Create an ecological terrace

Ecological terrace: choose certified local wood

No ecological terrace without ecological wood . So, for the floor of your ecological wooden terrace and for the furniture – if you choose new ones – opt for certified local wood , from sustainably managed forests ( PEFC and FSC labels ).

Forget teak decking and other exotic woods. While they look pretty and may be moisture resistant, they are not environmentally friendly at all. Exotic woods travel many kilometers before arriving in our shops (high carbon footprint); and the conditions for growing and transforming trees into furniture or boards for terraces are not always respectful of the environment or the people who work.

Also forget materials from petrochemicals (the composite found for terraces is often a plastic-based mixture, in particular).

Namely: the different types of wood are more or less resistant to insects and fungi. They are classified from 1 (class 1, high resistance therefore high durability) to 5 (little or no resistance therefore little or no durability). For a terrace, choose wood that is resistant to humidity and to insects and fungi.

Therefore, for the floor of your ecological terrace, prefer: new certified and local wood, second-hand wood or porcelain stoneware (clay-based), an ecological terrace coating that can imitate wood (and not any material).

Ecological terrace: using solar energy

To illuminate your terrace, use solar energy . There are solar lights in all shapes and styles to match your outdoor decor. The lamps are equipped with small solar panels which supply the lamp with electricity. All you have to do is put them on the terrace! No connection to be made.

Chandeliers, garlands or table lamps… Prefer them with a switch that will allow them to be turned off at night so as not to disturb the fauna of the garden.

Also think about natural candles that can light up the terrace a little and bring a bohemian or romantic touch.

Ecological terrace: 100{8911b186dc8eb68cf7477c00c897a45e728d69107c116b7a555a42ac961b72cc} recycled decoration

100{8911b186dc8eb68cf7477c00c897a45e728d69107c116b7a555a42ac961b72cc} recycled furniture on the terrace is ecological, economical and ultra trendy. You will easily find all the outdoor furniture you need second hand .

Hunt around at second-hand goods dealers (in their shops or online), consult the announcements of sales between individuals, search the bulky items…

You will find tables, benches, chairs and recycled shelves… And pots for your plants. Or even wood to create your terrace. Pallets for the floor of the terrace or to make furniture (sofa, coffee table, green wall…).

Then add a second-hand carpet, second-hand vases and mirrors, curtains or a wooden pergola (on which you will run climbing plants to create shade in summer).

Ecological terrace: think about plants

An ecological terrace decoration gives pride of place to plants , of course.

Choose pots, bins and other containers of all kinds that you divert (of different shapes and colors). And put plants there.

To plant  well: make holes in the bottom of the pots, add a good layer of clay balls (or small pebbles…), add garden soil mixed with potting soil and compost (and sand for some plants ); then plant or sow and water generously.

Choose the right location for each plant: sun or shade , wind or protected place… And think of the right associations so that the plants help each other. If you like to garden, plant your seeds before planting in pots on your terrace.

A few ecological gestures for your terrace plant decoration: collect rainwater for your watering, choose seeds of organic , reproducible plants, favor local plants and think about varying the plant species in order to promote biodiversity ( yes, even on a terrace).

Deco tip for an ecological terrace  : make an accumulation of recycled pots and plants for a nice effect.