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PENTWATER
YACHT CLUB

COMMERCIAL CASE STUDY

AZEK® SIDING & TRIM
TIMBERTECH® DECKING & RAIL

PENTWATER, MICHIGAN.
IDYLLIC RESORT TOWN.

Families have been spending summers on Pentwater Lake for generations. Since 1935, the Pentwater Yacht Club has been a fixture in the community. The club sits by the lake’s unique natural feature: a short, scenic channel to Lake Michigan. Key West, La Jolla, and Kaanapali Beach boast beautiful sunsets and westerly views; Pentwater says, “Hold my Oberon ale.”

Originally a waterfront 19th Century logging mill, the structure was approaching the end of its useful life. Located on (and over) the lake waters, the structure was set on pylons, which were deteriorated beyond repair. Refurbishment was not an option. After careful consultation with engineers and architects and a robust RFP process, the club leadership and members made the decision to build new. Demolition began in the fall, looking to be ready for the next sailing season.

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THE VISION AND THE CHALLENGES

The club membership, the architect, the contractors, and the club members came to a common vision for the new club facility, and yet each group faced different challenges.

THE CLUB MEMBERS

PENTWATER YACHT CLUB

Members of the yacht club were not looking for a new home, but the deterioration of their old structure made repairs cost prohibitive. Once the decision to build new was made, their wishes became known: Commercial building performance, home-like look that reflected the character of the old club; one-story design with more outdoor space; low maintenance to reflect the recreational nature of the club, durability to support the club’s good times for generations.

THE ARCHITECT

ROCKFORD CONSTRUCTION

Architects design most commercial buildings with an expected 30-40 year lifespan. This client wanted more, plus minimizing maintenance in the future, and being able to handle four seasons of extreme weather and standing vacant for many of the coldest months. A key design challenge was creating a durable, moisture-tight commercial structure, compliant with all commercial building codes, but designed with a cottage-like appearance, reflecting surrounding structures and the old club itself.

THE CONTRACTOR

ROCKFORD CONSTRUCTION

The build schedule was aggressive, and the majority of it would take place in the coldest months of the year. It was a top-to-bottom rebuild, from driving steel pilings 100 feet deep to serve as the over-water foundation, to specially constructed exterior roof brackets. Speed and efficiency at every step were critical to completing the construction in time for the next sailing season.

THE BUILDER

C BUCK PROFESSIONAL BUILDERS

Cameron Buck is a 4th generation craftsman that was born to build. In the West Michigan area, the last name “Buck” and A1-quality construction go hand in hand. With years of knowledge and experience passed down, C Buck Professional Builders works to provide the best quality services available. See drone footage of Pentwater construction at CBuckProBuilders.com.

"The yacht club is the first thing you see when you come down the channel from the big lake. THE PROJECT HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS. AND ALL THE AZEK PRODUCT HAS BEEN A PART OF IT."

Joe Guenther, Commodore, Pentwater Yacht Club

THE EXECUTION OF THE VISION – KEY PROJECT PARAMETERS

Hover to learn about key objectives behind the project.

MOISTURE RESISTANT: No issue with moisture absorption and the subsequent moving, swelling, paint failure, cracking, and rot that happen with wood.

MICHIGAN CENTRIC: Performance in the face of Michigan's four-season weather extremes and a preference for design and construction from Michigan companies was essential.

DESIGN CONTEXT: Members wanted a home-like appearance similar to surroundings and reminiscent of the former club structure.

ONE STORY: Membership voted for a one-story structure, but to meet the demand for increased outdoor space, they built a two-level TimberTech deck.

KEY CONSTRUCTION MILESTONES

SEPTEMBER

Demolition begins

OCTOBER – DECEMBER

Foundation, poured concrete, built upon steel pylons – some sunk 100 feet deep to bedrock – to support the structure over the water of the lake

MARCH

Structure under roof

APRIL

Interior finishes, plumbing and HVAC

JUNE

Exterior siding, trim, decking, and ancillary dock and fencing completed

PROJECT COMPONENTS

AZEK SHINGLE SIDING
Get the look of cedar shake siding without the never-ending maintenance and susceptibility to moisture damage or fire. AZEK panelized shingle siding uses varying tab and keyway widths to replicate the craftsman look, but with speedy installation, excellent paint adhesion, and a Lifetime Limited Warranty.

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AZEK TRIM
From simple dimensional trim boards to elegant moulding profiles and smart solutions like J-Channel, one piece starter boards, and ventilated soffits, all AZEK trim provides extreme durability and worry-free low maintenance. Many pieces are available in smooth or woodgrain finishes to meet design preferences.

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AZEK BEVEL SIDING
AZEK Bevel siding looks like traditional cedar clapboard siding but with no knots, finger joints or surface imperfections. There is no issue with wood’s moisture absorption and the subsequent moving, swelling, and paint failure. AZEK Bevel provides all the aesthetics and none of the headaches.
Only available regionally at this time.

TIMBERTECH DECKING
With TimberTech Decking, you can expect the most realistic look of wood (The Timber) and the lifetime performance of Advanced PVC and composite materials (The Tech). Outstanding selections of colors.

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TIMBERTECH RAIL
TimberTech Railing delivers protection for your deck guests, enduringly beautiful designs, and superior performance. Choose from composite, PVC, or metal railing collections. With many customization options, it’s easy to create a unique look.

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Pentwater Yacht Club

The clubhouse is a gift from the current generation to the next. Its expected longevity, thanks to the durability of AZEK materials, is part of that gift. Significantly, it won’t need to have water damage repaired or significant repainting for several decades, saving resources well into the future.

YOU BUILD IT. WE SUPPORT IT.

CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT.

AZEK BIM LIBRARY

Get free Revit files, installation guides, material samples, and more AZEK tech details.

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AIA COURSES

Earn CE credit conveniently online as you learn about sustainability, alternative materials, and more.

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FULL-CIRCLE PVC RECYCLING PROGRAM

Bring our passion to your community. The AZEK Full-Circle PVC Recycling program diverts this year’s job site scraps to become next year’s product.

READ HERE

For our French Canadian Visitors

See the AZEK Building Products advantage on our TimberTech French language site. There you can browse our full line of capped composite decking and railing products.

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