[Greenbuilding] Alternatives to Pressure Treated Wood

[Chris Green]

dantonioli at earthlink.net wrote:
> <snip> 
> The question is: is there a rot resitant, structurally sound material that
> can be cut and tapered? FSC wood? Exciting new composition lumber? 
The Trex-brand type lumber made from recycled(?) plastic and sawdust is 
used by some deck builders here. I haven't used it but it's supposed to 
be workable like lumber.
http://www.trex.com/

I do like RT's cast in place sleepers suggestion. That would probably 
never have occurred to me. Gonna have to remember that one. The concrete 
mix can be coloured with additives for a nice contrast or as a 
complementary colour.
You could even cast the cement around a core of rigid foam insulation, 
and have some poly underneath the concrete sleeper so's the concrete 
doesn't stick to the existing roofing cover. It's a roof so it will have 
to be patched some day and the sleepers will have to be removed so you 
might as well make the next guy's job a little easier. That somebody 
might be you. :-)

Is it possible to build the deck so it steps up a tread height or so 
once you're clear of the doors? [or ramped for wheelchair access... ] 
That could give you some design options and more room to work with.
http://www.trex.com/designcenter/default.asp

Cheers,

Chris Green.