| If environmental concerns will play a role on your | | | | decking would be exotic wood that comes from |
| decision making process then you will probably want | | | | South America. These exotic materials can last 40 |
| to purchase a decking material that has been certified | | | | years or more with no maintenance at all. Woods like |
| by the FSC. The FSC is a third party not for profit | | | | Ipe, Tigerwood, Cumaru and Garapa are some of the |
| organization established to ensure the wood you are | | | | densest and durable hardwoods you can find. As a |
| purchasing has been responsibly harvested. | | | | result these materials are naturally resistant to mold, |
| There are many FSC decking options on the market | | | | mildew and wood boring insects like termites. These |
| but not all of them are created equal. There are | | | | materials also have a high slip resistance, a natural |
| domestic woods like cedar and thermal treated | | | | class A rating for flame spread and they do not |
| softwoods like pine, these domestic materials have a | | | | splinter or contain knots which is why they make |
| life expectancy of about 15 years if maintained | | | | excellent decking and dock material. |
| properly. | | | | FSC Ipe Decking and Tigerwood Decking are two of |
| Of course you can use these materials and have | | | | the most sought after FSC decking materials due to |
| many years of enjoyment on your deck, but you | | | | their longevity and beauty. The demand for these |
| should be aware that they will require power washing | | | | materials is also increasing due to the growth of the |
| and staining at least every other year. | | | | green and eco friendly building industry. |
| An increasingly popular alternative to domestic wood | | | | |