Custom Composite Decks in Point Pleasant, NJ

Composite decks are the only way to stop the endless cycle of sanding, staining, and repairing wood here at the Jersey Shore. If you live in Point Pleasant, you know the harsh reality: the salt air eats pressure-treated lumber for breakfast, and by August, you’re pulling splinters out of your feet.

At Gambrick Construction, we’ve spent over 3 decades building for the environment we live in. We specialize in high-performance Azek, Trex, and TimberTech decking that stands up to our humid summers and freezing winters. We design and build maintenance-free outdoor living spaces throughout Ocean & Monmouth County, handling everything from the deck design & zoning permits to the final trim work.

Why a Composite deck is the Best Choice for Ocean & Monmouth County

Living by a NJ beach is brutal on decks. Between the humid summers, freezing winters, and salt air blowing off the water, decking takes a constant beating.

A wood deck might look good for the first year, but within 3 to 5 years the sun, salt, and freeze thaw cycle can cause it to fade, splinter, crack, warp, and pull apart.

That’s why we recommend Composite and PVC decking. It’s engineered to handle the Jersey Shore climate without rotting, splintering, or needing a drop of stain.

The “Salt Air” Factor

Living near the ocean acts like a slow acid bath for your home. Salt residue eats away at standard materials. Composite decking (like Trex) and Cellular PVC (like Azek) have a protective “cap” or shell. This makes them impervious to:

• Salt Spray: The boards won’t fuzz or delaminate like wood.
• Mold & Mildew: The synthetic material offers no food source for mold to grow, even in our humid Augusts.
• Sand Abrasion: Wind-blown sand acts like sandpaper on wood stain, stripping it away. Composite shells are hard enough to resist this grit.

The “Hot Feet” Reality Check

Dark composite decks can get hot. In direct sunlight, some boards can reach over 140°F. If your deck faces south or west, we have solutions to keep your feet from burning:

• Lighter Colors: We recommend “Whimbrel” or “Coastline” colors that reflect the sun.
• PVC vs. Composite: Azek (PVC) creates less heat buildup than wood-plastic composites.
• Cool-Touch Tech: We install TimberTech Advanced PVC, which stays up to 30 degrees cooler than competitive products.

The “No-Screw” Smooth Finish (Hidden Fasteners)

Old decks in Point Pleasant are covered in thousands of screw heads. Over time, those fasteners rust, pop up, and become a hazard for bare feet. We believe your deck should feel like an indoor floor, which is why we strictly use Hidden Fastener Systems and Cortex Plugs.

We secure the boards using specialized clips or plugs made from the actual board material. This means:

• No Visible Hardware: You get a clean, seamless look without a single screw head in sight.
• Safety First: No hot metal to burn your feet and no popping screws to trip over.
• Secure Locking: Our hidden clips allow the boards to expand and contract naturally with the temperature swings, preventing warping.

Our Custom Design & Build Process

Building a custom deck in Point Pleasant isn’t just about nailing boards together. It requires planning, engineering, and navigating complex local building codes. We handle the dirty work so you don’t have to.

Step 1: Design & Layout

We start by looking at your home’s elevation, size, layout, and style. We don’t just build square platforms; we design outdoor living spaces that fit your lifestyle and your budget.

• The Structure: Whether you have a FEMA-compliant raised home that needs a long staircase and storage underneath, or a ground-level deck near the pool, we design for flow. We often create multi-level tiers to separate the “Grilling Zone” from the “Lounging Zone.”
• The Look: This is the fun part. We help you choose the right Azek or Trex color—like “Coastline” or “Dark Hickory”—to match your siding. We can design curves, octagons, or picture-frame borders to give your deck a custom, high-end feel.
• The View: If you live on the Manasquan River or near the beach, you don’t want wood spindles blocking the sightlines. We offer Cable Railings or glass panels to keep your view of the water wide open.
• The Ambiance (Lighting): We integrate low-voltage LED lighting directly into the design. From riser lights on the stairs for safety to post-cap lights for a soft glow, we make sure your deck looks as good at night as it does during the day.
• Lifestyle Integration: We can customize the structural framing to support heavy additions like a hot tub or custom-built pergola for shade. If you’re a serious griller, we can design a dedicated outdoor kitchen area with built-in stone islands, gas lines, and prep stations that turn your deck into a full-service entertainment hub.

Step 2: The “Permit Headache”

The hardest part of building at the shore is getting the green light from the town. Jersey Shore towns have strict rules about Impervious Surface Coverage (how much of your lot is covered). We calculate the math, file the zoning applications, and schedule every inspection.

Step 3: Engineering for Sand & Wind (The Important Part)

A deck is only as stable as the ground it sits on. In Point Pleasant and Mantoloking, we’re building on shifting sand, not solid rock. We engineer your foundation to handle the local conditions:

• No More Sinking (Piles): In sandy soil or high water tables where concrete footings might settle, we install Timber or Helical Piles. These are long wooden poles or galvanized steel shafts driven deep into solid soil so your deck never moves.
• Hurricane-Rated Framing: We don’t just use nails. We install Simpson Strong-Tie hurricane strapping to anchor the beams to the posts and the posts to the footings. This keeps your deck grounded even in 110+ mph winds.

Step 4: Framing & Waterproofing

We protect your home with proper Ledger Flashing using copper or vinyl membrane. We also tape the tops of the floor joists to stop water from sitting on the wood frame, keeping the structure strong for decades.

What Our Clients Are Saying

Here is what local homeowners are saying about working with Gambrick.

★★★★★ “From the first call to the final walkthrough, Gambrick was incredible. We hired them to build a composite deck with lighting in our backyard in Spring Lake, and the quality is outstanding. Their crew was on time, professional, and super detail-oriented. The finished product looks like something out of a magazine. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a deck builder who knows what they’re doing.”
— Melissa D., Spring Lake, NJ

★★★★★ “They handled everything, even the permits. We live in Brick Township, and I was dreading the whole permit process. Gambrick took care of it all and made the experience stress-free. Our new multi-level Trex deck turned out even better than we imagined. The craftsmanship is top-notch, and they finished on schedule.”
— James T., Brick, NJ

★★★★★ “Very reliable and excellent quality. Gambrick built a Trex deck for our home in Point Pleasant Beach and took care of everything from the designs and plans to the final inspection. The crew were all great and John was a huge help. It was a real pleasure working with them all.”
— Robert M., Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ

Wood vs. Composite vs. PVC: The Ultimate Shore Guide

Wood decking is cheaper upfront, and Ipe is beautiful, but they come with “hidden costs” in the form of maintenance. Here is how the materials actually stack up against the salt air.

Feature	Pressure Treated (Pine)	Composite (Trex / TimberTech)	Cellular PVC (Azek)	Hardwood (Ipe / Mahogany)
Core Material	Chemically treated soft wood.	Wood fibers inside a plastic shell.	100% Synthetic Polymer (No wood).	Exotic Brazilian Hardwood (Extremely dense).
Maintenance	High. Needs washing, sanding, and staining every 1-2 years.	Low. Soap & water cleaning only.	Lowest. Soap & water. Impervious to almost everything.	High. Needs oiling annually to keep brown, otherwise turns gray.
Rot & Insects	Good. OK if maintained, but will eventually crack, warp, and rot.	Excellent. The cap protects it, but exposed ends can swell.	Superior. Cannot rot. Bugs can’t eat plastic.	Great. Naturally resistant due to density, but not immune.
Heat Retention	Moderate. Can get hot, but usually walkable.	Hot. Dark colors can burn bare feet in direct sun.	Coolest Option. Stays up to 30° cooler than composite.	Hot. Extremely dense wood holds heat like stone.
Splinters	Guaranteed. It happens as the wood dries out.	None. Safe for kids and pets.	None. Smooth, synthetic surface.	Rare. But if they happen, they’re nasty.
Lifespan (NJ Coast)	10-25 Years (if maintained).	25-30+ Years.	40+ Years (Lifetime).	30-75 Years (if maintained).
Cost (Installed)	$ (Budget Friendly)	$$-$$$ (Best Value)	$$$$ (Premium)	$$$$$ (Most Expensive)

The Gambrick Verdict: If you’re flipping a house or on a tight budget, use Pressure Treated. It’s a good product but expect maintenance. If you’re a wood purist with a big budget, choose Ipe. But if you plan to live in the house for 20 years and want to spend your weekends relaxing instead of working, Composite or PVC is the smart choice for Point Pleasant.

Common Questions About Shore Decks

We get asked the same questions every day. Here are the honest answers about building at the Jersey Shore.

Do composite decks get too hot to walk on?

If you choose a dark color like “Dark Hickory” and it sits in the direct sun all day, it can get very hot. If your deck faces south or west, we recommend lighter colors like “Whimbrel” or “Coastline.” We also use PVC boards (Azek), which stay about 30 degrees cooler than standard composite.

How much does a composite deck cost in NJ?

A custom composite deck typically costs between $40 and $80+ per square foot installed. Why the big range? It depends on the material (Trex Enhance vs. Azek Vintage), the complexity of the design (stairs, railings, skirting), things like lighting, trim, height, and whether we need to install timber or helical piles.

Can you build on top of my old wood frame?

Sometimes. If your existing wood frame is structurally sound, level, and the joists are spaced correctly (16″ or 12″ on center), we can “resurface” it to save you money.

However, if the ledger board is rotting or the footings are sinking (common in Point Pleasant sand), we’ll need to frame it new.

Is composite slippery when wet?

Standard composite is textured to be slip-resistant. However, if you let algae or mold grow on it, anything becomes slippery. The good news is that high-quality capped composite resists mold growth better than wood, so a quick wash with soap and water usually solves the problem.

What’s the maintenance really like?

You never have to stain or paint a composite deck. The only maintenance is cleaning off the salt spray and sand.

Warning: Do NOT use a high-pressure power washer on capped composite. It can cut the protective shell. Just use a garden hose, some soft brushes, and mild soap (or a specific deck cleaner) once or twice a year.

Service Areas

Gambrick Construction is proudly based in Point Pleasant, NJ. To maintain the highest level of quality control, we focus exclusively on the coastal communities of Ocean & Monmouth County.

• Point Pleasant Beach & Borough (08742)
• Bay Head & Mantoloking
• Manasquan & Brielle
• Spring Lake & Sea Girt
• Brick Township (Shore Acres, Metedeconk)
• Wall Township
• Lavallette & Ortley Beach

Ready to Get Started? Let’s talk about how we can help.
Call 732-892-1386 or contact us online today.