The Eco-Friendly Alternative to Tropical Wood
Sonoma County, CA — Overcoming environmental and ventilation challenges with American Hardwood.
Overlooking the breathtaking vistas of California’s wine country, this project required 4,000 sq. ft. of decking for a new pool area and multi-level wrap-around structure. While the client initially considered Ipe, concerns over rainforest harvesting and the technical limitations of tropical wood in low-ventilation areas led them to Americana™ Real Wood.
Performance Near the Ground
Unlike many hardwoods, Americana™ excels in ground-proximal and low-ventilation environments. Garth Leavens, General Manager at Deck Supply Warehouse, noted that Americana™ remained stable where other species might fail. Sourced through Healdsburg Lumber, the dark-chocolate color and pre-cut end matching allowed for a fast, clean installation with non-irritating sawdust—a significant benefit for the construction team.
The result is a sustainable, low-maintenance masterpiece that honors the natural beauty of Sonoma County without relying on rainforest-depleting alternatives like Ipe.
