Treated Pine Decks
An all-treated pine deck is the most cost effective deck you can build. In the South, the most readily available lumber that can be used on outdoor structures is pine that has been chemically treated to resist rot and insects. There are no limits to what we can create with natural wood. However.... pine does want to warp & twist and requires almost yearly maintenence.
Composite Decks
Composite lumber is man-made using a mix of natural and manufactured ingredients. There is currently (2024) only one company that makes composite framing items. Most other composites aren't structural, so most composite decks still require natural-lumber (like treated pine) or steel for the framing. Even a wood frame will not require any maintenence since most of it is hidden by the Joist Tape and the composite decking and fascia. A composite deck is NOT no-maintenence, it's LOW-maintenence in that the most you'll ever have to do is spray on some outdoor cleaner and then simply hose it off to keep mildew away. Due to the boards being manufactured, there are limits to what we can do with it and have it still look good. But we're pretty creative and haven't been stumped yet!
Docks
Boat Docks, swim docks, fishing piers, or whatever structure you need that goes, at least partly, out into a body of water. The best time to build these is when the water is low enough that we can dig holes and put the posts in concrete. But if the water is never lowered then we likely have solutions for that as well. Check out our Docks Gallery to get an idea of what we can do.
Gazebos
A Gazebo is a stand-alone structure (but can be attached to more deck) that can be hexagonal or octagonal that has a roof and either rails, screen, half-wall & screen, or a combination. Most gazebo roofs do not have a cupola (tiny 2nd roof on top) due to the extra expense and the chance rain could blow in. But if you might put a firepit or grill in your gazebo then you probably want a cupola to vent the smoke.
Pavilions
A Pavilion is simply a stand-alone roof supported by posts that is square or rectangle shaped. Well, we can actually make them "L" shaped or "Z" shaped if you want! We can put these on a deck, over a concrete patio, or just out in a yard or field. If any part of it is elevated (due to being part of a deck, for instance) then it would likely need some railing. But most times it is simply a roof with posts and is situated next to a pool or other place you'd want a covered getaway.
Pergolas
A Pergola is typically just a " shade or framework feature" supported on posts over a deck or patio (or over anything or nothing) where the top structure is level (not sloped since it's not a roof). The beams and rafters can be configured in may ways and with many different end-cut designs. If you don't see a style you like in our Pergola Gallery, then send us a picture from any magazine or website and we'll give you a quote.
We've built Pergolas out of many different types of lumber. We have put acryllic sheets on top that shed rain and provide shade while letting some light through. We have put "shade cloth" on top of many of them which provide shade but let the rain through. But most of them just have our "shade strips" on top - which provide some, but not a lot of shade, but do add to the strength and design. Our creativity (along with the input from the homeowner) has allowed some clients to get a pergola in an area others thought impossible and has produced some odd, non-standard shapes. There is a reason "Custom" is the first part of our name.
Bridges
There are not a lot of calls for Bridges. But when you do need or want one, it needs to be done right! We've done several walk-bridges and we've done some that will support mowers, golf carts, and small tractors. These are in our "Other Gallery". If the actual span section of the bridge needs to be over 20', or if it will need to support actual cars or larger, you will likely need a commercial construction company and an engineer for that.
Roofs Over Our Decks
We build a lot of Roofs over the decks we build. We've had many clients that were told by other contractors that a roof couldn't be done in the area they wanted - and we figured it out. But there ARE situations where a roof just won't work or it would be cost prohibitive. If you have an existing deck that we didn't build, then odds are we will not agree to build a roof over it. If we can do it without relying structurally on that existing deck, or if we don't have to modify the existing deck itself then we may be able/willing to add a roof. One of the best ways to protect a treated pine deck is to put a roof over it. And we have several options for meeting a certain style or budget. But do keep in mind that we don't love (aren't as passionate about) roofs like we do decks. We will do you a great job, but we aren't excited about roofs so we don't figure them with any discounts.
Also..... if you want a roof over a deck or patio in a spot where your house roofs make an "L" shape (so the new roof will be in a corner essentially) then there is a good chance we may decline to do it. IF we do it, your house roof will have to have at least a 5:12 pitch and no other obstacles. And be prepared that we will have to take our new roof way up onto your house roof to get enough slope on the new roof. And we will NOT be doing a metal roof in a corner like that. The absolute only way we'd ever do a metal roof will be if it can attach to your house roof and meet your shingles in a single straight line.
There is also only one situation where we may connect our new roof to your house overhang, so odds are your house doesn't qualify and we won't be doing that. Our roofs connect to your house roof UP ON the roof, sometimes as far as 16' up toward the ridge. There are plenty of guys that will do metal roofs and attach them at or under your overhang, but I do apologize that we aren't one of them.
Roofs Over Existing Patios
While we may be more willing to put a Roof over a patio we didn't build than we are a deck we didn't build, there are many times a patio was poured out of square and that can make us not want to put a roof over it. You don't notice a concrete slab that is slightly out of square. But when we put roof posts on the edge of it, or in the yard just off the edge of it, then that can cause our posts to either be out of plumb or not in line with the edge of the concrete - which shows up big time and makes it look like OUR work is bad. And just like a roof over a deck, there are many ways a contractor can try to cut corners on your patio roof - one of which is to attach it to your house overhang. If you don't want an eventual collapse or unecessary posts in front of your windows, make sure we are one of the bids you get for your roof addition*. But keep in mind our excitement level from the 1st paragraph in the section above when receiving our quote.
*See the "Also...." paragraph from the section above.
Privacy Fences
We even take great pride in building simple Privacy Fences. From the depth of our holes, to the fact that we MIX the concrete before we pour it around the posts, to using string lines to get the tops of the pickets uniform, to using cedar for the gate frames to help them not sag later. It takes us longer than it does most fence companies because we don't throw 10 non-carpenter guys at it that have been trained to cut the above-mentioned corners. But, even so, these days we refer full fence builds to Bradford Fencing because they are true professionals that care about the product like we do! And, they can usually get to you quicker than we can. But if you need small sections of wood fence, or gates, while we're there building your deck or other outdoor structure, we may be happy to oblige!
Storage Buildings/Sheds
Sheds or Storage Buildings is another one of those things (like fences) that, at first glance, you may not see how ours are any better than the competition. We can build them like others in the cost-effective style where there is no overhang, etc. But we can also do them like small houses where there is an overhang with proper venting and the framing around doors & windows is stout instead of "passable". And we don't have a list of "sizes" or "models" we offer. We can build you whatever you want with whatever features or amenities you want! From open-stud walls like any shed, or finished out all the way up to the level of a tiny home. We can even do them with a concrete slab, instead of wood-framed floor, as long as it's not too large. Need a custom Dog House with a porch and removable roof so you can walk in it and clean it? Let us know! Again....... "Custom"!
*We don't normally do any painting.
