Deck Builder Kure Beach NC | Swanson Construction
5.0 / 5.0
Based on Google reviewsSwanson Construction and Development serves as a deck builder in Kure Beach NC, specializing in coastal-rated decking systems that resist salt air corrosion and UV damage. The company builds custom decks using composite materials and pressure-treated wood designed for oceanfront conditions. Their construction process includes proper ventilation, stainless steel fasteners, and elevated framing to prevent moisture damage common in coastal environments.
Look, building a deck in Kure Beach isn't like building one anywhere else. That salt air? It's brutal. The humidity? Relentless. And don't even get me started on what happens when you use regular fasteners this close to the ocean. We've been a deck builder in Kure Beach NC for years, and here's what we've learned: if you don't build it right the first time, you'll be rebuilding it in five years.
At Swanson Construction and Development, we build decks that actually last on Pleasure Island. Not just survive—actually thrive. The kind that are still solid twenty years from now when your neighbors are replacing theirs for the third time.
Why Kure Beach Homeowners Choose Swanson Construction for Deck Building
Here's the thing about coastal construction—it separates the pros from the weekend warriors pretty fast. We've watched decks around Fort Fisher Boulevard crumble because someone thought they could cut corners on materials. Used galvanized screws instead of stainless steel. Skipped the proper ventilation. Figured regular pressure-treated lumber would hold up just fine.
It doesn't.
Kure Beach sits on Pleasure Island, less than a mile wide in most spots, with the Atlantic on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other. That means your property is getting hit with salt air from basically every direction. And that salt? It's corrosive. Studies show metal corrodes ten times faster just 80 feet from the shoreline compared to 800 feet inland. Your deck is probably closer than 80 feet.
We know this because we've built decks all over New Hanover County, and the oceanfront properties in Kure Beach need a completely different approach than even Carolina Beach to the north. Different materials. Different fasteners. Different framing techniques.
Ready to build a deck that'll actually last? Call us at 910-443-4113 for a free consultation.
What Makes Kure Beach Deck Construction Different
Moisture management. That's the short answer.
The longer answer? Everything about building a deck in Kure Beach requires thinking about water and salt. The average property here deals with humidity year-round, occasional flooding during storms, and constant salt spray that settles on every surface. Wood swells. Metal corrodes. Regular composite materials fade and crack.
We've noticed that newer homes in Kure Beach—especially the ones built after 2010 along Fort Fisher Boulevard—already have elevated foundations because of FEMA flood zone requirements. That's smart. But your deck needs to be elevated too, with proper spacing underneath for ventilation. Air flow is everything in coastal construction.
The sheltered area under your deck? That's actually where the worst corrosion happens. Sounds backwards, right? But exposed areas get rinsed by rain. Sheltered spots just accumulate salt and stay damp. That's why we design our decks with specific ventilation patterns and use materials that can handle being constantly damp.
Most Kure Beach homes are either beachfront properties with direct ocean exposure or soundside with Intracoastal access. Both need coastal-rated construction, but oceanfront decks take the hardest beating. We've built both types, and we know which materials work where.
Our Deck Building Process in Kure Beach
We don't show up with a truck full of lumber and start hammering. Here's actually how it works:
Initial consultation
We meet you at your Kure Beach property, look at your space, figure out what you're trying to create. Pool deck? Entertainment space? Just somewhere to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic? We need to know because it affects everything—materials, elevation, size, layout.
Material selection
This is where coastal expertise matters. We walk you through what'll actually work in salt air. Premium capped composite decking (Trex, TimberTech, Azek) is what we recommend most. The capped layer protects the core from moisture and UV damage. If you want wood—and some people just love that natural feel—we'll use pressure-treated lumber that's rated for coastal applications, but you need to know it requires annual maintenance.
Permit handling
New Hanover County Building Safety handles all building permits for Kure Beach. We navigate that entire process—applications, inspections, all of it. You don't have to deal with calling the Building Inspector's office at 910-458-6535 or figuring out the 2018 North Carolina Building Code requirements. That's on us.
Construction
Here's where the details matter. We use 316 stainless steel fasteners exclusively. Not galvanized. Not coated screws. Stainless steel. It costs more, but it's the only thing that doesn't corrode in three years. We build elevated framing with proper joist spacing (typically 12 inches on center for composite). We seal every penetration. We create drainage paths so water never pools.
Final inspection and walkthrough
Once construction's complete, we handle the county inspection, then walk you through everything. How to maintain it. What to watch for. When to call us if something seems off.
Benefits of Choosing a Local Kure Beach Deck Contractor
Distance matters more than you'd think.
We're familiar with every street in Kure Beach's 0.78 square miles. We know which properties are in flood zones. We know the local suppliers. When you need a quick repair or have a question, we're not driving from Raleigh—we're already in New Hanover County.
More importantly, we understand the specific challenges of Pleasure Island construction. The town has about 2,300 residents, many of them retirees or vacation property owners. That means we've built decks for both permanent homes and rental properties. The requirements are different. Rental properties need more durable materials because of heavier use. Permanent residences often want more custom features.
We've also worked through enough hurricane seasons to know what holds up and what doesn't. When the wind picks up, you want a deck that's properly anchored with hurricane-resistant construction techniques—reinforced ledger boards, additional bracing, secure connections at every joint.
Thinking about adding a deck to your Kure Beach home? Get your free estimate today: 910-443-4113
Areas We Serve Near Kure Beach
While we specialize in Kure Beach deck construction, we serve the entire southern New Hanover County area. That includes:
- Carolina Beach (our neighbors to the north)
- Fort Fisher and the Fort Fisher Boulevard corridor
- All of Pleasure Island
- Wilmington and the greater Wilmington metro area
- Properties along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
Whether you're oceanfront, soundside, or somewhere in between, we've got the coastal building experience to do it right.
Deck Materials Built for Salt Air and Coastal Weather
You've got choices when it comes to materials. Here's what actually works in Kure Beach:
Capped composite decking (our top recommendation): Brands like Trex, TimberTech, and Azek have a protective polymer shell around the composite core. That shell prevents salt, moisture, and UV rays from degrading the material. These decks last 25-30+ years with basically zero maintenance. Just rinse them off occasionally. They cost more upfront than wood, but you save thousands in maintenance over the life of the deck.
Pressure-treated lumber (for traditionalists): If you love the feel of real wood, pressure-treated pine rated for coastal use can work. But—and this is important—you're committing to annual sealing and maintenance. Skip it for even one year in Kure Beach's climate, and you'll see warping, splitting, and rot starting. We've repaired too many neglected wood decks to count.
PVC decking (premium option): Fully synthetic, no wood content at all. It's basically impervious to moisture and salt. Great for shaded areas under homes where airflow is limited. More expensive than composite, but it'll outlast everything else. The trade-off is it can get pretty hot underfoot in direct sun, which matters on a beach.
The wrong materials for Kure Beach? Uncapped composite (fades and stains), regular galvanized fasteners (corrode rapidly), standard softwood without coastal treatment (rots in under five years). We've seen all of these fail.
Deck Permits and Building Codes in New Hanover County
Let's talk about paperwork—because this trips people up.
Kure Beach doesn't issue building permits directly. That goes through New Hanover County Building Safety. Any deck that's attached to your home or exceeds a certain size requires a permit. Most residential deck projects need one.
The permit process includes plan review, zoning approval, and multiple inspections during construction. The county follows the 2018 North Carolina Building Code, which has specific requirements for coastal construction—load ratings for hurricane winds, flood zone elevation minimums, and proper foundation connections.
We handle all of this for our Kure Beach clients. We submit the applications, schedule the inspections, and make sure everything's code-compliant before the inspector even shows up. It's part of why hiring a local deck builder in Kure Beach NC who knows the system saves you weeks of hassle.
Ready to start planning? Let's talk about your project: 910-443-4113
Frequently Asked Questions About Deck Building in Kure Beach
Schedule Your Kure Beach Deck Project Today
Look, we've been building decks in Kure Beach long enough to know what works and what doesn't in salt air. We know the materials that'll last, the fasteners that won't corrode, and the construction techniques that'll keep your deck solid through hurricane season.
Whether you're on Fort Fisher Boulevard with direct ocean views or tucked back near the Intracoastal, we'll build you a deck that actually lasts. Not just survives for a few years before needing major repairs—actually lasts for decades.
Call Swanson Construction and Development at 910-443-4113 for your free consultation. We'll come take a look at your property, discuss what you're trying to create, and give you an honest assessment of materials, timeline, and cost.
We're licensed in New Hanover County, we handle all permits and inspections, and every deck we build uses coastal-rated materials and stainless steel fasteners. No shortcuts. No cutting corners.
Ready to start? Give us a call. Let's build something that'll still be solid when your neighbors are on their third deck replacement.