There are an increasing number of companies offering sustainable-decking options. Photo / Getty Images
With warmer days on the horizon the time is ripe to start thinking about having a deck built or upgrading your current one.
Doing the right thing when it comes to selecting materials for decking is easier than it once was. Today, options include composite decks made of recycled plastic and sawdust mixed with sustainable hardwood timbers, bamboo, and softwoods with a non-toxic treatment.
The golden rule is to avoid buying timber that started life in any kind of natural forest - deforestation is a major environmental issue that is partly blamed for altering the earth's climate and severely reducing the natural habitat of hundreds of birds and animals, as well as people - particularly in Indonesia. So look for wood sourced from forests planted by people or so-called eco-timber.
When it comes to decking look for non-arsenic, something that comes with a warranty against decay and termite attack, and is splinter free - so ideal for bare feet and children.
Firms such as Abodo eco wood products are created from renewable, certified wood, and can be delivered in the colour of your choice. It is produced here in New Zealand and has no toxic treatment chemicals. Elsewhere, Accoya (sold in NZ by Timspec) manufactures decking from sustainable sources that "match or exceed those of the best tropical hardwoods and treated woods."
Interestingly, Accoya timber begins life as New Zealand pine, and undergoes a revolutionary process which gives it a life of 70 years above ground. Both Abodo and Accoya timbers are great decking materials, being stable products (won't warp or shrink).
For something a little bit different, consider a plasticwood composite, such as that offered by Outdure. In short, its decking material is made of reclaimed wood coated in reclaimed plastic. It means there is a range of colours to choose from and the UV resistant plastic prevents damage caused by moisture and insects. It's a low-maintenance option that helps stop tonnes of wood and plastic being dumped in landfills every year.
Bamboo is another decking option, with Australian suppliers such as Ekologix offering a range of options using the fastgrowing material. The firm claims benefits include not needing protective oil or painting, and one reason for this is that - much like Outdure's decking - Ekologix features a mixture of bamboo and reclaimed timber coated in plastic. So if your current deck is past its best, or you want to add some extra outdoor space to your home, there are plenty of eco-friendly options to make it a great summer.
An eye on sustainability
The Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) is a global not-for-profit organisation that is dedicated to the promotion of responsible forest management worldwide.
Based in Mexico, it helps businesses and consumers make informed choices about the forest products they buy, and create "positive change by engaging the power of market dynamics".
However, Greenpeace claims FSC has failed to protect high conservation values (HCV) in some forests, saying it must "urgently finalise and publish its long promised and very overdue HCV management guidance".
Another organisation offering information to consumers is the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification - the planet's largest forest certification system.
The organisation works across the forest supply chain to promote good practice in the forest and to ensure timber and nontimber forest products are produced with respect for the highest ecological, social and ethical standards.
Finishes
Conventional timber finishes for wood decks contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are the petroleum-based solvents that evaporate from the coating while it is drying.
These compounds, which can make up 50% of an oil-based timber finish, are the unpleasant solvent fumes that contribute to air pollution.
Water-based timber finishes from companies such as Intergrain and Resene have products with a very low solvent level.
Therefore using water-based timber finishes is a far more environmentally responsible option than using a solvent-based equivalent.
Arsenic warning for pine timber
Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) is the most widely grown crop in the world. There's around 1.6m hectares, 40% of total global coverage, in New Zealand, and it is used right across the building spectrum.
As versatile as it is though, this timber is prone to disease, so a combination of copper, chromium and arsenic (CCA) are used to prevent it rotting.
The downside is that traces of arsenic might be found on the surface treated wood, so it's not ideal for use in places where it comes into contact with skin, or where children play.
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