DECKING, BLEACHERS AND BOARDWALK, WILD DUNES RESORT, Isle of Palms, S.C.
RETROFIT TEAM
DECKING, BLEACHERS AND BOARDWALK INSTALLER: Krueger Construction, (843) 696-9916
SUPPLIER: Lowe’s
MATERIALS
Isle of Palms is located off the coast of Charleston, S.C., and is home to Wild Dunes Resort, a Hyatt gated community with beautiful beaches, world-class golfing and the award-winning Wild Dunes Tennis Center. The property’s amenities are connected by boardwalk paths that wind through much of the retreat’s oceanfront sites and attractions.
Recently, Wild Dunes management reached out to Joel Krueger, owner of Krueger Construction, to assess the structural integrity of the resort’s boardwalk system, as well as the bleachers next to the Tennis Center’s main court.
“The pressure-treated wood used to build the boardwalk and bleachers was decades old and in constant need of repair,” Krueger explains. “Facility management agreed it was best to replace the existing structures with a composite material that would last for years with minimal maintenance.”
While considering several products at his local Lowe’s store, Krueger discovered MoistureShield Vantage decking, an uncapped wood composite board with a matte finish that evokes the look of real hardwood and has similar workability. Krueger learned it can stand up to the elements for more than 30 years with no structural field failures.
“The blazing sun, change in temperatures and saltwater can really take a toll on exterior wood products,” Krueger notes. “We were instantly impressed with Vantage’s ability to withstand a seacoast climate, like ours. We certainly didn’t want to install anything we had to stain, paint or repair on a regular basis. Affordable, clean and lower-maintenance were all the key selling points that made this an easy decision for our Wild Dunes clients.”
“The boardwalk and tennis bleachers are essential to our fabulous getaway experience,” comments Roger Martin, Wild Dunes Resort’s facility manager. “Tens of thousands of visitors travel back and forth on the boardwalk pathways while spectators regularly use our Tennis Center to watch matches, enjoy refreshments and have a good time. Both are integral to the outstanding services and comforts that our visitors and residents have come to expect, so we wanted a top-quality material. We were immediately impressed by the durability and aesthetic of the MoistureShield Vantage decking.”
The project began with the complete renovation of the Tennis Center, ranked a U.S. top-10 resort by Tennis magazine for the past decade. Featuring 12 clay courts, the main court is used for celebrity and professional matches throughout the year. The renovation included a new underlying structure with MoistureShield Vantage decking, face-fastened with color-matching screws and four levels of Vantage bleacher seats. Totaling approximately 9,000 square feet, the job was completed in about three months by a five-man crew from Krueger Construction.
“It turned out great,” Krueger says. “Everyone loved the look, feel and comfort of the new bleachers, as well as the deck, which was designed with bench seating, tables and chairs so parties could be held. In fact, the clients loved the Vantage decking and Cape Cod Gray color so much they decided to use the same decking to replace the resort’s luxury boardwalk.”
For nearly 40 years, the boardwalk’s winding pathway has interconnected the resort’s AAA Four Diamond Boardwalk Inn Hotel to the oceanfront beach, Grand Pavilion, townhomes, two large ocean- front pools, and popular Beachside Burgers & Bar.
Starting in January 2021, the boardwalk’s entire reconstruction took almost five months to complete. All pressure-treated lumber was replaced with MoistureShield’s Vantage grooved decking with hidden fasteners throughout the 24,000-foot walkway system, including six sets of stairs and one ADA-certified handicap ramp, allowing access to the beach.
Like all MoistureShield products, Vantage features Solid Core technology, which runs through the entire board to ensure protection without a cap. It creates an impermeable barrier that fights dam- age from moisture, rot, insects and other harmful elements. As a result, there’s no need for painting, staining and continuous upkeep.
The Wild Dunes boardwalk phase was completed just in time for the resort’s busy summer tourist season.
MOISTURESHIELD VANTAGE IN CAPE COD GRAY: MoistureShield
PHOTOS: MoistureShield