Why is Composite Decking Environmentally Friendly?

When choosing materials for an outdoor deck, composite decking board stands out because they are so good for the environment. It is mostly eco-friendly because it is made from reclaimed plastics and wood fibers. Not only does this cut down on trash in landfills, but it also lowers the need for new wood, which protects trees.

Composite decking lasts longer and doesn’t need much upkeep. This means that it needs fewer replacements and uses fewer chemicals than traditional wood. A lot of companies recycle their waste, turning it into new goods at the end of the product’s lifecycle. This makes it even more environmentally friendly. This article will provide a detailed overview of composite decking’s environmental benefits.

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Environmental Sustainability of Composite Deck Materials

The core environmental advantage of composite wood decking stems from its material composition. They are mostly made from recycled plastic and reclaimed wood fibers, and it has many environmental benefits:

• Reducing Landfill Pressure: Every year, huge amounts of plastic trash end up in landfills and wild areas around the world. The creation of composite decks is a good way to reuse this plastic.
• Alleviating Pressure on Timber Resources: The wood fibers in composite decks mostly come from leftovers from processing wood and salvaged wood. This makes a big reduction in the desire for new wood.
• Recycling Old Decking Materials: Composite decking manufacturers have set up recycling systems that work well. Old decking can be recycled and turned into new decking materials or other goods when its useful life is over.

Environmental Sustainability of Composite Decking During Use

Aside from the material itself, composite decking helps protect the earth throughout its whole life. This is primarily reflected in the following aspects:

Low Replacement Frequency and Resource Consumption

The durability of composite decks is a key pillar of its environmental advantage. Its working life is usually two to three times longer than that of regular wood. It has the following advantages:

• No Chemicals Required: Traditional wood treatment often involves preservative chemicals. Composite decking doesn’t rot, mildew, or attract bugs, so you don’t need to use these chemicals on it.
• Dimensional Stability: Cracking, bending, and shrinking are less likely to happen with composite materials. They keep their structure strong even when the weather is bad. This means that the deck will need less upkeep and fewer partial changes over its lifetime.
• Long-Term Resource Savings: The average lifespan of wooden decking is 10-15 years, while composite decking from brands like Trex and COOWIN can last 25-30 years. In 50 years, composite decks might only need one or two replacements, while wood might need three to five. This replacement interval saves a lot of energy and raw materials.

Learn More: How Long Does Composite Decking Last?

Simplified Maintenance

Traditional decks require regular staining and sealing to maintain appearance and performance. These maintenance activities contribute to environmental concerns. Composite wood decking eliminates these issues.

• Eliminates Maintenance Chemicals: Composite wood decking requires no staining or sealing. Its color is infused throughout the thickness of the board, so it doesn’t fade much from use or UV light. This means that harmful materials like organic compounds and paints needn’t be used at all during upkeep.
• Water Conservation: Traditional wood decks need to be washed and dried completely before they can be coated, which uses a lot of water. Because composite decks are low-maintenance, it unintentionally uses less water.
• Simplified Cleaning Process: To clean composite deck boards, all you need is mild soapy water. You don’t need harsh chemical cleaners. To get rid of mold and stains on traditional wood decks, you usually need to use chlorine bleach, sodium hydroxide, or acidic cleaners. Composite decking reduces the risk of these chemicals entering soil and groundwater.

Learn More: What Maintenance is Needed for Composite Decking?

Carbon Footprint Comparison

A full environmental review has to look at a product’s carbon footprint over its whole life cycle. The methods used to make modern composite decking keep getting better, which results in big gains in energy economy. When high-quality composite decking is made, 30–50% less greenhouse gases are released than when hardwood flooring is made.

Also, composite decking can be turned into new products at the end of its useful life, so it doesn’t have to be thrown away. This also releases greenhouse gases into the air. Even if not recycled, its slow degradation rate produces fewer methane emissions.

Environmental Comparison of Composite Decking with Other Materials

Composite decking offers multiple environmental advantages over other decking materials.

Comparison with Traditional Wood

Trees have long growth cycles. A few types of wood don’t naturally decay, but most wood decks need to be treated with chemicals to keep them from rotting. They might get into the groundwater and dirt. Composite decks, on the other hand, have clear advantages. It lowers the need for new wood and gets rid of the need for all upkeep chemicals.

Comparison with PVC Decking

Toxic chemicals like dioxins and vinyl chloride monomers may be released when PVC decking is made. Stabilizers like lead and cadmium are often added to make things work better. Additionally, the majority of PVC decks end up in garbage dumps or burning facilities. Polyvinyl chloride is not used in composite decks, so these environmental problems are not caused.

Comparison with Aluminum Decking

One big benefit of aluminum is that it can be recycled. But digging for bauxite is bad for the environment and uses a lot of energy. Also, aluminum’s high heat conductivity may mean that more energy is needed to cool buildings in hot places.

Mining for minerals is bad for the earth, but composite wood decking doesn’t do that. Light-colored composite deck boards are also better for keeping your feet cool. It can still be recycled efficiently, even though it does so less often than aluminum.

How to Choose Truly Eco-Friendly Composite Deck Materials?

Composite decks come in a lot of different brands and styles. When choosing items that are good for the environment, think about the following:

• Eco-Certifications: Composite wood decking that is really eco-friendly usually has certifications like FSC. Instead of manufacturers’ own statements, consumers should trust certificates from a third party.
• Installation That is Good for the Environment: A lot of composite deck materials are made in modules that keep cutting trash to a minimum. Because of how they fix things, they don’t use adhesives that contain harmful chemicals.
• Maintenance Guidelines: High-quality composite decks suggest neutral cleaners that are safe for the environment. Also, regular checks after installation help find and fix small problems quickly, which extends the service life.
• Manufacturer Recycling Programs: Many brands will recycle your old decks, making sure that the materials are put to good use again.
• Upcycling Ideas: You can turn old composite decking into backyard furniture, planters, or decorative pieces. These uses greatly increase the material’s useful life.

Conclusion

By coming up with new materials, composite deck material helps the earth by turning wasteful use of resources into recycling. As consumers, the choice to use composite decking is a big step toward protecting the earth. This not only improves their own quality of life, but they also protect the environment. For more information about composite decking, feel free to contact us. COOWIN’s professional service team is ready to answer your questions.

FAQ

Does The Plastic Content in Composite Wood Decking Pollute The Environment?

Modern composite wood decking uses advanced co-extrusion technology and recipes. This makes it much less likely that plastic will leak out. It’s not just a loose mix of plastic parts. Also, many goods have designs that are fully enclosed, which keeps plastic materials from being directly exposed to the environment. Because of this, good composite decking doesn’t harm the earth.

Does Composite Decking Release Harmful Gases in Hot Climates?

When used normally, composite wood decking doesn’t give off any dangerous gases. The temperature range it can handle is from -40°C to 60°C, and it will stay stable over time. At high temperatures, premium composite decking has very low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, which means it meets guidelines for indoor air quality.

Does Composite Decking Produce Toxic Gases When Burning?

Composite decking meets international building code fire safety requirements. Flame retardants are added to high-end goods to make them less likely to catch fire. Even when composite decking is burned, it doesn’t make highly poisonous chemicals like hydrogen chloride or dioxins.

But when installing, you should always follow the area building codes. Keep the decks away from sources of fire at all times. Choose items that have clear labels that show their fire ratings.

Is Composite Decking Environmentally Friendly in Extreme Climate Regions?

In harsh regions, the environmental benefits of composite decking stand out even more. When it comes to freeze-thaw cycles, it is more durable than wood. It doesn’t need any special winter treatments like wood does, and it doesn’t need to be replaced early or lose materials because it cracks when it freezes.

When it comes to protecting against termites and mold, composite decking is much better than real wood in hot, humid places. As a result, it gets rid of the need for regular upkeep and chemical treatments.