CUMMING - If not the biggest, this is likely the highest double-decker with 3-season room deck we've ever built. Of course the pic on the left is the OLD deck....check out the story on this one. BTW the homeowners were absolutely great people. The best.

Here today gone tomorrow...actually this demo took us 3 long days to dismantle. The lumber wasn't in terrible condition but the entire deck lacked proper hardware to keep it together. The height was simply too dangerous to risk.

We love the features on Google Photos....here she is on her way back up.

So the story begins with lots and lots of Simpson Strong-Tie hardware and structural screws to keep all this lumber together. To the right are joist hangers with 16 structural screws per joist hanger + the 6x6 top bases for the three 2x10 rim joists.

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I love this pic...it was a beautiful morning....

The top level as we build the 3-season sun-room that included a gorgeous bronze metal roof.

This will be a great sitting room....perfect to read and drink coffee. 

Our lead, Armando, installing custom-sized screens...bead board on the ceiling and walls.

The Original deck...it really felt like you had to walk the plank to go upstairs. The staircase was losing it's structural integrity and the fall was too high. 

The Proposed...we can cook AND do a little designing. 

The Almost Done....this new design kept the traffic "within" the deck which not only is structurally stronger but you feel safer walking the stairs. 

More Simpson Strong-Tie software...the only way to go. 

Safety first right?

Strong like bool....

All kidding aside, all our decks are built this way. We're serious about building them safe. 

This is technically what is called a "free-stadning" deck. The deck is connected to the dwelling but is supported by these 6x6 posts & 2-ply 2x10's

This looks great...it really does. 

All done....the lower deck was approx a 12x40' deck

We pulled other team members to help on several days but for the most part it was Adonis, Armando and Josue that lead the way. 

ALPHARETTA: Have I mentioned that we so very much appreciate referral business? Well we certainly do and here are  as a result replacing this retaining wall. The owners were getting the home ready for the market as they were retiring sooner than soon. 

It make not have looked like much but it was a lot of work tearing it down and moving some earth. 

Luckily we had some youth to help out some older backs. 

Then the reinforcement came in to wrap (or build) things up. 

Almost done....

              Here she stands!!!

Looking awesome!!!

ALPHARETTA: It feels sooo good to be referred to friends and family, it really means a lot to us. 

This new homeowner was referred to us by clients we did work for almost 12 months prior & we appreciate being considered. 

On the left is our lead, Jose and Raul.

As you can see to the right, this house had walls and walls of wallpaper that unfortunately sucks up a lot of time.

<--These next three pics are one view of the master bedroom. It had two separate closets with glass bi-fold doors and a dust collector on top of the closet (notice the roof line?)

<--We closed the roof line and a closet door. We also had to prime the walls for the new color because the green was too strong/dark of a color. 

<---What a difference huh? 

 

The old master bath worked but it was just too dated. 

We do a lot of drywall work and here we are making things smooth again.

It's all in the details. 

The master bedroom and bath from a different view 

Wonder-Twins Power activate!!

BAM!!

Yes, our homeowner has a lot of shoes. :) 

Check out the walls, corner cabinet and counter top wall

All gone....homeowner wanted a pantry in lieu of what was there.

Bam!!!!

The Old

The Transition

The Almost

The Bam!!!

We're past the first phase on this pic

Something new? Recessed lighting didn't exist prior

The finished product being lived in. 

We tore down stuff, painted, installed engineered flooring, a little floor, made closets bigger, and more. 

We got lucky to find our way back on the river. We demo'd this deck on the left and started our composite build with a beautiful TimberTech combo...

We start the process wit the ledger board (back)....

New pressure treated 2x10 framing

Galvanized joist hangers on each joist adjacent to the 2x10 ledger board - the ledger board was secured with .5"x10" galvanized through bolts that attached to the house band (2x10) - 12 Simpson Strong-Tie structural screws per joist hanger...code requirement

We install a hurricane brace on each joist - 10 Simpson Strong-Tie structural screws per brace...code requirement

We dug deep  and poured at least 5 80lb bags of 3000 psi concrete per footing....pre-drilling to install the concrete anchor bolt...code requirement

The deck joists sit on the of the 2-ply beam...

The beam sit on the 6x6 post and are secured with .5"x6" galvanized through bolts...per code guidelines

The 6x6 post sit on top of 6x6 galvanized bases that sit on the concrete footings we poured earlier. Why? It's a code requirement that prevents water from pooling around the post that can expedite rot....

12' wide stairs on top - 8' on the bottom with a concrete pad - a code requirement...

Notice the post sits on a 4x4 base and bolted to the stringer with .5"x6" galvanized through bolts - when the stairs are done no one will know about this important safety/code feature (no one but us & the homeowner)

We're in Lawrenceville on what started as some deck repairs and evolved into almost a new deck. 

We built new stairs with a landing (the old stairs didn't have it - not safe). We replaced the handrails in the front deck, & built a new dog house. We're doing more work on this house...stay tuned.

We're at The Columns in Milton doing  few post-home inspection repairs as this home is soon to close.

Yes, we provide a little help for a little while for a of things. 

Here we are in Alpharetta repairing the chimney siding with James Hardie fiber cement HardiPlank. We replaced siding elsewhere along with other repairs. Then we came in and painted the home. My compliments to the homeowners for their color selection, turned out real nice. 

This deck is the king for a reason. We took the liberty to be generous with the pics. The client chose a composite deck from Home Depot (Veranda AmorGuard -Brazilian Walnut). A beautiful product, and very expensive. On this deck we installed each board with screwed-in hidden fasteners, & installed the boards at a 45 degree angle. 

The original deck was an out of code cedar double -decker.

It took us a day to carefully remove the attached deck from the dwelling.

We removed and replaced the upper deck first because it was easier. 

We left a partial section on the first level to build the upper level as seen above.

Probably the most important piece of lumber on the lower band. This is the ledger board' - we used treated lumber and galvanized 1/2" screws (10" long) connect two it's sister lumber on the inside wall of the dwelling. *Must use galvanized screws w/chemically treated lumber to prevent corrosion.

Framing out the lower level deck.

To the right is the view from under the crawl space (the inside of the house) where the galvanized screw is attached with galvanized washers and bolts. 

Below is a picture of the screws from the outside. It is on this board where the entire deck will rest on. 

Each screw is attached every 16" or so, staggered.

True to his at, Gerarrdois disciplined with his tools, including his yellow chalk line. This ensures a leveled deck.

Since the homeowner wanted the deck boards at 45 degree angles, we had to build the floor joist 12" apart versus the typically standard 16". 

The metal u-brackets are not only galvanized but also a code requirement. It keep the joists securely attached to the ledger boards - notice each pre-drilled hole has a galvanized nail.

We removed the deck joists because they were compromised. They wee only nailed in and over time they started to loosen, causing the deck to lean down.

Again with the chalk line to ensure a leveled upper level.

To ensure the joists to lean, we inserted 2/3's into the flooring and then secured the joists with four 1/2" galvanized screws.

The line keeps you true. 

We have advanced, the deck structure is built and we'v started screwing the 20' deck boards...a tedious process.

The deck stairs are cut/built on site to accommodate the terrain.

A view from the top.

The upper level deck has roofing material with a run-off at the end to prevent water from falling on the first level. 

If you closely on the left you might see the hidden clasp that connects the deck boards to the deck frame.

Decks must now be built on 6x6 notched post and screwed in with 1/2" galvanized screws, washers, and bolts.

We recessed the screws because the composite decking has a decorative facia board. Had we not done this the screws would've made the facia board look bumpy. 

Inside views of the screw system required by code. Note the metal hurricane straps.

You would not believe the extra work required to be able to lay a picture frame board. It's worth it. 

Lunch on the Chattahoochee River

Gravel to go underneath the deck...a late request by the client, but a good 

choice. 

Thank goodness for youth...

Working on the steps, notice the facia board on top of the regular wood.

The railing system was even more involved than we anticipated. Felt like it was an IKEA product.

The posts are also secured by two 1/2" x6 "galvanized screws - another code requirement.

We installed new James Hardie fiber cement soffit boards & 1x4 trim, then painted it to it's original HOA approved color. 

                                                            Here it is waiting on furniture. 

 

Before

After

                 

                           

                                            Before

After

What exactly is that we do? We provide a little help for a little while for a lot of things. From home improvements & home repairs, to moving services, handyman help, exterior house painting and more.