As we all move towards a more sustainable lifestyle, we seek eco-conscious choices in every aspect of
our lives. This includes our home improvements and hardscaping projects too. Today’s outdoor living
spaces can now be built using sustainable, eco-friendly building materials, many of which are superior to
more traditional options. Here are a few reasons why pedestals are one such material, helping you to
create an eco-friendlier outdoor space.
The Anti-Concrete – It is no secret that concrete is perhaps the worst building material for the
environment. Said to be responsible for 4-8% of the world’s CO2, it also consumes nearly 1/10th of the
world’s industrial water use. Pedestals, on the other hand, are usually manufactured with recycled
materials and can be recycled at the end of their lifespan.
They Support Other Environmentally Friendly Materials – A deck constructed with the help of pedestals
is usually surfaced with porcelain pavers. Porcelain pavers are environmentally friendly and undoubtedly
more environmentally friendly than concrete pavers or wood. Some porcelain tiles, like those
manufactured by Del Conca USA, are covered by the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). The EPD
recognizes that North American-made tile has the lowest environmental impact across all impact
categories. This includes the lowest Global Warming Potential and the lowest Fossil Fuel Resource
Depletion. Stone deck surfaces are often made with recycled materials and can be further recycled or
crushed into aggregate once you’re finished with them.
No Chemicals – A wood deck built with pressure-treated lumber can leach chemicals and insecticides
into the soil. When it eventually requires replacement, the wood is not safe to burn and is difficult to
reuse. Composite, while often manufactured with recycled materials, can emit formaldehyde. Pedestals,
on the other hand, will last a lifetime, and should you grow tired of them, they can be easily recycled.
Pedestal systems also require no water, glue or adhesives during the installation stage and do not
release dust or substances harmful to the environment during their entire use phase.
Longevity – A pedestal system will last a lifetime. This means it will reduce your environmental impact
through less landfill waste and replacement cycles.
LEED-Worthy – Some pedestal systems are considered so environmentally friendly; they are eligible for
LEED credits. For example, PAVE-EL pedestals have been deemed:
Product is more water-efficient than similar products
– Product is more durable or requires less maintenance than similar products
– Product is recyclable or biodegradable after use
– Product contributes to LEED 2009 or LEED V4 credits
Lightweight – Because pedestals are so lightweight, the impact of their transportation is less than other materials.
When planning to build an eco-friendly deck, look for sustainable materials that require less energy to
produce and those that do not negatively impact the environment in their sourcing. Seek out materials
that have a long lifespan, require minimal or no maintenance, do not release toxic chemicals and require
less energy to produce.
If you’re seeking an environmentally friendly decking solution, pedestal systems fit the bill perfectly.
These environmentally responsible decking materials offer new ways to use existing materials to create
a brighter, cleaner future.
