28 Jan Special Skateboard Deck Constructions Explained
Updated October 26, 2023 by Team CruisinCity
The standard seven-ply maple deck is practically timeless.
For over four decades, skateboard decks have typically been constructed from seven thin veneers of maple wood, pressed together with an adhesive between each ply.
Quite simply, this deck construction gives a skateboard a good amount of strength and durability without excessive weight. However, skateboarders are innovative people, so it goes without saying that new deck shapes, sizes, and constructions have been tried and tested many times throughout the years.
While you can never really go wrong with a seven-ply maple deck, there are some amazing and high-tech deck constructions out there today that can greatly improve the strength, longevity and performance of your board. This post is meant to help you understand the special skateboard deck constructions on the market today.
Powell-Peralta
Flight Deck Construction
Design:
-5 Plies of maple wood with 1 top layer of carbon fiber (Patented construction)
-Extra reinforcement fiber sections around truck mounting holes
Claims:
– As thin as a cell phone
– Lighter than a seven-ply maple deck
– 2x as strong as seven-ply maple deck in Powell โtail-breakโ tests
– โEverlasting popโ as deck always retains stiffness
– Should last several times as long as seven-ply maple deck when used for regular skating
NHS Distribution
VX Deck Construction
Design:
-5 Plies of North American Hard Rock maple wood with 2 layers of โQuad X
Technologyโ fiberglass/epoxy blend as the top and bottom ply of the deck (Patented
construction)
Claims:
– Thinner than seven-ply maple deck (Amount not specified)
– Lighter than seven-ply maple deck (Amount not specified)
– Stronger than seven-ply maple deck (Amount not specified)
– Longer lasting pop
– More chip-resistant nose and tail
NHS Distribution
Powerply Deck Construction
– Standard seven-ply maple deck with two black plies/sections of durable, patent-pending โmaterialโ in the nose and tail
Claims:
– Significantly more chip-resistant nose and tail compared to standard seven-ply maple deck
– Retains crisp and stiff pop for much longer than standard seven-ply maple deck
NHS Distribution
Everslick Deck Construction
Design:
– Seven ply maple deck with a thin plastic film on the bottom of the deck
Claims:
– Long and
predictable slides even on sticky rails/ledges/curbs
– Protects the deck graphic from wearing off so quickly
Dwindle Distribution/DSM Woodshop
Resin 7 Deck Construction
Design:
– Seven plies of Canadian hardrock maple wood with special epoxy resin glue
formula between each ply
– Each deck is pressed in a single-deck press to ensure precise concave of
every deck
Claims:
– Stronger than industry standard seven-ply maple deck
– Stiffer board for crisper pop
– Longer deck life than standard seven-ply maple deck
– 30 day guarantee against breakage under certain circumstances
Dwindle Distribution/DSM Woodshop
Impact Deck Construction(s)
Design:
– North American maple deck reinforced by carbon fiber laminate inserts around
the truck mounting holes, on the top of the deck, or both.
Claims:
– Stronger than seven-ply maple deck (Amount not specified)
– Lighter than seven-ply maple deck (Only Impact Light) (Amount not specified)
– Longer lasting pop
– Longer โnew board feelโ and overall deck life
Real Skateboards
Heavyweights Deck Construction
Design:
– Seven ply maple deck with two slightly thicker plies placed diagonally in an
โXโ pattern in the center of the deck
Claims:
– 12.5% stronger than a standard seven-ply maple deck
– Holds โnew boardโ feel, pop, and stiffness longer than standard seven-ply
maple deck
– Greater impact resilience
– โA little heavierโ claims Real Skateboards
NHS Distribution
P2 Deck Construction (Discontinued)
Design:
– Seven ply maple deck with Aramid fiber insert on the top of the deck
Claims:
– 100 times stronger than a standard seven-ply maple deck
– Stronger, stiffer tail and nose
– 45 day guarantee against breakage
Find these special skateboard deck constructions now at CruisinCity.com!
Flight Decks
VX Decks
Powerply Decks
Everslick Decks
Resin 7 Decks
Impact Decks
Text by Skatetexter.