According to the Healthy Building Network’s report on PVC in Buildings, “PVC is the worst plastic from an environmental health perspective, posing major hazards in its manufacture, product life, and disposal.”

That’s not some sales guy talking here. The HBN is making this statement because of a chemical used in PVC and vinyl decking called Dioxin. The HBN goes on to say that “Dioxin (the most potent carcinogen known), ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride are unavoidably created in the production of PVC and can cause severe health problems including:

• Cancer
• Endocrine disruption
• Endometriosis
• Neurological damage
• Birth defects & impaired child development
• Reproductive and immune system damage”

Wow…

Why PVC decking isn’t illegal is beyond me. Once you read the report, I’m sure you’ll agree with me. The fact that there are companies out there that are actually selling vinyl decking leaves me scratching my head. After reading that report and all the science backing it up, why would anyone use that stuff?

As an alternative to building a vinyl deck, one recommendation that the HBN report made was to use FSC certified materials and sustainable wood.

Advantage sells FSC Certified Wood

At Advantage, we carry and sell FSC wood lines that include:

• FSC Ipe
• FSC Tigerwood
• FSC Garapa
• FSC Cumaru

Many more species can be obtained by contacting us. We also offer wholesale pricing for those who order a truckload or shipping container’s worth of any of our sustainable wood lines.

Read the Helthy Building Network report on PVC in Buildings.

A Decking that is Actually Hazardous to Your Health!

Take a look at the picture above. Gross, isn’t it? That picture is off pressure treated decking. The worst part? This picture was taken on a boardwalk that many children and people walk on each and every day. Basically, it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Can you see why I am a little biased toward ipe decking? It’s easy to see why. Ipe just doesn’t have these problems and is naturally built to last.

Yes, pressure treated lumber is cheaper. But, the long term cost to maintain it can be far more expensive. Imagine someone getting injured on your pressure treated deck? Can you say, “Hello higher hazard insurance premiums?”

The truth is, ipe decking maintenance issues are few and far between. Most people just apply a deck oil like Ipe Oil™ once every couple of years to maintain it’s natural reddish brown color and that’s pretty much it.

You can search for my previous posts on the dangers of pressure treated wood, but for now…a picture really is worth a thousand words!

Wholesale decking is available for large commercial projects like the Ventnor City Boardwalk.

After years of wrangling and dissatisfaction with their metal deck, the residents of Ventnor, NJ finally got their wish. They replaced their aluminum deck with one made of ipe decking.

According to the Courier Post, “People constantly complain about the aluminum,” said Ventnor Mayor Theresa Kelly. “The slightest moisture makes it slippery for walking, jogging or bike riding. We were completing the boardwalk anyway so we thought we should complete it all.”

That’s not sales talk. That’s after years of use and experience from everyday people.

Check out the rest of the article to see pictures of the ipe deck installation and to read more about why the city of Ventnor is replacing their metal deck.

At Advantage Trim & Lumber, we are wholesale decking suppliers. To get wholesale ipe prices, contact us today and we’ll get your shipping container or truckload of ipe wood out to you fast.