Resort and Recreation Magazine
Jan/Feb 2004 All Hands (and Feet) On Deck
Composite wood decking provides safe, stylish alternative for an award-winning West Virginia resort community.
Originating in 1976 as a vacation home community, The Woods Resort in Hedgesville, WV, has grown to 1,800 acres, including deluxe resort accommodations, a restaurant, year-round recreation, a conference center for groups of up to 100, 36 holes of golf and nearly 1,000 vacation, retirement and primary homes-most with great views of fairways, ponds and mountains.
The resort’s flagship is a 5,000 square-foot deck, Olympic-sized pool and pond, which were originally designed in 1978 by architect Guy L. Rando, who is known for designing the swimming area at the famous Costa Esmeralda Resort on the island of Sardinia in Italy.
“Just as the pool at Costa Esmeralda looked like it was a part of the Mediterranean Sea, I envisioned the deck and pool at The Woods Resort to show a natural continuity with the surrounding pond,” explained Rando. “I integrated all three elements-the pool, the pond and the surrounding environment-into one flowing concept.” Today Rando’s technique is commonly used in various other resort areas around the world.
DECK MAINTENANCE HASSLES CREATE NEED FOR CHANGE
One of the most difficult challenges for Potomac Valley Properties, owners of The Woods, was to maintain the aesthetically pleasing outdoor recreation facilities, while providing a safe environment for visitors.
The original redwood deck, complete with 500 feet of railing and 200 feet of fencing, featured a platform area with different deck elevations and a retaining wall elevation. A bleacher section overlooked the pool, and a higher deck level was equipped with a baby pool.
A substantial amount of time and energy was spent throughout the years to repair and maintain the deck. Potomac Valley Properties had replaced the existing deck twice with redwood, but they were consistently dealing with maintenance problems such as splinters, loose railings and hazardous protruding nails. Not only was the deck causing safety concerns, but also it needed repeated repairs because the boards shrank due to the surrounding elements.
RENOVATING FOR SAFETY AND STYLE
With 15 years since the deck's last renovation, Potomac Valley Properties sought an alternative decking material that would offer a safe, stylish replacement to redwood. The company evaluated many replacement decking options, such as wood, vinyl and composites. The final decision was in favor of a composite wood product (TimberTech), which the management felt offered the best solution to meet their criteria for cost, low-maintenance and overall look.
According to Robert Uccellini, project manager for Potomac Valley Properties, "In the long run, it was more cost-effective for us to use a composite product rather than wood because it eliminated the need for repairs and yearly maintenance, plus, the chlorine from the pool water will not stain the surface."
Potomac Valley Properties selected a tongue-and-groove plank for the project. "We liked the fact that the boards will not fade unevenly, become warped or show access panels," explained Uccellini.
Each plank features consistent color quality to minimize variations from plank to plank and contains special additives to guard against harmful UV weathering, ensuring maximum color with minimal fade.
Joy Johnson, marketing director for The Woods, was more concerned about the appearance of the deck. "We didn't want to use cement because it doesn't have the natural look and authenticity that The Woods embodies," said Johnson. "We wanted the deck to blend in with the natural surroundings, and TimberTech's cedar planks and matching cedar color rail depicted the ideal outdoor image."
Safety was also a main concern for The Woods' owners. The previous wood deck had screw heads that were exposed, which posed'a threat to those using the pool, especially young children. "We decided to use tongue-and-groove planks, because they created a fastener-free and slip-resistant surface," said Uccellini.
The manufacturer says its tongue-and-groove planks, made from a patented formulation of pure plastic resins and quality oak wood flour, offer a fastener-free and slip-resistant surface that marries low-maintenance with elaborate design elements. In addition, each plank contains highly reflective, inorganic color pigments to ensure each board is always comfortable to touch, regardless of sun intensity or air temperature.
Now complete, the renovated deck provides a spacious and comfortable outdoor area for both the resort's residents and visitors.
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