Samuels Group Inc.

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Mon July 21, 2008

For many people, summer is the time to take the cooking and parties outdoors. If you want to create the perfect patio environment, keep the natural environment in mind as well; by choosing products that conserve resources and minimize pollution, you can enjoy your outdoor surroundings while also preserving them. Here are some ideas:

Building material

If you’re buying lumber for your deck, look for labels that indicate the wood comes from sustainably managed forests. Or, consider composite lumber made from recycled plastic and wood wastes. Avoid pressure-treated wood if possible, as it is treated with chemicals that can leach into local water supplies.
For ground-based patios, choose bricks or paving stones; compared with poured concrete they allow better water drainage, minimizing storm runoff, and are easier to replace if damaged.

For more outdoor ideas for your patio, go to the following link: http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/greentips/