Deck and Pergola completed

So it is complete. They are very happy with it and I am proud of the finish product. The grain patterns and colors look amazing in the rain. I am looking forward to future business with them.

Ipe Deck and Pergola

We are currently completing a large Ipe deck. This homeowner had a rotten cedar deck that was beyond repair. The framing below was, to be polite, sub-standard and rotten, and the decking itself was a safety hazard. We matched the basic footprint of the existing deck and added some character. We redesigned the trellis to maximize the shade and keep with the simplistic design of the rest of the deck. I will add more pictures later this week when it is complete but here's a teaser pic.

Concrete R&R

Finally I was recommended to someone outside the O'Brien family. Here the back patio had cracked down the middle and was sliding down the hill. There was also a section of front walkway that was settling and had left a 3"+ lip by the front door. Matching finishes was very important to this homeowner as was ensuring that this settling issue would not return. We added plenty of gravel and compacted it very well before pouring either of these sections. She was ecstatic about the finish product. Someone else is doing the block wall. I wasn't able to meet her schedule requirements.

Back for more

With the new home and no site improvements except the slab out back I was asked to build a deck and give them some ideas for a front entry to help define the front door. I suggested a stamped concrete sidewalk and hardwood deck. This time we went with Cumaru. Priced very competitively with clear cedar Cumaru is a beautiful hardwood similar to Ipe from South America requiring very little maintenance. We added a little shape to the one side to keep it from looking boring. This turned out to be a beautiful front deck. More pickets will be added soon.

Did I mention I love repeat business?

New Windows

I love repeat business. So after the concrete went so well I was called back to replace all of the old aluminum framed windows with new Milgaurd vinyl triple low e windows. The home had no window trim outside and I explained that we could save them quite a bit of money if we were to install trim instead of tearing off and re-installing the siding around the windows. They really liked the idea of giving the house a new look and decided to replace the arched windows in front with square windows while we were at it. I always use Grace/Vycor flexible flashing and add drip flashing above every window we install. We also had to cut down and refinish the CVG Fir trim around the inside of each window. We also painted the whole house after window installation.

Yet Another O'Brien Patio

So on to their other son's property! With a brand new home and Mother's Day on the way with no where to host the party I was asked to add a large exposed aggregate slab in the back yard. This was a tight schedule with narrow weather windows to pour in but we made it in time for the Mother's Day BBQ.

Another O'Brien Patio

The O'Briens were pleased enough with the work we did for them to recommend me to their son. He asked me to replace their rotten cedar deck with a new concrete patio. They also needed an addition to the existing driveway to keep them out of the mud when getting the kids in and out of the car. They were worried about that much concrete looking very bland and asked if we could add a little something to make it more appealing. We added some shape to the outside edge and carried the radius through the step. This turned out to be very comfortable as well.

New Backyard

This backyard started with a simple 10'x10' exposed aggregate slab on top of a hill. This left a large unusable space along the fence, difficult access to the bottom of the yard, and an uncomfortable patio. The O'Brien's explained that they would like to extend the patio with either a wooden deck or more concrete and a Trellis. They also explained that they wanted low maintenance. I suggested concrete and a handrail to take advantage of the whole patio. We chose an aluminum handrail and Ipe for the trellis for their low maintenance properties. We expanded the slab to measure 15'x18', added a raised planter box next to the fence, added some stairs for easier access to the hillside, and built a 12'x12' trellis from 5/4x6" Ipe. Ipe is a beautiful hardwood from South America. Ipe (pronounced eepay) is also known as Ironwood. It is very dense, and withstands weather and insects better than any other wood when left untreated. The result is a very comfortable, inviting, and functional space that will require very little maintenance.

Adding Storage

This homeowner asked if I could find a way to set the microwave into the wall gaining them much needed counter space. The wall they had chosen separated the kitchen from the stairwell. I explained that to add some other storage at the same time would save them money in the long run if they were interested in adding some drawers or shelves. They agreed with the idea provided it matched the rest of the original 40's era kitchen. I made a quick drawing of the wall including a display shelf above, shelf for the microwave, a cubby for tinfoil and the like, and a bin that would take advantage of the awkwardly shaped space below. They were very excited about the concept drawing and agreed to go ahead with my plan as it "matches our vision very closely". The end result is very functional and much needed storage in an otherwise unusable wall. We hand shaped the drawers and found matching hardware that blended perfectly with the existing kitchen.