responsible way," said Lowe's spokeswoman Wilson.
Once your wood deck is built, you'll likely have to seal and stain it. Most home improvement outlets will offer eco-friendly options for these chemicals.
Of course a deck and yard need lighting, which now comes in a variety of styles that utilize solar power, rather than electricity.
Solar lights collect sunlight during the day and store it in special batteries. When the sun goes down, the lights come on, providing beauty and safety without adding to the summer demand for electricity.
Most brands of lights can shine for 15 hours, when fully charged.
"Summer nights are when the demand for electricity is at its highest," Home Depot's Robinson said. "Solar lights will give you the lighting you need without adding to that burden."
With the environment and "green" living in the news more than ever before, industry experts don't expect the demand for eco-friendly decking materials to abate any time soon.
"I think the whole industry is moving that way," Robinson said.Daily Herald
