Building an eco-friendly deck is a huge undertaking. From concept to completion involves many steps, putting together many different components and using building materials that you might not be familiar with.

Here are three tips to help make the process easier.

==> Do All Your Research Up Front

Try to do as much research as you can up front. Research the kinds of materials you want to use, your lighting, your furniture and so on all at once.

If you do it as you go, you’ll find that you’ll continually have to stop to look things up. The finished project also won’t fit together as well.

Instead, figure out exactly what you want to make your patio with before you start. Figure out where you plan to buy everything.

Do you plan on buying them locally from a hardware store that stocks green supplies? Or would you rather order them online?

If you’re buying locally, can you figure out what brands they carry? If so, research those brands to see what kind of reputation they have before making a purchase.

==> Use Certified Wood or Wood Plastic Composites

There are primarily two choices for eco-friendly decking: certified wood and wood plastic composites.

Certified wood is wood where its production has been approved by the Forest Stewardship Counsel (FSC), an internationally recognized organization dedicated to the preservation of forests.

The FSC regulates how much cutting can be done in various parts of the world without deforestation. They ensure that new trees are being planted and that wood cutting is being done in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Wood plastic composites are materials made from both wood and plastic, generally with at least 40% of it being made from recycled materials.

Composites are extremely durable and can resist rain, pests like termites, mold and more. They’re very affordable, come in many different shapes and sizes and in just about every color you can imagine.

==> Find Green Components for Everything

Just about everything that goes into building a deck can tap into the green industry.

For lighting, try going with solar lights. Not only do they save you energy, but they’re also easier to set up. You don’t need to set up any special wiring, just put the solar lights in the sun to gather power.

For furniture, you can purchase green furniture made from FSC wood or from 100% recycled plastics.

Even the chemicals used in the building process can be green. You can use green paint and green sealants to make almost everything on your deck green.

Building a green deck requires a large amount of dedication and research. Most decks in your neighborhood probably aren’t very green and contribute to deforestation and other environmental hazards. By using eco friendly decking, you’ll set an example for others while helping move the green industry forward.