An eco-friendly deck is a great way to enhance your outdoor living space. It offers a place for gathering, relaxation, and fresh air—all while minimally impacting the surrounding natural environment. In addition, it can increase your property value and the overall desirability of your home.
Sustainable decking not only appeals to buyers looking for decks or outdoor living space, but it specifically attracts those seeking homes with eco-friendly amenities. In addition to increased interest in your property, up to 82% of home buyers are willing to pay more for a sustainable home over a traditional one [Source: Redrow homebuilder’s survey].
The Rise of Eco-Friendly Decks
The demand for eco-friendly decking and eco-conscious outdoor living features continues to rise. One reason for this increase is that more people than ever are actively looking to do their part to fight the growing climate crisis. However, other reasons that more buyers seek eco-conscious outdoor spaces include the following.
Connection with Nature
Green movements such as zero-waste living and biophilic design are creating a demand for spaces that connect with nature while doing no harm.
However, even outside these eco-movements, people seek easy ways to get outside to reap the benefits of the nature connection. These benefits include speedier healing from surgery, better mental health, reduced stress, and increased positive emotions.
Lower Cost
A national homebuyer survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) showed that the desire for homes with eco-friendly amenities is heavily driven by the desire to save money. While sustainable decking won’t generally save you in utility costs like some eco-home features, it can help save maintenance costs down the road—particularly with low-maintenance composite decking.
In addition, the same survey revealed that 75% of participants ranked “deck” as one of their top 5 most wanted outdoor features.
Value of Eco-Friendly Decking
Like many environmentally friendly home projects, building a sustainable deck can be rather pricey. However, the good news is that since decks are a highly desired outdoor feature, they have a good rate of return.
The two main types of eco-friendly decking are wood decking and composite decking. See below for the Return on Investment (ROI) of each based on Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report.
Wood Decking
ROI: 50%
What makes wood decking eco-friendly? Eco-friendly wood decking is sustainably forested and often made of cedar, redwood, or other woods native to your area. While many people assume all wooden decking is eco-friendly since wood is a natural product, that isn’t the case. For example, pressure-treated wood is popular for its resistance to rot and lower price point. However, the chemicals and insecticides can be hazardous to their surrounding environment.
Composite Decking
ROI: 40%
What makes composite decking eco-friendly? Eco-friendly composite decking is made from recycled plastic and wood bits that would otherwise be destined for the landfill. Composite decking is also known for its longevity, keeping it in use longer and requiring less reparations and replacement material.
Selecting and Maintaining Eco-Friendly Decking
After choosing your deck’s location, size, and design, you will need to pick decking materials.
We suggest deciding between the two main types of eco-friendly decking—composite and wood—and going from there. The chart below breaks down the pros and cons of these top sustainable decking options.
| Eco-friendly Composite Decking | Eco-friendly Wood Decking | |
| Lifespan | 25+ years Its long life keeps materials out of the landfill longer. However, it can’t be repurposed once it hits its end of life. | 10 – 15 years Must be replaced much sooner than composite decking. At the end of its life, the wood can be reused as mulch or composted. |
| Material | Made from 80%+ plastic and wood waste to help divert landfill waste. Brands like Trex take this step further—using 95% repurposed materials. | Made from natural wood. Local wood has the least impact, but if considering exotics like ipe or teak, ensure it is certified sustainable by an organization like the Forest Stewardship Council. |
| Forest Impact | Preserves forestry. | Trees can grow back if harvested sustainably. |
| Scraps | Often, it has fewer scraps because deck boards are a uniform size. Some scraps can be repurposed into plant coasters and other outdoor projects, but many end up in landfills. | Often produces more scraps than composite. However, wood scraps can often be reused or composted. |
| Cleaning & Maintenance | No resealing. Doesn’t require any chemical cleaners—soap and water will often do. | Requires seasonal resealing or refinishing to maintain the aesthetic and wood’s integrity. May need a chemical cleaner for spots with mildew or rot. |
| Board Replacement | Boards infrequently need to be changed since they aren’t susceptible to rot or mold. | Boards have to be occasionally changed out due to wear and decomposition. Wet or damp climates increase this frequency. |
Attracting Eco-Minded Homebuyers
Green decks aren’t a passing trend. As younger generations enter the housing market, the high desire for eco-friendly home amenities—like sustainable decks—is projected to continue.
To attract eco-minded homebuyers with your deck, try the following.
Complimentary Outdoor Features
Consider other eco-friendly features that complement your new deck. This may include rain barrels that collect runoff from the decking to water the garden or using drought-tolerant landscaping. A wood stove or firepit is also a good option to enhance your outdoor space’s usage and up the eco-friendly appeal.
Sustainable Deck Décor
Your décor should be something you enjoy while you own your home. However, if you can find décor you love that will also perform well during resale, that’s the sweet spot. Plan to sell your home with furnishings? Try long-lasting and eco-friendly patio furniture like sustainable bamboo or recycled plastic. Solar-powered lighting is also a fantastic addition that instantly enhances your deck’s ambiance.
Conclusion
Adding a sustainable deck is a great way to make your home greener while increasing its value. It’s the perfect outdoor addition to help you enjoy your home today while benefiting your wallet and the planet in the future!
A sustainable deck is an outdoor structure that is built with environmental consideration in mind. It is designed to have a lower impact on the planet by using materials that are eco-friendly, such as sustainably sourced wood or recycled composites. Sustainable decks also aim to minimize maintenance, material waste, and chemical usage throughout their lifespan.
Eco-friendly decks appeal to a growing number of homebuyers who value sustainability. Features like sustainable decking can increase your home’s market desirability and attract buyers willing to pay a premium, which can ultimately translate to a higher property value.
The initial cost of sustainable decking materials can be higher than traditional options, but they often save you money in the long run due to lower maintenance costs. Eco-friendly decks can also improve the return on investment at the time of property resale.
Eco-friendly deck materials include sustainably sourced wood — often certified by organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council — and composite materials made from recycled plastics and wood fibers. Both options have their pros and cons in terms of environmental impact, lifespan, maintenance, and cost.
Composite decking is made from recycled materials, reducing waste in landfills and preserving forestry. It has a longer lifespan than wood, with fewer maintenance requirements and less frequent need for replacement. However, at the end of its life, composite decking is not generally repurposed like wood can be.
In addition to selecting sustainable materials for your deck, you can integrate other eco-conscious features such as rain barrels to collect water runoff, drought-tolerant landscaping, sustainable décor like bamboo furniture, and solar-powered lighting.
Consider the environmental impact, lifespan, maintenance needs, and end-of-life disposal options for each material. Weigh these factors against your personal needs, preferences, and values, as well as the long-term investment potential.
For composite decking, soap and water are often sufficient for cleaning, and no resealing is required. For wood decking, regular resealing or refinishing helps maintain the wood’s integrity, but it’s best to opt for non-toxic, eco-friendly products. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance and care.
Generally, an eco-friendly deck enhances the environmental value of your property as it promotes sustainable living. However, the true environmental value also depends on the maintenance practices and the end-of-life procedures for the decking materials.
