Although designed primarily for more demanding commercial applications like hotels, boardwalks, marinas, and docks, more homeowners have begun to select the STRONGDEK® Structural Composite Decking System to break the cycle of maintenance and replacement of more traditional options. This case study looks at two recent installations in the Southeastern U.S. where homeowners replaced failing wood decks with STRONGDEK.

Like most residential deck construction in the Southeast, the original decks for these homes were constructed using pressure-treated pine deck boards screwed to treated 2x8 and 2x10 joists. Despite annual maintenance by the homeowners, the decks were plagued by decay and warped, splintered boards due to exposure to the elements over the years. After considering hardwoods like ipe and cumaru, and looking at wood fiber and cellular PVC composite options, these homeowners were sold on the benefits of choosing STRONGDEK, with its patented combination of an FRP plank with a snap-on vinyl hybrid composite top cap.

In addition to its aesthetics, the straightforward installation, simple maintenance, exceptional strength, and lifetime residential warranty for STRONGDEK made it a solid choice too good to pass up. While STRONGDEK is more expensive than pressure treated wood, it is generally in line with other high-end decking options.

TECHNICAL DATA
Product: Residential Home Decking
Process: Pultrusion, Extrusion
Materials & Sizes: STRONGDEK® Ultra High Performance Composite Decking System with Chestnut Top Cap
For & Users: Residential Home Owners

After replacing all the old failing structural components, STRONGDEK planks were screwed to each joist through the integrated hidden fastener grooves. Once all planks were fastened, installers cut caps to length and secured them to the planks using a non-marring mallet. Installers reported that the installation time was comparable to installing other hidden-fastener-based composite decking systems and, “once we got the hang of it, it went way faster than we expected.” The homeowners were pleased with the end result, especially glad to have a deck that won’t require ongoing maintenance and should last for decades.

For residential owners investing in premium outdoor spaces, STRONGDEK is proving not just as an alternative, but as a step forward in design and performance. These case studies suggest that the decision to move beyond wood and other composite options is no longer driven purely by novelty, but by practical experience of what lasts, what looks good, and what delivers long-term value.

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