Here’s a quick video of Accoya® decking being installed at a residence. Follow the moulding process where wood blanks are turned into decking with the edges eased. Then watch as the Accoya® deck is completed. Accoya® FSC (Mixed Credit) certified wood was used for the front porch and back deck. Accoya® wood is made only from sustainably sourced wood. Because this “modified” wood absorbs 80 percent less water than does conventional wood, the wood is substantially more stable, lasts much longer and requires far less maintenance. The use of Accoya® wood will help the project gain half of a LEED-H point in the category of Materials & Resources, exterior decking and contribute to the overall percentage of FSC wood used in the home.
The new ANSI-accredited NAHB National Green Building Standard is a few months old, but picking up momentum with home builders across the nation. From what I have seen and heard at the recent NAHB Green Building Conference in Dallas on May 8-10, 2009, this program will soon rival the USGBC’s LEED for Homes standard.
I see one major difference, in that you must meet minimum requirements in each section and your weakest section will determine your achievement level. Another key difference, as it affects the timber industry, is that any third-party certified wood can be used, not just FSC certified woods. This allows for a wider availability of imported species that are SFI, PEFC, or even Certi-Source certified. (more…)
The new ANSI-accredited 
