The Best Sustainable Decking Materials For Your Deck In Belvidere, IL

Decking Decisions: The Green Way To Play

Ever wondered how your deck choices impact the planet? Curious about which materials can make your outdoor space both beautiful and eco-friendly?

In this post, you’ll learn about the sustainable decking materials perfect for your deck.

By the end, you’ll know exactly how to choose a deck material that is kind to the environment and easy to maintain for your Belvidere deck installation project.

Sustainable Decking Materials

Choosing the right materials is crucial for building an eco-friendly deck. Sustainable decking materials reduce environmental impact and offer durability and low maintenance.

Below, we explore a variety of eco-friendly decking materials, their benefits, and how they contribute to eco-friendly construction.

Composite Decking

A composite deck is made from a mix of recycled wood fibers and plastic. Using composite materials reduces the need for new raw materials and diverts plastic waste from landfills, making it a sustainable choice for decking.

Benefits of Composite Decking:

• High Durability: Resistant to rot, mold, and insects, ensuring a long-lasting deck.
• Low Maintenance: Requires little maintenance compared to traditional wood decking.
• Eco-Friendly: Often contains up to 95% recycled content, reducing waste and the need for new materials.

Eco-friendly composite decks are among the best because they last for years, look great, and are kind to the environment.

Popular Brands:

• Trex
• TimberTech
• Fiberon

Bamboo Decking

Bamboo decking is derived from a fast-growing grass that matures within a few years. Unlike hardwood trees that take decades to mature, bamboo’s rapid growth makes it an exceptionally renewable resource.

Benefits:

• Renewable Resource: Bamboo regenerates quickly, making it a sustainable choice.
• Durability: Naturally resistant to pests and rot, ensuring longevity.
• Eco-Friendly: Lower carbon footprint compared to hardwoods and minimal deforestation impact.

Using bamboo for decking helps preserve natural resources and reduces the environmental footprint associated with traditional wood harvesting.

Reclaimed Wood Decking

Reclaimed wood decking is sourced from old buildings, barns, and other structures. By repurposing existing wood materials, this option minimizes the demand for new lumber and helps preserve forests.

Benefits:

• Unique Aesthetic: Offers a rustic, distinctive look that is hard to replicate with new materials.
• Eco-Friendly: Prevents valuable wood from ending up in landfills and reduces demand for new lumber.
• Sustainable Choice: Promotes recycling and reusing materials, contributing to a sustainable future.

Reclaimed materials are checked for durability before they are used to build anything.

Thermally Modified Wood

Thermally modified wood is heat-treated to improve its durability and stability without using chemicals. This process uses less energy and avoids harmful substances, making it a sustainable material.

Benefits:

• Enhanced Resistance: Improved resistance to decay and insects.
• Stability: Less prone to warping and shrinking, making it ideal for outdoor use.
• Eco-Friendly: No chemical treatments are required, utilizing sustainable wood sources.

Thermally modified wood uses less energy in its treatment process, making it an eco-friendly option for decking projects.

Want to know the differences when it comes to wood vs. composite decking?

Aluminum Decking

Aluminum decking is made from lightweight, corrosion-resistant aluminum. Since aluminum can be recycled indefinitely without losing its properties, it is a highly sustainable material.

Benefits:

• Extremely Durable: Long-lasting and resistant to weather and wear.
• Low Maintenance: Requires minimal upkeep and can be easily recycled.
• Eco-Friendly: Recyclable at the end of its life cycle, reducing environmental impact.

Polypropylene-Based Decking

Polypropylene-based decking is made from a type of plastic that offers high resistance to moisture and insects. This material is often produced from recycled plastic, reducing the reliance on new plastic production.

Benefits:

• Durability: Long-lasting and resistant to environmental damage.
• Low Maintenance: Easy to maintain, saving time and resources.
• Eco-Friendly: Often made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable.

Using polypropylene-based decking reduces plastic waste and promotes the use of recycled materials, making it a sustainable choice.

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Decking

HDPE decking is crafted from recycled plastics, such as milk jugs and plastic bottles. This recycled plastic decking material transforms plastic waste into a durable and eco-friendly product.

Benefits:

• High Durability: Resistant to environmental damage, including moisture and insects.
• Low Maintenance: Requires minimal upkeep, making it a convenient choice for homeowners.
• Eco-Friendly: Utilizes post-consumer waste like plastic bottles and is fully recyclable.

By using HDPE decking, you contribute to reducing plastic waste and supporting recycling efforts.

Modified Wood

Modified wood is treated with non-toxic chemicals to enhance its durability and resistance. This treatment uses sustainable wood sources and avoids harmful chemicals, making it an environmentally friendly option.

Benefits:

• Increased Resistance: Improved resistance to decay and insects while maintaining a natural wood appearance.
• Eco-Friendly: Uses sustainable wood sources and avoids harmful chemicals.

Modified wood provides a sustainable option for decking, ensuring longevity and reducing environmental harm.

Cork Decking

Cork decking is made from the bark of cork oak trees. Harvesting cork does not harm the trees, allowing them to continue growing and absorbing carbon dioxide, making cork a highly renewable resource.

Benefits:

• Naturally Slip-Resistant: Comfortable underfoot and safe for outdoor use.
• Renewable Resource: Cork bark regenerates, making it a sustainable choice.
• Eco-Friendly: Harvesting cork does not harm trees and promotes sustainable forestry practices.

Cork decking supports the conservation of cork oak forests and reduces the need for more harmful materials.

But what’s the best deck material?

Sustainable Design Features For Decks

Incorporating sustainable design features into your deck enhances its functionality and aesthetic appeal and significantly reduces its environmental impact. Here are some key sustainable design elements to consider for your deck in Belvidere, IL.

Environmentally Friendly Materials

Choosing eco-friendly materials for your deck is essential for creating a sustainable outdoor space.

Opt for non-toxic finishes and sealants that have low volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

VOCs can contribute to air pollution and health issues, so selecting products with low VOC content is a healthier choice for both your family and the environment.

Using these sustainable materials improves air quality and provides long-lasting protection for your decking.

Energy-Efficient Lighting

Integrating energy-efficient lighting options into your deck design saves energy and enhances your outdoor space’s usability.

Consider using LED lights, solar-powered lights, or motion sensor lights.

• LED lights use less energy and have a longer lifespan compared to traditional bulbs.
• Solar-powered lights reduce electricity usage by taking advantage of natural sunlight.
• Motion sensor lights only turn on when needed, saving energy and increasing security.

These choices reduce electricity consumption, lower utility bills, and decrease reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to a smaller carbon footprint.

Incorporating Green Spaces

Adding green spaces to your deck beautifies the area and promotes biodiversity and environmental health.

• Integrate planters, vertical gardens, or living walls into your deck design.
• Use Illinois native plants that require less water and maintenance, and consider vertical gardens to grow herbs, flowers, or vegetables, creating a lush, green wall.
• Installing living walls with climbing plants or ivy adds a natural touch and enhances the overall appeal.

These green spaces improve air quality, support local wildlife, and provide functional uses, such as growing your own herbs and vegetables.

Curious about what other deck design ideas you can use?

Construction Process For Sustainable Decks

Building a sustainable deck involves careful planning and execution to ensure that eco-friendly practices are followed throughout the construction process. Here’s how you can achieve this in Belvidere, IL.

Step 1: Design And Collaboration

1. Research Contractors: Look for contractors who specialize in sustainable decking. Check for certifications like FSC or LEED to ensure they follow sustainable practices.
2. Collaborate on Design: Work with your chosen contractor to design a deck that incorporates eco-friendly features and aligns with your vision.
3. Discuss Goals: Communicate your sustainability goals and preferences with your contractor.
4. Review Previous Projects: Check the contractor’s portfolio for previous eco-friendly projects to ensure they have relevant experience.

Step 2: Site Preparation And Foundation Construction

1. Clear Vegetation Responsibly: Remove vegetation and debris from the site, recycling or composting where possible.
2. Prevent Soil Erosion: Implement measures such as using silt fences or retaining walls to prevent soil erosion.
3. Use Eco-Friendly Foundations: Opt for helical piers or low-impact concrete to minimize environmental damage.
4. Ensure Stability: Make sure the foundation is solid and environmentally friendly to support your deck.

Step 3: Decking Installation And Finishing Touches

1. Install Sustainable Materials: Follow manufacturer guidelines to install composite decking, bamboo decking, or other sustainable materials.
2. Choose Eco-Friendly Fasteners: Use stainless steel or aluminum fasteners to reduce rust and corrosion.
3. Incorporate Sustainable Features: Add planters and solar lighting to enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of your deck.
4. Complete the Deck: Ensure all elements are properly installed to create a beautiful, functional, and eco-friendly outdoor space.

Choosing A Contractor Specializing In Sustainable Decking

Selecting the right deck contractor is crucial for ensuring that your sustainable decking project is executed properly. Here’s how to find the best contractor for your deck in Belvidere, IL.

Researching Contractors

Look for contractors who have experience and expertise in sustainable deck building.

Look for certifications such as FSC or LEED, check if the contractor has a history of working with sustainable decking materials, and read reviews and testimonials from previous clients. Certifications and affiliations with green building organizations can be good indicators of their commitment to eco-friendly practices.

Thorough research will help you find a contractor who aligns with your sustainability goals.

Communication And Portfolio Review

Maintaining open communication with your contractor and reviewing their portfolio are essential steps to ensure a successful project. Clearly communicate your sustainability goals and preferences, and ask to see examples of previous projects that used sustainable materials.

Ensuring that the contractor understands and aligns with your vision helps you assess the quality of their work and their commitment to sustainability.

Build A Deck That’s Good For Your Family And The Planet With Hard Decks

At Hard Decks, we specialize in creating sustainable decks that perfectly align with your eco-friendly vision. Our expertise ensures that your deck construction needs are met with top-quality materials and exceptional craftsmanship.

Ready to transform your outdoor space into an eco-friendly haven? Fill out our contact form today, or give us a call to start your sustainable decking project!