How to Get Composite Performance and Natural Aesthetics with Decking Materials

When specifying decking materials for outdoor spaces, architects often face an uncomfortable choice. Traditional pressure-treated wood looks great initially but requires constant maintenance and degrades quickly under weather exposure. Composite decking solves the durability problem but creates new ones: glossy plastic surfaces that look artificial, capped finishes that feel synthetic underfoot, and limited flexibility for custom detailing or end-cut finishing.

This gets tricky in high-traffic projects where clients expect both longevity and authentic material character. Standard composites sacrifice the tactile and visual qualities that make wood appealing, while their plastic caps limit creative installation techniques. The result? Architects are forced to compromise: choose authentic wood and accept ongoing maintenance and shorter lifespan, or select conventional composites and sacrifice aesthetic quality and design flexibility.

StormBreak® composite decking from PJ Woodlands addresses this challenge through advanced wood polymer composite technology that delivers authentic wood aesthetics, exceptional structural performance, and built-in durability without plastic caps or chemical additives. Here, we dig into why PJ Woodlands’ products rise above: 

Advanced Wood Polymer Composite Technology

StormBreak® composite decking from PJ Woodlands eliminates these trade-offs through advanced wood polymer composite technology developed over three decades of extrusion refinement. Unlike capped composite products, StormBreak eliminates the plastic coating entirely, delivering a natural wood grain finish and surface appearance that avoids the glossy, artificial look that undermines project aesthetics.

The proprietary ColorThru™ technology infuses color and protection throughout the entire board thickness rather than relying on surface coatings. This approach provides uniform color from surface to core, offering architects freedom in detailing—end cuts, routed edges, and custom finishing techniques all reveal consistent color and texture. For projects requiring creative installation details or future modifications, this through-body composition eliminates concerns about exposing contrasting core materials.

StormBreak's core composition resists moisture, rot, decay, and temperature fluctuations while providing built-in termite and pest resistance—all without zinc borate or chemical additives. This inherent durability stems from the material formulation itself rather than applied treatments, addressing both performance requirements and increasingly stringent material health standards.

Structural Performance That Supports Design Intent

Beyond aesthetics and durability, StormBreak® products deliver the structural performance critical for professional installations. The material's engineering specifications translate directly into real-world benefits:

• Superior stiffness: With a flexural modulus of 550,000 psi, the products support standard 16-inch on-center joist spacing while minimizing deflection and sag, ensuring the solid, secure feel underfoot that clients expect from premium exterior surfaces.
• Exceptional fastener retention: Face withdrawal strength of 880 lbs/in prevents board lift and ensures long-term installation integrity, meaning fewer callbacks and reduced maintenance requirements that protect project reputations.
• ADA compliance: StormBreak® surfaces meet ADA slip resistance standards for both wet and dry conditions, addressing accessibility requirements without compromising aesthetic or performance goals.
• Installation flexibility: Dimensional stability and uniform density accommodate standard installation tools and techniques, streamlining contractor execution while supporting creative detailing.

Sustainability Through Responsible Manufacturing

All PJ Woodlands products incorporate recycled wood waste otherwise destined for burning or landfill disposal, combined with post-consumer and post-industrial polymers. This closed-loop approach addresses material lifecycle concerns while reducing air pollution and supporting circular economy principles.

For architects committed to sustainable design, the material formulation of StormBreak® eliminates the need for chemical additives like zinc borate found in many composite products. This raises fewer questions about long-term environmental impact and occupant health while still delivering the pest resistance and durability projects require.

Connecting Design Vision with Material Reality

Acelab’s Material Hub provides architects and designers with comprehensive data on StormBreak®, enabling informed specification decisions backed by verified performance metrics, sustainability credentials, and comparative analysis.

When projects demand the authentic character of wood with the performance of advanced composites, Material Hub connects design intent with material solutions that deliver on both dimensions.

For more information about PJ Woodlands. explore their products in Material Hub.