Utah can have some crazy weather. In the summer, temperatures can pass 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the winter, it snows in the northern part of the state.
The state has deserts, mountains, rivers, and lakes. You can get a great mix of what the United States has to offer as far as climate and geography.
So, what environmentally friendly materials can a deck company in Utah provide to handle everything Mother Nature has to throw at it? You might think that the most natural option, wood, is the greenest option.
However, this isn’t always the case because wooden decks don’t last as long as other materials. Luckily, there are several other options to choose from that can have a positive impact on the environment.
The options below can all be bought locally, recycled, and made waterproof (if they aren’t naturally waterproof). The main thing you will want to keep in mind is where the company is getting the materials you’re buying.
If they’re shipping them from somewhere far away, that has a bigger impact than if they source their materials locally. Make sure you work with a deck company in Utah that uses local and/or recycled materials.
One of the best things you can do to build an environmentally friendly deck is to avoid cutting down another tree. The following options use either no wood at all or a mixture of wood and plastic.
Plastic might not seem environmentally friendly, but it lasts far longer than wood. Wooden decks need to be repaired and replaced much more often, which requires lumber.
As mentioned before, your top priorities should be saving trees and buying local. Vinyl can be made anywhere, and it involves zero trees. It’s incredibly durable and weather resistant, and since it isn’t made of wood, bugs won’t eat and burrow their way into it.
You’ll also spend less time maintaining it compared to the rest of the options below. All it needs is an occasional rinse with a garden hose. Spills and stains can easily be cleaned with a brush and some detergent.
It’s the cheapest, most customizable option, and it’s also the easiest to maintain. If you’re looking for a deck that’s good for the environment, your wallet, and your style, this is your best option.
This material mixes recycled wood with plastic. If you’re on the fence between wood and plastic, this can give the look of wood with less maintenance involved.
This option has become increasingly popular because it looks like wood but requires less maintenance and lasts longer. Superior Deck & Fence, a deck builder in Cherry Hill, NJ, says, “Most of our orders recently have been for composite decks. They look great, and they’re easy to take care of. They’re also very simple to install, so it makes our jobs easier.”
This material is environmentally friendly to make. However, getting rid of it is bad for the environment. Since it is a mixture of wood and plastic, it’s not possible to recycle it. It will end up in a landfill somewhere.
Wood will biodegrade eventually, and pure plastic can easily be recycled. Our final suggestion can also be recycled easily.
Aluminum decking is the most expensive, but it also requires no maintenance, is easily recyclable, and is highly fire-, water-, and insect-resistant. The major downside of this option is that it looks nothing like wood.
It also has the opposite problem that composite decking has; it is environmentally friendly because it can easily be recycled, but creating aluminum is bad for the environment. If you can find a company that offers recycled aluminum decks, choose that one.
If you simply must have a wood deck, the most environmentally friendly wooden deck option in Utah is a redwood deck. Redwood is grown nearby and is incredibly strong. In fact, Mother Earth News calls it “the strongest natural decking material available.”
It also requires slightly less maintenance than other types of wood. It will eventually turn grey, so you will need to stain it to keep its natural color. It even lasts longer than other types of wood. It can hold water without warping and is naturally resistant to termites.
If you’re looking for a deck company in Utah, make the smart choice and go with Best Vinyl. Vinyl is the perfect material for any home in Utah. It can take anything our state’s crazy weather throws at it, and it’s environmentally friendly.
Contact us today for a free estimate!
