Accoya Color Grey, a product of meticulous research and development, has redefined the possibilities of outdoor decking materials. Its success in securing the People’s Choice Award at the Innovative Product Showcase, hosted by PSP/Deck Expo, is a testament to its widespread acceptance and approval within the professional community and among the public.

This accolade is not just a recognition of Accoya Color Grey’s striking appearance but also of its commitment to sustainability. The product embodies a marriage of form and function, offering an exquisite grey finish that resonates with contemporary design trends while being sourced from sustainable, fast-growing wood. Accoya Color Grey stands as a shining example of how innovation can be seamlessly integrated with eco-conscious practices to create a product that transcends industry norms.

The Innovative Product Showcase at PSP/Deck Expo serves as a prominent platform for industry leaders and enthusiasts to discover groundbreaking products. Accoya Color Grey’s victory in the People’s Choice category reinforces its appeal and popularity among those who prioritize not only performance and aesthetics but also environmental responsibility.

This triumph positions Accoya Color Grey as a trailblazer in the decking materials landscape, setting new benchmarks for excellence and sustainability. As the industry continues to evolve, this accolade solidifies Accoya Color Grey’s role as a frontrunner, inspiring others to follow suit in the pursuit of innovation that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of both professionals and consumers alike.

Award: Most Innovative Deck or Patio Products

Hosted by: International Pool, Spa, Patio Expo and Deck Expo

A question that comes up on a regular basis is how long do wood decks lasts and linked to this question is the cost of maintenance and what part sustainability plays.

So, this blog is dedicated to how long you can expect your wood deck to last and also how Accoya® Color can give you great value for money and peace of mind. In addition to Accoya we will look at the two main types of wood that are used for decking, that is, softwoods and hardwoods.

It all depends on the type of wood being installed and how rigorously the maintenance schedule is followed (even the best-intentioned homeowner can fall behind in maintenance). The average lifespan of a wood deck is between 10 to 15 years, but this will vary with regards to the type of wood used. Softwoods such as cedar and redwoods won’t last as long and should be pressure treated first. Hardwoods such as Ipe and mahogany are more expensive because they grow slower than softwoods and they are denser – their durability is naturally increased (but many hardwoods such as Ipe are now considered unsustainable from over use).

Typical maintenance activities include regular inspection of the surface and substructure, looking for joist issues or excess moisture. Regular sweeping of the surface and cleaning with a deck cleaning solution to kill mold and bacteria is recommended. Sanding is also sometimes needed.

Accoya Color is supplied with a warranty against rot and decay, even in-ground installations. This means that the timber is ideal for humid locations such as swimming pool surrounds. Accoya timber has been used for years without any rot and so is ideal for decking too.

It’s also ready to use ‘straight out of the box’ which means no expensive pre-installation treatments against termites or mold and very little need for annual maintenance programs (apart from the usual sweeping up of leaf litter, etc). As it’s a low maintenance deck material, it means that homeowners have peace of mind as to lower costs after installation and a reassuring lack of chemical treatments needed to keep it looking pristine.

Low maintenance, highly sustainable and long-lasting…Accoya Color definitely takes the pain away.

Once upon a time…

Decks throughout the US come in many forms, backyard, front porch, docks leading down to the river and so on. Redwood, Cedar and Ipe have been the traditional woods used in deck construction for hundreds of years. But, the first two require periodic treatment to seal and protect against moisture and of course the use of Ipe is now frowned upon due to potential illegal logging practices.  Until recently, there was little thought given as to what we now call the ‘provenance’ or source of the timber and also the long-term sustainability of this precious decking material.

The devastation of deforestation

Without getting too pessimistic, it’s worth noting that the clearing of tropical rainforests is still happening at an alarming rate, despite the best endeavors of governments around the world. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN estimates that the world has lost a billion acres of forest since 1990, mostly in Africa and South America. The Amazon Conservation group reports that destruction rose by 21 percent in 2020.  Much of this unregulated illegal activity may find its way into the back yards of innocent consumers.

Read more here on deforestation.

Accoya Color is ideal for timber decking projects in the US. Unlike slow-grown hardwoods it is sourced from sustainably sourced softwood that is FSC® certified with 100% proof of provenance. This natural softwood is then modified using our famous patented acetylation process that results in Accoya wood – in this decking product it is also now colored a beautiful grey through to the core…Accoya® Color. To achieve this, after acetylation, the newly modified timber goes through an extra dyeing process in a purpose-built facility using organic non-toxic color pigment.

Important elements for wooden decking are the durability of the material and the degree of maintenance required after installation, most of which involve chemical treatments of some kind or other. Accoya Color is just like its traditional Accoya stablemate in that it’s very low maintenance. There is no need for additional coatings (although it coats very well) and its grey color anticipates the natural silvering of wood when exposed to weathering over the years.

As Accoya Color comes with a warranty against rot and decay, even when installed in ground (a unique feature), it results in an eco-friendly timber that lasts for decades and consequently locks away carbon too. These wooden decks are 100% recyclable too after their decking life, further increasing their sustainable street-cred.

Accoya Color is available to buy in the US from a range of our official lumberyard partners that can be found on the link below.

When laying down or replacing a deck there are many options for the professional builder or homeowner to consider such as the deck board material to use, color, coatings, weathering, plus of course safety concerns such as possible slips and splinters. This is a big endeavor and likely to cost money and effort, so it pays to do your homework.

Sometimes there are too many choices in life, and this is especially true when you are looking to create or replace your deck. What material to choose, what color stain, if any, and perhaps considering other types of coatings too. So let’s narrow down the choices straight away by taking out the composite ‘wood’ decks that usually feature a mix of wood and plastic materials. These may last a long time, but nothing beats a natural real wood deck. So, in relation to wood decking, one of the major choice factors is durability, how long your chosen wood will last out in the open before rotting or decaying.

Accoya boards have been used for wood decking for years to great acclaim – let’s face it, thousands of architects, builders and landscape designers around the world can’t all be wrong! The boards combine the beauty of real wood with scientifically-proven durability that will last for years. Due to its incredible ability to withstand rot and decay, even in water, Accoya has become the standout choice for decking timber projects.

There is now a new addition to the Accoya family, Accoya Color, which has all the advantages of our traditional modified timber but with a beautiful and consistent grey color all the way through to the core. Accoya Color has gone through a patented color impregnation and fixation process at the dedicated Accsys Accoya Color plant.