A deck is a great way to help homeowners enjoy the beauty of nature in their backyard. While it’s an investment, a deck is a fantastic way to add value to your home. For those looking to reduce their carbon footprint, there are sustainable ways you can build a deck.
Below, we’ll discuss five tips to help you create a sustainable deck, integrating green practices throughout the building process.
Building a Deck Sustainably
You can rest easy knowing you did your part to build a deck sustainably. Here are five best practices to keep in mind to help you be more green as you create your dream deck.
1. Choose the Right Material
Choosing the right material for the job can help reduce your environmental impact. Composite decking is made of recycled elements, including plastic and wood. These materials give new life to items that would have otherwise found themselves in a landfill.
Composite decking requires less upkeep. You do not have to stain or treat it to help maintain its lifespan. It is naturally water-resistant and less susceptible to rot, mold, and mildew. Composite decking should not fade, warp, or fade over time due to weather conditions. It takes significant energy to repurpose the varied materials and produce composite decking, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
If you use wood, make sure that it is harvested responsibly. You don’t want to accidentally contribute to deforestation, which can have devastating economic and environmental consequences. Wood takes less energy to produce, but it does need to be treated with chemicals to enhance its natural water resistance and impact repellency.
Consult a professional to help you understand the most eco-friendly and sustainable material for your deck. For example, Florida residents may use concrete because it does not retain as much heat as other materials. It will not increase the ground temperature and, by extension, the water temperature in ways that dark wood might.
You don’t have to worry about those considerations in states like Tennessee. Instead, you want to focus on water resistance, as it can be easy for decking materials to mold or rot due to water damage. Composite decking may be the most sustainable choice in these environmental conditions. You can always look up “deck builder Tennessee” to find a professional who can help consult, draw up plans, and estimate what it will cost to build your green deck.
2. Solar Energy
Integrating solar energy on your deck can reduce energy consumption without compromising function. Solar lighting can charge during the day and illuminate your stairs, deck edges, and railings at night.
Some homeowners even install solar panels on their deck flooring, railings, and awnings to capture more solar energy. Depending on how many you install, these can be used in addition to or in place of rooftop panels. You can power other electricity needs on your deck using these solar energy panels.
3. Add Greenery
We can all do our part by planting more trees, flowers, and gardens. This will help increase the oxygen in our atmosphere while removing carbon dioxide. Depending on the size of your deck, you can add a traditional garden or a vertical one. You can harvest your own vegetables, helping you save money at the grocery store.
Choose plants that will thrive in your climate. Otherwise, you will replace them year after year, having the opposite effect as you contribute to overconsumption.
4. Harvest Water
Decorate your deck with open barrels. This can provide a rustic charm to your deck while being fully functional. They can double as rain barrels, catching water runoff and rain. This water can be used to water your garden or grass, especially during droughts.
By harvesting water, you can utilize mother nature’s natural resources instead of paying for them. Just ensure you don’t have too many barrels preventing the water from reaching the ground. You want to keep the ground hydrated naturally to conserve resources.
5. Use Non-toxic Chemicals
When possible, clean and treat your deck with non-toxic and natural cleaners. Look for items made from plant-based materials. This will prevent accidental harm if runoff into the ground below occurs.
If you need to stain or re-seal your deck, use items that have plant oils, water-based acrylics, or waxes. Composite decking does not need to be stained, which can reduce the harsh chemicals used in your backyard. Integrate natural insect repellents like peppermint, lemon, garlic, and thyme. This will keep the insects away and prevent them from munching on your deck.
The Final Say on Sustainable Decking
Small steps can make significant environmental impacts, especially when enough people do their part. You can contribute to the green building revolution by integrating sustainable decking into your backyard plans. You will feel better when you enjoy the benefits of your labor, knowing you built it in a way that reduces your carbon footprint.
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