COMPOSITE DECKING - NOT SO GREEN


Jumping on the "Green Product" bandwagon some companies are rushing products to market without adequate field testing.
Just as in the case of FRT roof sheathing,  Polybutylene piping, aluminum wire, many new decking materials are not holding up
to the marketing hype.

Several class actions are underway against a number of manufactures such as Trex, Choicedek and Geodeck. Many homeowners are reporting
problems including mold, water damage, loose and twisting floor boards. On a recent home inspection could see underneath the deck floor boards
fungus growing the size of baseballs. The floor boards were imbedded with mold throughout. It is disappointing to have to tell a home buyer
the expected useful life of a brand new deck is about three years.
Composite decks are typical a mixture of recycled plastic and wood fiber, usually
grocery bags and  pine pulp that was supposed to be maintenance free.  The problem with the wood fiber is that it is not
properly treated for outdoor use like another other exterior wood needs to be with mildicides and preservatives so that the wood  pulp eventually takes on
moisture and begins to decay. The quality of the plastic component is also important. Exterior grade plastic recycled or not needs certain characteristics such as UV protection
and stability strength. Plastic expands and contracts with changes in temperature and will twist and pull deck screws loose if not of adequate quality. Exposure to UV light
can also cause color fading and break down the material.

To me for a product to be considered green not only must have certain characteristics such as;
use of recycled material, low energy use, renewable material and non-toxic, but also must
be capable of performing it's intended use in a sound and durable manner. I am a strong supporter of green building but if the product ends up in the land fill a year
after purchase its not so green.