Did you know that more and more homeowners are choosing eco-friendly aluminum deck materials? Unfortunately, when most people talk about recycling or eco-friendly practices at home, they usually mean sorting household garbage for recycling. After all, aluminum cans are the most recycled item in the US.
But what if you could have eco-friendly aluminum deck materials too?
The fact that aluminum cans are so widely-recycled is no surprise if you consider this fact. According to The Aluminum Association, over two-thirds of all produced aluminum is still in use.
In recent years, many households have made recycling a daily living habit. However, most of us are unaware that our most significant decisions can also impact the environment. We even fail to realize there are sustainable and eco-friendly material options for home building projects. When it comes to aluminum decking materials, there is no exception.
Recycled Materials Are Used to Make Aluminum Decking.
Recyclable aluminum decking materials are different from other decking materials. This type of decking material is 100% recyclable. The manufacturing process has no harsh chemicals or VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
After your aluminum deck’s installation, you will not need to pressure wash or stain constantly. Keeping your outdoor deck safe, beautiful, and traditional is easy.
Deborah R. Huso, from MotherEarthLiving.com, notes the sustainability and eco-friendly nature of aluminum decking materials:
Because aluminum decks are made with recycled content, any scrap from aluminum deck construction is recyclable– making construction sites where aluminum is used much less destructive to the environment. Should you ever need to replace your aluminum deck, you will be able to recycle the aluminum decking boards, rather than sending them to a landfill. Aluminum is probably the toughest, and the safest, outdoor decking product available. “It’s entirely water-resistant and stays cooler than many other deck materials in summer, meaning you can comfortably walk across it barefoot.”
Comparing Traditional Decking Options
While wood is recyclable, it naturally deteriorates over time. However, eco-friendly aluminum deck materials will never rot, chip, warp, rust, or splinter. Wood decking options can cause health risks and harm the environment. The wood treatment chemicals for outdoor use are incredibly hazardous. Chemicals from improperly sealing a wood deck can contaminate groundwater and release dangerous gasses, causing cancer and other health issues. Composite decking materials are bound with extremely hazardous, non-recyclable plastics, so there is no separation in the material.
Stephanie Evans from Green Living Ideas discusses green building:
“In terms of green building, the biggest objection to composite decking is that, although it lasts a long time, it is very difficult to dispose of once it reaches its life’s end.”
Qualifying For LEED Credits
“Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a rating system devised by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) to evaluate the environmental performance of a building and encourage market transformation towards sustainable design.”
Homeowners and building professionals can earn LEED certification points by using sustainable, eco-friendly building materials. This means different things for both parties, and benefits can vary from state to state. Homeowners gain peace of mind, knowing their homes make the best use of sustainable, eco-friendly building materials. In addition, some cities and state governments implement tax incentives and credits for those who have LEED certification. Comparatively, contractors and installers earning credits for using eco-friendly and sustainable products can qualify for various incentives.
Eco-Friendly Aluminum Deck Materials From Wahoo Decks
Wahoo Decks offers a variety of recyclable aluminum decking materials. They’re all manufactured using 45% recycled content from industrial and post-consumer aluminum scrap. In addition, all Wahoo Decks products, including DryJoistEZ, AridDek, Fortis, and Wahoo Rail, are environmentally friendly! Installing Wahoo aluminum deck materials allows you to enjoy an outdoor living space sourced from safe, eco-friendly materials.
Whether you recycle cans or decks, aluminum makes the world a greener place to live. As US Green Building Council members, we are proud to help make the world a better place.
Learn more about deck systems from Wahoo Decks by visiting our website: www.wahoodecks.com. You can also contact us online or call us at 1 (877) 270-9387.