28 Jan Special Skateboard Deck Constructions Explained

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 ‘tail-break’ tests
– “Everlasting pop” 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 “Quad X Technology” 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 “material” 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 “new board feel” and overall deck life

Real Skateboards

Heavyweights Deck Construction

Design:
– Seven ply maple deck with two slightly thicker plies placed diagonally in an “X” pattern in the center of the deck

Claims:
– 12.5% stronger than a standard seven-ply maple deck
– Holds “new board” feel, pop, and stiffness longer than standard seven-ply maple deck
– Greater impact resilience
– “A little heavier” 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.