Forget Bob Villa....Chad McDade's in the house....Yours, if you're lucky!  If you live in the Eastern to Northeast area of Ohio, then you have a great chance of having Chad McDade help you with some remodeling, or knowing someone for whom he has done work.  This gentleman is gaining ground as a "go to" person for sound construction/remodel advice, tool reviews, and general construction conversation that could help you with hiring a contractor, or a DIY project.  He's got a truck, but he's no "Chuck in Truck" out there cutting corners just to make a buck.  He's serious about his profession, and he's serious about getting the job completed correctly.  He's so determined to share his knowledge to help others, that he has now started writing articles regarding construction problems, and how to's in his spare time.   So please, check out the links below to keep up with Chad, and what he will be talking about next. Or you can take a drive over to your nearest Home Depot and grab the latest Pro Construction Magazine.  His latest article is about "Installing Underlayment For Tile".   All free and worthy advice, coming from someone that's actually working out in the field each and every day, not sitting behind a desk.  

Here's the links where you can view Chad's articles and daily field work:
1.    http://www.proconstructionguide.com/how-to-repair-a-slate-roof/
2.    http://bethepro.com/pros/chad-mcdade/
​3.    You can email Chad at - ohiohousewright@gmail.com 

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all of the men that serve this duty, it's the most important mission in your life.  

"Guide your children onto the right path, and when they are older they will never leave it" 

Proverbs 22:6

You can listen to Matt & Mike for they do know what they're talking about, or you can trust me when I tell you we sell and install more Azek than any other decking material outside of pressure treated lumber. There's a reason we sell and install so much Azek.  In our opinion, it's the best performing decking choice.  It's one of the reasons we we've reached our platinum status......the customers have loved it..........and we would like to thank our previous customers for putting their faith in us to install their new decks with such a beautiful product.   Check out our PVC Decks under the gallery dropdown tab and see for yourself.       

An FYI  -  If you're needing to get away, and you appreciate nature, you're tree hugger/lover, and can't make it to see the Redwoods out west, then you need to visit this area.  Information from the website is below:

"This forest is one of the Nation’s most impressive remnants of old-growth forest. The forest contains magnificent examples of more than 100 tree species, many over 400-years-old, and some more than 20 feet in circumference and 100 feet tall. This 3,800-acre forest was set aside in 1936 as a memorial to the author of the poem “Trees,” Joyce Kilmer, who was killed in action in France during World War I. This forest, part of the Joyce Kilmer-Slick Rock Wilderness, is maintained in its primitive state. The only way to see this forest is on foot. A 2-mile trail leads to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial and loops through giant trees."

Then, if you're looking for some serious kayaking, the Nantahala and Ocoee rivers are just within reach.  Go enjoy yourself!   



    

Are you grumpy due to the price of your deck?  The presidential election?  Afraid of being bit by a mosquito? Or just the daily traffic in Cincinnati?  We all need to just slow down, stop, and enjoy an ice cream this coming week.  
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Started this project last week, and waiting on trusses to be delivered.  This will be a 15'1" x 18'11" deck , a 4' x 4' landing with steps to grade, and a roof.   We have some other very cool projects coming up on our schedule, including a large commercial deck build.  

I've always said that deck railing and stairs can "make or break" your deck.  I have discussions with homeowners about the stairs just as much as about the decking or design of the decks. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with a standard run of stairs, there's millions of beautiful decks out there that have the standard installed. The photos are of decks we've installed, with the exception of the spiral stairs, and for those of you whom do want to explore the "deck stair options", the following is information you may use to help make a decision:

1.  Extra Wide & Cascading Stairs  -   The cascading stairs are my favorite.  I think they have an elegant and classy feel, not to mention very eye catching.  Some of the customers will get sticker shock, and resort back to a standard run.......these stairs can get pricey with the amount of material that is needed, and they're labor intensive.   

2.  Stair runs with landings in the middle  -   Another eye catching stair option with normally an upcharge price tag.  Again, the amount of time and material dictates.  I do like having a landing in the middle of a long stir run though.  Going up or going down, it lets you get your footing more balanced if you're carrying things like groceries, children, etc., and they just look pretty.  

3.  Landings at the top of stairs  -  In my opinion, I think every run of stairs should have a landing, even if it's a small one at the top of the stairs.  I do try to suggest this to all of the customers.  It gives your eye a good stopping point at the stairs, if you're proceeding down them, and again, let's you get your footing arranged so no missteps occur.   Very economical in the pricing.

4.  No landings  -   Beautiful decks, but wanted to show how your "stopping point" looks from above......looks like they just drop off, and if you're busy talking, looking back to see if you closed your back door, you may be taking a tumble.  

5.  No stairs  -  This is what the homeowner wanted, and that's how we build 'em. There is no grand deck stair pumbah stating you must have a set of deck stairs from the deck to the below grade if you have an approved railing that meets building code.   But, if my kitchen catches on fire, blocking me from escaping to another room; I'm going to run out to my deck, and I really hope there's a set of stairs to the ground:)   ​Try to avoid this option.

6.  Spiral Stairs  -  Have had several homeowners interested in this option, but no takers.  Beautiful, expensive, and somewhat difficult to get a permit to install them..........this is definitely an option that would have to be discussed in the initial deck designs.