Archive for the ‘Deck Contractor MN’ Category

Our decks go through a lot over the winter months, and one of the most destructive forces is frost. Although most of us think of it as being icy lacework on windows or white frost on autumn leaves, it goes deeply beneath the surface to cause devastating damage to your deck. 

How it Works
This destructive element is called frost heave, and happens when sandy soils freeze. When they freeze, they expand and lift anything on the surface. The Wikipedia image to the right demonstrates this principle beautifully. The lift can get to at least 4”, which is enough to cause serious structural problems.

Preventing Frost Heave
The structural imbalance caused by the lifting ground causes instability in your deck’s supports and floor. When this happens, it must be torn down and replaced. The only way to prevent frost heave is to make sure the concrete footings are anchored in soil that won’t freeze from year to year. According to the Minnesota State Building Code, that means that footings must extend at least 42” down in Southern Minnesota, and at least 60” in the north.

However, even when you plant the footings deep enough, it’s possible that the freezing soil can still lift the footings by gripping the cement. One way of doing this is to either install waxed cardboard tubes, or sonotubes, around the footings before you put them in. This prevents the surrounding soil from grabbing the underground cement. Another way to prevent heaving is to pour the cement into a bell shape at the bottom to hold the structure in place over the winter. Add iron rebar to give the footings enough strength the resist cracking from the force of frost forming around it.

Since Iron River Construction designs and installs decks, we’d be happy to help you if you had frost heave this year, and prevent it from happening in the future.  Now is a great time to evaluate what happened last winter, and then take corrective action so it won’t occur again. 

Now that the weather’s warming up in the Twin Cities, it’s time to get the furniture and the grill out on the deck.  Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or recently installed a deck, make sure it’s safe by looking into these problem areas. 

Attachment to the House
When it comes to collapses of Minnesota decks, the most common culprit is improper connection to the house. Make sure that the attachment is solid by looking for bolds, lag screws, SDS screws or other reliable connectors holding the deck to the wall of your home. If you find nothing but small screws and nails, you know it’s time to fix the problem before something happens.

Flashing
A commonly missed feature is the flashing between the deck and the home. Flashing keeps water from seeping between the deck and siding. Make sure it’s there by looking under your deck for a sliver of metal visible between the two structures. Even if you see it, unless it extends far enough to tuck under the siding, it may not be properly installed.

Joist Hangar Installation
These fixtures come with specific instructions from the manufacturer which detail the kinds of nails you need and their weight limits. When looking at the hangars, make sure all nails are present, screws are not being used instead, and the hangars are undamaged. If the nails have the number 10 visible, they’re the wrong type which makes the structure unstable.

Rot
Test for rot by poking suspicious areas with a screwdriver. Pay close attention to where two boards intersect and where the deck meets the house. If there’s a lot of rotten wood, it’s time to install a new deck.

Stairway Attachment
The stairway must also be installed properly with a bracket designed for the task. When inspecting, make sure all nails are there and that a joist hangar bracket isn’t being used instead.

Guardrail
This rail should be able to withstand up to 200 lbs of pressure, so if it wobbles when you press on it, it’s not up to code.  Remember that balusters need to be placed closely enough together that a 4” sphere won’t fit between them and that they’re not arranged horizontally. These two factors prevent kids from getting their heads stuck between the planks of wood and take away the temptation of climbing the “ladder”.

Iron River Construction installs and repairs decks in the Twin Cities and greater metro area. 

A deck provides a convenient place for summertime gatherings around the grill and a getaway of outdoor peace on quiet Minnesota weekends. In order to keep a wood deck in great shape, it must be regularly maintained.

Coatings
The available types of coating range from least to most pigmentation. If you’re torn between two choices, always pick the one with the least pigmentation first, since you can’t go in reverse.

4. Paint
This type provides the most pigment. Many people like how it looks, but it’s difficult to maintain. It also hides water damage.

3. Solid Color Stain
Solid color stain can offer as much coverage as paint. The difference is that it sinks into the wood. If you layer it lightly enough, the grain may still show through, and it’s known to weather unevenly.

2. Semi-transparent Stain
This is one of the most popular staining options. It provides a hint of color, while allowing the wood’s grain show through. It wears more evenly than solid color, but doesn’t provide the same amount of protection.

1. Waterproofing and Transparent Stain
If you like the natural look of wood, this may be the option for you. However, it doesn’t protect quite as well as the other three.

Prepare for Work
Most professional painters will tell you that their day consists of 80% prep and 20% actual painting time. These steps are vital if you want a great outcome.

• Gather tools and read instructions.
• Make sure weather is the right temperature for applying stain, and there isn’t rain in the immediate forecast.
• Ensure that wood is dry enough to be coated.
• Remove all furniture from the surface and around the deck.
• Cover plants and anything else you don’t want to be splattered by accident.
• Remove garbage from deck and sweep, making sure to get between the wood planks.

Application
In addition to the manufacturer’s directions, these tips will help you get a perfect outcome.

• Do one board at a time to prevent streaks
• Don’t apply more stain than you need. Too much will give you a splotchy, flaky finish.
• Stain all six sides to prevent moisture from getting into the wood.

Although the extra steps take time, a well-protected deck is worth the effort.

Have questions about taking care of your deck?  Give us a call.  Don’t have a deck?  This could be the right time to have one put on your home – just in time to enjoy a great Minnesota summer. 

After a long day at the office or working in your Minnesota garden, your muscles are probably tense and nothing sounds more relaxing than a nice soak in a hot tub.  A hot tub or spa can turn your bathroom into a luxury retreat, but they can add another dimension to entertaining on your deck as well.  If you’re thinking of buying one to ease those aches, alone or in a group, take use this information to get the highest quality possible.

Consult Professionals
Since there’s a lot more that goes into putting a hot tub in than a regular bathtub, it’s wise to talk to an electrician, plumber and remodeling contractor before you start shopping.  They’ll help you determine if your floor or deck needs extra reinforcement, what sort of framing is needed to support the tub, and if there are any technical concerns. Since electricity is needed to run it and it needs extra water to work properly, you will probably need new pipes put in and special wiring installed.

Shape and Size
Hot tubs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Before you hit the stores, measure the space you’ve reserved for the fixture and take those numbers with you. While some tubs fit the space a regular tub takes, others are oval, and some are specially shaped to fit in corners for maximum floor space.

Stores
Your local home improvement store most likely sells some hot tubs and so do specialty stores. Some of these centers will also offer installation costs included with the price of the tub.  As you shop, watch out for warranties for individual parts and compare what various manufacturers have to offer. Things like pumps, movable parts and motors will wear out over time, and having a warranty will save you money when it comes time to replace them.

Cost
Hot tubs usually cost about two to three times of what a standard tub will, plus installation will most likely cost several hundred dollars.  They’re more labor intensive to put in than a typical tub, and have more parts involved, but the relaxation they offer is worth it.

Iron River Construction provides full-service home remodeling options like decks and porches – a great place for summertime entertaining or just relaxing at the end of the day. 

The front porch was the mainstay of homes long ago, and just the term can bring about nostalgia.  But modern with modern construction the front porch began to fade into history.  Back decks and large garages taking up the front yard replaced those leisurely welcoming spots to greet guests and relax while watching the world go buy.  Lifestyles changed, and homeowners often were disconnected from their neighbors due to work, recreation, etc.  Even safety concerns led to the disappearance of the deck.  Neighborhoods teeming with children roller skating and biking along the sidewalks as they were watched over by homeowners on their porches became a thing of the past.

Fast forward to the current age.  Surprise, surprise – the front porch has experienced a resurgence in popularity.  A survey of home builders showed that over two-thirds of new homes built today include a front porch.  Garages have receded from dominating the street-facing side, and in some cases have disappeared altogether, or at least been reduced in size.  The number of homes without garages is at its peak.   The three-car garage is giving way to a 1-1/2 car space in many cases.  And the inviting front porch is again taking center stage for many home buyers.

Realtors speculate that the interest in social engagement is driving the front-porch trend.  Porches allow you to visit and greet your neighbors without actually having to invite them into your home.  Casual interaction rather than an organized gathering is facilitated by a front porch.  And it provides for an outdoor living area that doesn’t take up too much space.  Also a part of this trend is the fact that as baby-boomers are retiring and moving into smaller, more urban homes, the nostalgic front-porch feel of their childhood experience is very comforting in an ever-changing world.

If you’re considering making some changes to the front of your home’s exterior, you may want to think about adding a front porch or deck if your home doesn’t already have one.  It’s an investment that will pay off not only when it comes time for you to sell your home, but you may also find that you’ll get more enjoyment out of your front yard by having a place to relax outdoors.  You may also get to know your neighbors better!

Iron River Construction builds decks and porches for homeowners in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area as well as surrounding communities. 

We all need a chance to get away from time to time, to recharge and recuperate from the strain of day-to-day living.  But we don’t always have the resources or the time to escape to some secluded resort or vacation destination.  Sometimes all that’s available is a few minutes in between activities.  Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a secluded spot right in your own backyard where you could grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a little nature?  With the right deck and garden planning, you can.

From “HGTV Gardens”

Decks and landscaping plants go together well to produce that kind of atmosphere.  Whether you’re looking for a shady spot to nap in a hammock underneath a tree or a place for an intimate alfresco lunch, this Picture Gallery has some beautiful ideas to appeal to just about everyone, with a design for just about any yard – even a crowded city lot or rooftop!  The most unique idea – a round deck surrounding a small pond just right for dipping your toes on a hot afternoon.

Adding a deck with some appropriate landscaping to your lot can increase your enjoyment of your home and  your yard as well as give you more options for relaxing and entertaining.  There’s time to get that deck in just in time for spring planting so that you’ll have a secluded nook of your own by the time the temps are barefoot-warm.

Iron River Construction is a full-service home remodeling contracting serving the Minneapolis metro area as well as greater Minnesota communities.  In addition to other services, we also construct outdoor structures such as decks, porches, and pergolas. 

With spring struggling to make its way into the Minnesota landscape, many homeowners are envisioning warmer days relaxing on their decks.  Except that some of them don’t have decks yet, and others have structures in sore need of repair or replacement.  If you’re contemplating a deck project, you have lots of options in terms of construction materials.  Here are the pros and cons of the most common ones.

• Composite:  This option has become increasingly popular since being introduced in the 1990′s, and it replicates the look of real wood.  Advantages:  Doesn’t require periodic refinishing or restaining.  Cons:  Expensive – 2.5 times as much as pressure-treated lumber.  Composite decking material does contain some wood, so it is still subject to rot and mildew, though at a much-reduced level compared to standard lumber.
• Pressure Treated Pine:  This is the choice of nearly three-fourths of those installing new decks currently.  Pressure treating means the lumber has been infused with preservatives which make it resist insect damage as well as deterioration.  Pros:  The least expensive alternative.  Cons:  There are environmental concerns about some of the chemicals used, and pressure-treated lumber requires re-staining every two years as well as a yearly power washing to keep it looking good.   While pine is inexpensive, it can’t be used untreated for decking because it is too susceptible to rot and insect damage.
• Natural Hardwoods (cedar, redwood, tropical hardwoods such as teak).  The natural oils in these woods make them resistant to rot and insect infestation, so they don’t need pressure treating.  Pros:  If you choose cedar or redwood and live near where they are harvested, they can be a relatively inexpensive choice, but can still cost up to double the price of pressure-treated pine.  Natural hardwoods can be left unstained; in which case they weather to a silver-gray which many homeowners find attractive.  Cons:  Tropical hardwoods such as teak and mahogany can cost up to 4-5 times that of pressure treated pine, and while they are extremely durable they are also so hard that driving nails and screws into them is difficult.   If you choose to have your decking stained or sealed, it will require periodic reapplication.
• Plastic/PVC:  Like composite, this decking material is manufactured to resemble natural wood.  Appearance can vary, so it’s best to get all the materials you’ll need from one manufacturer at one time.   Pros:  Plastic and PVC decking resists rot, insects, and stain damage well.  It doesn’t need periodic refinishing.  Cons:  Tends to sag over time, and it requires a specialized skill; not all decking contractors are experienced in working with plastic or PVC decking.  Cost:  About three times that of pressure-treated pine.
• Aluminum:  This is the “Cadillac” of deck materials.  Pros:  It resists insect damage, mildew, rot, and fire.  Unlike wood, it won’t crack or warp.  It’s extremely durable and lightweight.  Con:  Costs up to 9 times that of pressure-treated pine.

Of all these alternatives, if you take into account initial installation cost as well as routine maintenance such as pressure washing and re-staining, composite decking can be the most economical choice overall.  While plastic or PVC decking is less expensive, there is the sagging issue that has to be contended with.  But if you like the appeal of natural wood and you’re willing to handle the maintenance yourself, a pressure-treated pine or hardwood might be the right choice for you.

Iron River Construction is a full-service home remodeling contractor serving the Twin Cities and outlying Minnesota communities.  We offer deck construction and repair among our services. 

Shopping for a home can be a frustrating process. Everyone has their own requirements, but some areas always need extra attention.  Here are some areas to give attention to – some are DIY projects, others require the assistance of an experienced home remodeling contractor.

Paint Jobs:  One of the first things people do when they move into their home is to repaint the walls. That also happens to be one of the last things they do when they’re ready to sell the home. Paint can be tricky because the wall needs to be prepared correctly before paint application. The surface needs to be clean, and all old paint should be scraped before a fresh layer can bond to the material underneath.  For external paint, simply spraying won’t do the job. Using a brush or a roller forces the paint into the wood fibers.Unfortunately, in many cases the paint job done in preparation to sell is cosmetic in nature, and won’t stand up to use or close inspection.

Drain Pipes and Gutters: Check for  pipes that have been installed to go uphill. This practice guarantees a clog.A building inspector should catch this, but it might have been overlooked.   Drains coming from gutters should be installed at a downhill angle, preferably a quarter of an inch per foot.  Gutters themselves should also have a slight drop towards the downspout openings to keep the water flowing.

Bathroom Exhaust Fans:  During hasty installs, some people cut the vent hole to go into the attic, instead of through the roof.  When moist air is pumped into an attic, mold and mildew become a problem quickly.

Decks:  Permits are required when building decks, but most homeowners pass over the step if they’re doing it themselves. Because of this, potentially serious problems are overlooked and haven’t been addressed.  Decks may seem like a good DIY project, but because there are so many requirements, it generally is a job for a deck contractor.  Below are some ways buyers can make sure the deck of a potential home is safe.

• The frame should be made with pressure treated wood.
• There should be blocking over the beams and diagonally between joists.
• The board anchoring the deck to the house should be attached to the house’s wall studs or rim joists by 3 inch lag screws which are 16 inches on center, alternating top and bottom.
• Flashing to keep water from entering the home should be installed.
• Footings should be poured concrete, a foot deep and at least 18 by 18 or 16 by 16.
• Hand rails must be easily gripped.

Ask for permits whenever you see anything was done after the original construction of the home. Always pay close attention to the construction, and when in doubt, contact a professional for help.