 |
Neal Franson General Contractor, Specializing in Custom Decks, Patio Covers, Hill-side decks, Trellises, Gazeboes, Pavilions, Solar Patio Covers, exquisite gates and fences, etc. Serving the Los Angeles area.
News Letter February 2008
About Wood
The new composite materials have a lot of appeal due to their maintenance-free characteristics, and I highly recommend them, if they go with your architecture and your taste. However for some applications there is nothing like real wood. In fact, most composite decking materials are not structural and can not be used for the posts, beams or floor joists as they are not as rigid as real wood.
Overhead patio structures are usually made of Douglas Fir for a primed and painted look, which may check (crack along the grain) or bleed (moisture or sap) after the first hot summer and may need to be filled and re-painted after the first year.
Redwood decks need bi-yearly attention, which may involve stripping the sealer, water-blasting, acid washing, or sanding and then re-sealing in order to maintain the warm look and to keep it protected. Ipe hardwood decks do not actually need to be treated, as the wood is so dense, left natural they can last for a long time. If you do treat them they need the same yearly or bi-yearly attention to keep the looking their best. For more details, see: deck refinishing 
Recently Completed Projects:
- Two story Trex Winchester Gray deck in La Crescenta.
- Clear all heart redwood deck in Malibu.
- Pool house interior finish work in La Canada.
- Brentwood style custom front fence in Studio City.
- Attached Trellis structure in Studio City.
- Trex Bridge and deck in La Canada.
- Trex deck in Tujunga.
- Hillside deck in La Canada.
- Trex deck in La Crescenta
- Ipe' deck in Brentwood
- Trellis structure in Studio City with bamboo lattice.
- Tea House in Glendale.
- Trex deck and free-standing pergola in Tujunga.
- Trex decks.
- Solar Basics.
- Hillside decks.
- deck refinishing.
- Build to Last.
- Hardwood decks.
- The Tea House pictured to the right is under 100 square feet, so it doesn't require a permit in most cities.
- It's design features many details including corbelled beams and roof rafters, arched knee braces and a floating circle.
- It is roofed, so can be furnished with cushy patio furniture
- It can be adapted to hillside applications.