When it comes to decking, finding an affordable, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing product can be a real challenge. A number of commercial and residential customers look to composite products for a supposedly “green” solution when they want to install a new deck. According to composite decking manufacturers, their products are less expensive and more environmentally friendly.
But are these commonly repeated selling points actually accurate? Many in the timber industry would disagree. Since both sides have a vested interest in promoting their products, how can consumers arrive at the truth?
Perhaps the best way would be to look at the case being made by both sides and weigh the pros and cons of both. Those who sell wood decking products have an exciting option to offer that you may not have considered before called Ipanema Decking. This article series will serve to introduce you to this product so you can make an informed decision about the decking option that will best meet your needs and budget.
Are Composites Really More Environmentally Friendly than Wood Decking Products?
Basically, the argument for composite products is that they provide a way of recycling the environmental waste produced by other industries. But that end doesn’t necessarily justify the means. Though there are some high-quality composites on the market today, some of the less expensive ones are still of low quality and tend to wear out more quickly than durable wood decking made from tropical lumber. Tropical decking boards that wear out can be replaced individually and color matching usually isn’t a huge problem.
When it comes to composite boards, however, it’s very difficult to match the color as each batch tends to be slightly different in shade. Though composite decking is marketed as a recyclable product, there are plenty of these “recyclable” decking products sitting around in landfills that have never actually been recycled. This is a major problem, as composites, which were originally touted as “green” products, are actually not biodegradable, unlike wood decking.
Composites are Among the Most Expensive Decking Products
Not only is there reason to believe that composites aren’t as eco-friendly as their proponents claim, but they are also expensive. When you look at composite’s overall durability in the long run compared to a top quality tropical hardwood such as Ipe, this high price point may not make good financial sense. As anyone who has explored the different decking alternatives would know, however, Ipe also isn’t cheap. In fact, depending on the amount of supply and demand, Ipe may be completely out of reach for many people’s budgets.
Ipanema Decking Could be the Ideal for Your Decking Needs
So what alternative is left for someone who doesn’t want to go the composite decking route but can’t afford Ipe? That’s where Ipanema Decking comes into the picture. In the rest of this series, we’ll take a look at some of the key advantages of this natural wood decking product. If you love the look of Ipe but you don’t think you can afford it, Ipanema Decking may be just the right product for you.
Continue reading with Part 2.
