2012年9月6日 星期四

Composite Decking and PVC Decking - Surprising Facts


Alternative decking is a booming business. The composite and pvc (polyvinyl chloride) decking industry has grown by leaps and bounds. Companies market the benefits as low maintenance, green (eco-friendly), long lasting and durable. They offer a different choice to wood that sounds new and exciting. But is it too good to be true? Purchasing a product that is made from recycled milk jugs or water bottles sounds like the environmentally sound thing to do (even at 30% or more increase to other comparable materials). Low maintenance is the main selling point for pvc decking but at what cost? Let's look at some of the details that these companies fail to address.

Composite decking will typically contain a plastic resin (many times with recycled content) and a wood fiber (example sawdust or wood chips) in addition to other additives. There are many different types of plastic decking with varying mixes and types of plastic but they all originate from petroleum, one of the two top sources of carbon dioxide emissions. They also use fossil fuels in the manufacturing and transporting processes for these products. Unfortunately some of the companies have added fiberglass to assist in improving the strength, durability and performance of the composite deck boards. Fiberglass has been linked with pulmonary lung disease and cancer and can have similar effects to the body as asbestos does. In a report released by the Healthy Building Network, only 15 out of 55 plastic decking companies produced a product with 50% and greater post consumer content and only one polyethylene. Plastic decking with more than one polyethylene will be more difficult to recycle effectively. So those 15 were more readily recyclable. The problem with recycling plastic lumber is that most of the recycling facilities are not equipped to handle recycling the plastic lumber. This is because the additives and resins cannot be recycled. The result? Composite decking, despite claiming to be eco-friendly, will still end up in a landfill. Composite decking has come a long way but there are still many lawsuits and complaints about peeling, discoloration, mold/fungus growth, warping and injury claims. Production of virgin plastic is still manufactured for decking and that only contributes to the already heavy use of petroleum.

PVC decking is a completely unsustainable product. PVC is made from the vinyl chloride monomer, a known human carcinogen. The production, use and disposal of this material release persistent pollutants that cause both acute and chronic health hazards. The problem is you don't see it but it travels into the air, water and land and lingers long after exposure. This invisible poison was declared a contaminant by the Association of Post Consumer Plastics Recyclers in 1998. It actually interferes with recycling other plastics. There are documented facts that it causes cancer, impairs reproduction, causes birth defects, damages the brain, etc. The list goes on and on. Unfortunately many people don't know this and what you can't see, can sometimes hurt you. Low maintenance is the main selling feature of this product but at what cost? Is your family's health worth it? It definitely is not recyclable, eco-friendly or healthy to use it. A common complaint is the boards getting so hot as to cause blisters on your feet. This material can be easily replaced by other materials. Don't expose yourself or your environment to this toxic pollutant.

Alternative decking will continue to grow but we need to be educated on what it is and what it isn't. Sometimes what is new and exciting isn't better than what you originally had. Wood is still the number one product for decking. Decking products such as ipe decking, tigerwood, cumaru, and garapa have benefits that far outweigh both composite and PVC vinyl decking. They are all 100% natural and require no chemicals to resist termites, mold, and decay. The competition has gotten bigger but I feel this has benefited the lumber industry by increasing awareness of how to keep our forests sustainable and utilizing what we have to the best of our abilities. Nothing will compete with the natural beauty and recyclability of wood.




Learn more about hardwood decking alternatives including ipe decking. Rosi Lehr is a decking expert on lumber and other decking options.





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