In Minnesota, water is more than a backdrop. It’s a rhythm that sets the pace of daily life. From crisp morning plunges to slow evenings in the sauna, it’s woven into how we reset and recharge. Outdoor spaces increasingly reflect that rhythm, with decks, docks and patios becoming extensions of wellness routines. Yet one key element often goes unnoticed in their design: the importance of slip resistance.
Photography provided by Deckorators
As more homeowners embrace water-centric living and decks become destinations, anchoring everything from plunge pools and hot tubs to docks and spas, the surfaces we walk on matter more than ever. No one knows this better than Deckorators, a Michigan-based company that’s been leading the decking industry with innovative and luxury low-maintenance products since 1998. Their expert team understands that the right materials can preserve that sense of peace without compromising safety. Thoughtful performance-driven design helps ensure that every moment by the water, whether on a dock, deck or patio, is as secure as it is soothing.
Enter a new generation of advanced decking materials that are engineered for life at the water’s edge. With slip-resistant finishes, thermal stability and low-maintenance performance, today’s composite decking — like the kind offered by Deckorators — offers more than good looks. These high-performance boards are helping define a new standard for modern outdoor living.
Decking That Meets the Moment
Decks are evolving from flat platforms into layered, experiential environments. Whether flanking a sauna, framing a dock or connecting a series of wellness features, they must respond to a wide range of environmental and functional demands. Deckorators Voyage decking is designed with Surestone technology to meet that challenge head-on.
Created with a composite that’s 35% lighter than traditional composites but stronger and more dimensionally stable, Voyage stands up to moisture, heat, cold and constant movement. Its unique surface texture provides 34% better traction than other leading brands, even when wet. For homeowners, this means a more livable space that invites guests to move freely between wet and dry zones barefoot and worry-free.
Supporting the Lakeside Lifestyle
Few know of this intersection of water and wellness better than Jason Varney, host of Magnolia Network’s Docked Out and a Deckorators Certified Pro Elite. “When you’re building around water, slip resistance is something you really need,” says Varney. “The environment changes fast: dew in the morning, direct sun in the afternoon and splashing kids by dinner. At the end of the day, it’s about feeling comfortable. You want to be able to move around, barefoot or in sandals, without thinking twice.”
Varney’s recent project in Tennessee is a case in point, serving as a masterclass in balancing safety with beauty. Designed as a lakeside escape, the dock was built using Deckorators Voyage decking in a calming brown-meets-gray color. The textured finish gives the space a refined, contemporary look and delivers the grip and durability that a family constantly transitioning between land and water needs. “It’s about creating an environment that invites you in,” Varney adds. “When the surface feels safe and comfortable, it sets the tone for the whole experience.”
Wellness Starts with Strong Design
On a recent project, Certified Pro Elite Sean Collinsgru was tasked with designing a cohesive, restorative backyard wellness space with safety at the forefront. His final design was complete with a hot tub, cold plunge and fire feature. “When you know someone’s family is walking barefoot between zones, you think differently,” says Collinsgru. “Deckorators gave us the performance we needed without giving up an ounce of style. It’s rare to find materials that check every box: safe, strong and still beautiful enough to anchor a space you truly want to spend time in.”
To connect each area, he incorporated wide custom steps using Voyage decking in the colors Costa and Khaya. The result is an outdoor oasis that feels thoughtful and built to last. “The material gave us options,” he explains. “We could be expressive with the layout while knowing the foundation was solid. It’s what makes a space feel both grounded and elevated.”
Technology and Materials as Safety Tools
Surestone technology is at the core of Deckorators’ Voyage decking. This innovation absorbs virtually no moisture and resists expansion, contraction and surface breakdown, giving it the ability to redefine what’s possible. The boards don’t splinter, chalk, sag or crack, and the cool-touch surface minimizes heat retention, making Voyage ideal for barefoot use even on the hottest days. And its enhanced traction gives both homeowners and guests the confidence to move freely, whether between a sauna and plunge pool or from the dock to the kayak.
In the hands of architects and designers, the right materials become tools for shaping spatial experiences. With a curated palette of wood-inspired colors and five available board widths, Voyage decking allows for striking customization. Wide planks can create a sense of openness and flow, while narrow widths introduce rhythm and intimacy.
This flexibility empowers pros and homeowners to tailor outdoor environments with precision to match the tone of the home, echo natural surroundings or build contrast through color and texture. And because the boards are engineered for long-term use, they maintain their form and finish through countless seasons of wear.
Your Reason to Stay Outside
The most successful outdoor spaces are ones that seamlessly blend into the surroundings, letting the environment shine. When the surface underfoot is designed to handle moisture, movement and the demands of all-season use, the entire space opens up to become safer, more comfortable and ready for whatever the day brings. Beauty matters, but traction matters more. Because outdoor spaces should do more than look good — they should keep up with the way you live, every step of the way.
