Let's talk about TREX and framing.
This is how we make our screws invisible.
https://youtube.com/shorts/YdjmAQILCDo?feature=share
We started using this plug system a little over a year ago, we use the clips reccomended by trex for everything except the first and last boards. We use the screws and plugs for the outline boards as well..
The plugs come in the specific trex colors. So I have to make sure I order the proper color before we start the project and we're good to go!
It's important to remember that trex is not structural like cedar and outdoor wood is.
Trex is plastic and has a ton of "FLEX"
Imagine a spaghetti noodle, that's kinda what it's like to carry the boards on your shoulder. Literally 20 foot boards touch the ground on both ends when I have one on my shoulder. Pretty funny to watch me drag them across your yard. Haha
Because its basically plastic, it cannot be framed the same way you frame for cedar or pressure treated 2x6.
It especially has a lot of flex when it gets warm!!!
This is also why you can't just remove cedar boards and put trex down. That's why we add joists to EVERY bay when we do upgrade the deck boards to trex.
We had one job about a year back, that after we got all the cedar boards taken off, the client wanted the deck reframed because they didn't like the stairs. I had included 5 hours of labor for framing fixes. 5 hours was nowhere near enough time to reframe stairs going down both sides of the deck.
Ok, no problem.
Except there was a problem, they didn't want to pay anything for the extra time and materials it takes to re-frame the entire stairs. Furthermore they didn't pay thier final payment either, so I actually was negative on that job in particular. Wasn't worth getting the lawyer involved, it wasn't enough money.
Even then I tried to make sure they had a safe structure. Even when i was working at a loss, I still cared about the customers safety. They asked me to leave and not return when I explained re-framing the stairs was going to take more time than i had planned, and more deck boards too. So I did as they asked.
I digress,
We will always try our hardest to make sure you're happy. ALWAYS. That's why I give you a list of references at our first interaction.
Trex also gives a lifetime warranty but only when the decking is installed to thier specifications. Like, joists spaced at 12 inches apart, joist tape (flashing) across every joist. We also put it on our blocking and between the 4x4 post and rim joist, when installing handrail posts. If we pour posts in concrete we make sure that there's a barrier between wood and concrete.
if you have questions please feel free to ask.
I will always try and help. Please remember that not all contractors are created equally, and you don't always have the whole Story sometimes.
It's myself (Amber) and my ride or 💀💀💀employee Lanae who has been working with me almost FOUR years now! We even have the same birthday, just 12 years apart hahaha.
Overall I have over 20 years of experience working in and around clatsop County. Way back in 2000 I went to job corps, (where I met my amazing husband, Mike) and I graduated Job corps in 2001. The Portland carpenters union was the first place I started after job corps. After a few years of experience I Decided I didn't like the PDX commute and found residential construction work at home on the coast. The rest is history!
Lanae lived across the street from us for like 5 years before we became fast friends. In 2019 after years of my husband telling me I should, I started my own company. (Mike drives log truck for Gendenberg trucking and he loves it) after a couple months I begged lanae to come to work with me, because I was overwhelmed doing EVERYTHING myself. I still get overwhelmed some days, but I'm getting better all the time! So that's how it all started and in the last almost 4 years we have both learned a LOT. I've taught her how to do all these things, while simultaneously trying to learn how to run a business. We must be doing something right!? I know our intentions are always good and we will always do our very best.
I give back to the community whenever I get a chance. The first year in business we donated a bus shelter. In the last 3 years we've sponsored numerous local teams through warrenton kids Inc, and we have happily taken part in the fall festival for the last two years. This year we did a little project for a disabled veteran for no charge.
I hope you've enjoyed learning a little about us today.
Have a great weekend! Thanks for supporting living wage jobs and small businesses!! Thanks for supporting us underdogs!
If you're interested in getting a quote, please send me your project details via email, or text or direct message. I'll gladly get back to you with a ballpark estimate and references too! I will always try to give more than one option as well. We are currently booking January!
Trex deck prices, when able to save the framing and ADD to it, is about $70 a square foot, and new ground level trex deck is 90-100 a square foot.
Cowan Custom Decks and Fences
CCB #225044
Acowan1216@gmail.com
503-791-7473
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