Non-Wood Framing.
Custom decks and outdoor structures designed, engineered, and built to perform long after installation.
You'll love the deck. You'll remember the experience.
Licensed & insured · 3-Year Workmanship Warranty · Specialty builder since 2002
When wood isn't the optimal solution.
KDAT is our standard. Non-wood is the deliberate step up.
For projects that demand extended service life, tighter structural consistency, or resistance to constant moisture, non-wood framing offers measurable advantages — chosen when conditions, design goals, or longevity expectations exceed what wood is best suited to deliver.
Predictable, because it doesn't behave like wood.
Non-wood structural materials don't absorb moisture, don't shrink as they acclimate, and don't rot or feed insects. That gives a level of predictability organic material can't match.
Two systems do most of the work — often together.
Fortress steel and Owens Corning® Structural Lumber are the two we reach for most, and we frequently combine them in a single frame — each chosen for the span and conditions in front of it. TimberTech Aluminum Framing is the premium third option.
Fortress steel framing
Exceptional strength, rigidity, and resistance to movement — well suited to long spans, elevated structures, and applications where load control and precision matter.
Owens Corning® Structural Lumber
Fiberglass-reinforced structural framing that installs like wood, with high strength, minimal thermal movement, and no susceptibility to moisture or decay.
TimberTech Aluminum Framing Premium
Rot-, warp-, and corrosion-proof — a permanent structural base. The premium option, fully on the menu.
Steel + Owens Corning, on one deck.
The frequent combination isn't KDAT plus a little steel — it's steel and Owens Corning® Structural Lumber working together in the same frame, each placed where its strengths fit the span and the site.
Before the boards go down.
This is the part most homeowners never see — steel and Owens Corning® Structural Lumber, set and squared for the span in front of it. The frame is where a deck earns its lifespan.
Why upgrade — and from what.
| Feature | Green PT (industry default) | KDAT — Our Standard | Non-Wood Upgrade (Steel / Owens Corning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moisture & stability | Installed wet; shrinks, twists, and cracks | Kiln-dried; stays straight and stable | Dimensionally stable; unaffected by moisture |
| Rot & insects | Vulnerable | Treated and dried — far more resistant | Impervious — won't rot, rust, or corrode |
| Expected longevity | Short — repair and replacement over time | Long — our stable, proven baseline | Decades — built to outlast the deck surface (Owens Corning effectively permanent) |
| Manufacturer's warranty on the frame material | None | — | Yes — manufacturer-backed on the frame itself |
| Does LeBlanc build with it? | Never | Standard on every deck | Upgrade option |
No lifespan ceiling here, on purpose: because steel and Owens Corning don't rot, their real limit isn't decay — it's the life of the structure itself. Green pressure-treated lumber is the one tier we don't build with at all.
A note on warranties. Non-wood framing carries the manufacturer's own warranty on the frame material — backed by the maker (Fortress, Owens Corning) — a real advantage a wood frame doesn't offer. That's separate from the installation: LeBlanc backs the build with a 3-Year Workmanship Warranty on qualifying LeBlanc Deck System installations. See our Warranty page for full terms.
An upgrade, chosen deliberately.
Non-wood framing costs more than wood and is a deliberate upgrade — selected when a homeowner wants the performance and the project supports it, based on structural needs and conditions, not as a default.
Part of a complete structural system.
Non-wood framing is fully compatible with our foundation, decking, and railing standards. When we use it, it's engineered as part of one structural system — not bolted on as isolated components. Material selection is guided by performance and long-term durability, not preference.
Most decks are KDAT. This is the deliberate step up.
The right framing is decided in consultation — site conditions, structural needs, and how long you plan to own the deck. If you're starting from the standard, that's our KDAT standard →
Steel frames, finished and standing.
A few recent decks built on non-wood frames here in East Tennessee. The structure disappears under the surface — but it's the reason these will still be standing straight decades from now.
Built to outlast the surface on top of it.
“Highly recommend LeBlanc Decks. Great communication throughout and even better craftsmanship. My deck project had some tricky elements to it and LeBlanc came in with a problem solving mindset. Transformed my old rotted wooden deck into a strong composite deck which I can actually enjoy.”
Thinking about a frame that outlasts the deck?
Tell us about your project and how long you plan to enjoy it. We'll walk you through steel, Owens Corning, and where a non-wood upgrade earns its cost. No pressure, no obligation.
Start with a short form — we'll review your project and reach out. Serving Knoxville & East Tennessee · Licensed & insured · 3-Year Workmanship Warranty
Engineered outdoor structures built for long-term performance. · Knoxville & East Tennessee · Lic #79196