Challenge
When a home in a Castle Rock, Colorado, community was built with an ipe deck, the thought was that the exotic hardwood would be strong enough to withstand Colorado's climate.
“Our climate is so dry in Colorado,” Brian Bell of Banell Custom Decks & Basements explained. “A lot of the custom home builders in the community did hardwood because they thought it would hold up to the climate. And it did not.”
In just 10 years' time, the hardwood deck began to show signs of severe wear.
“The deck boards were cupping, checking, cracking,” Bell said. “I've replaced a bunch of decks in our neighborhood just because they all ended up to be a problem. You couldn't walk on the deck because you'd get splinters.”
Project overview
- Completed: 2022
- Location: Castle Rock, Colorado
- Square feet: ~1,400 square feet
- Designer and builder: Brian Bell, Banell Custom Decks & Basements
- Product: Fiberon Concordia™ Composite Decking
- Collection: Horizon® Collection
- Color: Ipe
Solution
When rebuilding the deck, Bell turned to one of his go-to products that would be sure to stand up over time: Fiberon Concordia™ composite decking. In the color “Ipe,” the new composite deck made a beautiful nod to the original.
While Banell Custom Decks has worked with a few other composite decking brands, Fiberon is the one that Bell recommends to his clients.
“We use Fiberon as our main deck board. I prefer the look of the board and the texture of the grain pattern that's in the board itself. It's a good price point and we get plenty of support from Fiberon if there are ever any issues.”
— Brian Bell, Owner, Banell Custom Decks & Basements
If his team ever has technical questions or needs to enact a warranty, he noted that Fiberon takes care of it quickly. “That is one of the other main reasons that Fiberon is our top choice: because we get the sales and the technical support with the boots on the ground that we need—if anything comes up,” he said.
On this two-story deck, Bell and his team installed about 1,400 square feet of Fiberon Concordia™.
The project was more technical in nature than most builds, as the team constructed a large A-frame roof over a portion of the upper deck that had to be worked into the existing roof line. A sizable Michael Phelps Signature Swim Spa also sits prominently within the lower deck.
“It's huge, so we did have to dig out and pour a concrete foundation for the spa to sit on, and then we built the deck around it,” Bell said.
Once complete, the hard work all paid off. The expansive deck is a true extension of the home, boasting multiple places to dine and lounge. A variety of shaded and sun-drenched spaces, as well as features like ceiling fans, heaters, and an outdoor fireplace, make the deck functional throughout the year.
“It was the homeowners' first experience with composite decking, and they loved it,” Bell said.
“They loved [Fiberon Concordia composite decking] so much that when they ended up moving, they hired us to build a very similar project at their new location too, using Fiberon Ipe as well.”
— Brian Bell, Owner, Banell Custom Decks & Basements
The Castle Rock residence showcases how Fiberon Concordia™ composite decking in Horizon® Ipe can deliver the rich look of exotic hardwood while providing long-term durability in a dry, demanding climate. The deck and staircase now feature low-maintenance composite boards that resist cupping, checking, cracking, and splintering, creating a comfortable outdoor living space the homeowners can enjoy year-round.
For more information on Concordia composite decking or other Fiberon products, visit fiberondecking.com.