Deck’s Fact or Fiction

posted in: Wood
Fact or Fiction:
Alternative decking products are maintenance-free.
Fiction:
Despite what you may have heard, no decking product is maintenance-free.  If you’ve browsed the maintenance aisle lately you may have noticed that the market is now filling up with alternative decking refinishing products designed to hide scratches, remove mold and difficult stains, and restore faded color
Fact or Fiction:
Cedar and Pine are grown in sustainable, healthy forests.
Fact:
And as a result of our collective efforts, U.S. forests are healthier and more plentiful today than they were a century ago.  Scientists know that young trees produce more oxygen and are better at carbon sequestration.  In layman terms, that means young, well-managed forests equal a healthier breathing environment for us all.
Fact or Fiction:
Alternative decking products are “green” because they’re made from recycled materials.
Fiction:
There’s a big difference between “recycled” and “recyclable.”  Alternative decking products are indeed made from recycled products along with other petroleum-based products.  But the vast majority are not recyclable and will end up in a landfill.
Fact or Fiction:
Wood decking needs to be replaced every few years.
Fiction:
With careful product selection, proper installation and basic maintenance, wood decking can provide decades of satisfaction.
Fact or Fiction:
Alternative decking products are more durable than natural wood.
Fiction:
The substructure of any deck needs to be made of a product with the strength of real wood.  Alternative decking can be soft and can scratch easily under normal wear and tear.  Scratches in alternative decking are far more visible (and can be more difficult to repair) than natural wear marks on real wood decking.
Fact or Fiction:
Pressure-treated wood is safe to use.
Fact:
Pressure-treated wood is safe for the home and garden.  The environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which evaluates and registers preservatives for specific treated wood applications, has never found any unreasonable risk to human health and the environment from the preservatives used in pressure-treated wood.
References:  https://nadra.org/
Check out more information on our website at deckanddrivesolutions.com or email at aaron@deck-and-drive.local