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More than 35+ contractors congregated to a jobsite in Portola Valley, California, over the summer to participate in a Master Class Workshop and learn how to frame a deck with steel. This hands-on regional training event was co-hosted by seasoned industry expert, Joe Frith, owner of Mountain Deck, and Mike Fredy of Fortress Building Products.
Workshop participants did not just sit back and watch; they had the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and install the Evolution steel deck framing system from Fortress Building Products under expert guidance. “Your first deck with any new system can feel intimidating,” Frith explained. “Attending a Master Class Workshop lets you see how it’s done, try it yourself, and realize that framing with steel can actually be easier than building with wood.”
In addition to providing hands-on training, the peer-led, collaborative approach of the Fortress® Master Class Workshop fosters professional networking, giving contractors the opportunity to exchange best deck building practices and gain confidence to make the switch to steel framing. “Contractors leave these workshops with practical skills and the ability to position themselves as experts in fire-safe, long-lasting deck construction. That is a real advantage for business growth,” Frith shared.
For many contractors, especially those living and working in California, steel’s fire-resistance property is a particularly compelling advantage. “Burning embers are a leading cause of wildfire spread. An old, dried-out wooden deck bolted to a home is essentially a bonfire attached to the house,” Frith noted. Moreover, many local codes under California’s Chapter 7A now prohibit combustible materials within five feet of a home. “Steel framed decks are noncombustible, fire-resistant and ignition-resistant. The framing material helps contractors build safer, more resilient outdoor living spaces while staying code-compliant.”
Additionally, Frith highlighted the advantages of steel deck framing as customers increasingly demand bigger and better outdoor living spaces complete with today’s sought after amenities. “Steel deck framing offers unmatched strength, durability and long-term value,” he explained. To Frith’s point, steel deck framing stands up to the damaging effects of moisture and extreme weather conditions. It will not split, warp and deteriorate after exposure to the elements. “Once you understand these advantages, there’s no excuse for building decks the way they did hundreds of years ago,” Frith said.
One of the main objectives of the advanced training session was to show the Master Class Workshop participants that framing decks with steel is not as complicated as some think. “Evolution steel deck framing by Fortress Building Products is a comprehensive system, which is easy to learn,” he said. No specialized tools required, the interlocking joist and ledger system provides straightforward installation that looks and feels like working with wood. Many top builders, including Frith, argue that using a steel deck framing system is actually easier than working with the time-honored building material. “Outside of simple cutting, you just screw the parts together. That cuts down labor costs, improves construction efficiency and leaves you with a deck substructure that will last for decades.”
To wrap up the Portola Valley Master Class Workshop, participants toured the neighborhood to see four additional steel deck framing projects completed by Frith and his crew. From expansive outdoor living spaces to impressive multi-level designs, the walkthrough gave contractors real-world inspiration that they could use to take their business to the next level.
Source: Fortress Building Products
