Evolution Specialist of the Year My Deck, LLC

Q. How did your company start?

A. My father was a Sandy Hook harbor pilot, and I planned to follow in his footsteps. As required for this apprenticeship, I was sponsored at 12 years old and, after high school, had begun earning my associate’s degree. I was working for the local road department until a friend offered me a job in his construction company, where I made double the money, loved the work, and picked everything up quickly. I started my own business about a year later, so when I got the invitation for pilots, I decided against a seven-year apprenticeship at minimum wage. By the time I would have been a well-paid, full-branched harbor pilot, I was still learning how to grow my business and wondered if I had made the right decision. Almost four decades later, I have no regrets. I am proud to have

Owners: Robert Lascelle and Joseph Kalnas

Location: Flemington, N.J.

Year Founded: 1986

Website: mydeck.com

Instagram: @my_deck_llc

Facebook.com: My Deck, LLC

Specialty: Evolution steel deck framing founded my own business, providing employment for nine crews and eight staff, and most recently welcoming Joseph Kalnas as a partner.

Over the past six years Joe has facilitated even greater growth, allowing My Deck to create amazing outdoor living spacings for more clients.

Q. How did you begin using steel framing, and what drew you to Evolution?

A. Decks have always been my passion. I’ve been building them since pressure-treated lumber was used for both framing and decking. While we continued to use this lumber for framing, over the years My Deck has used cedar, mahogany, ipé and other hardwood decking as we upgraded our decking material following industry trends and customer preferences. Today, composite decking is widely-considered the preferred decking material and used exclusively at My Deck, but it doesn’t work well on pressure-treated framing. As the pressure-treated lumber dries, it moves, and the composite takes on the shape of the warped framing. It is highly visible and impossible to prevent. In an effort to eliminate this challenge, about 12 years ago, we started to experiment with steel framing.

I was introduced to Evolution steel deck framing at the Baltimore Remodeling Show about six years ago and was interested in the concept of steel framing designed specifically for decks. Once we started working with Evolution, as with all new products, we had some ideas that we felt could make the product better, and Fortress Building Products was always willing to listen and incorporate our suggestions.

Q. Any projects for which steel was particularly beneficial?

A. Steel framing is beneficial for all projects, but is especially advantageous for second-level decks with living space underneath because it allows much further spanning with less footings.

Q. What percentage of your jobs do you use steel framing on?

A. We use steel framing on 100% of our decks because, while more expensive, is well worth the investment. Steel provides a better aesthetic and will never need to be replaced.

Evolution steel deck framing is superior to common steel framing because each joist is a boxed beam and powder coated. Their product line has been designed from the ground up, including support posts for the deck and framing for the stairs so the entire substructure of the deck is steel.

Q. Where does the inspiration for your projects come from?

A. Steel framing has been inspirational for us, giving us greater design freedom. Steel’s strength and durability allows for longer spans and the opportunity to create spaces with less obstructed views.

Evolution’s steel deck framing features a premium, black, sand powder coating that complements all other design elements. Over the years, My Deck has always tested new building materials and techniques to offer our customers only the best in design and construction.

Q. What’s next at My Deck?

A. At My Deck, we will continue to try new technologies. We are proud to partner with companies like Fortress who are willing to consider our feedback as we use their products. Only together can we deliver the finest end products for our shared clients— outdoor living spaces to be enjoyed for years come.

FastenMaster Specialist of the Year

VB Decking

Q. Tell me how VB Decking got its start.

A. In 2015, I decided to depart my corporate job and pursue a career in the remodeling industry. It was always a dream to one day run a business of my own. Over the course of five years, I acquired a diverse set of skills and experience, learning as much as possible from every opportunity.

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a wave of job losses, and I, along with my brother-in-law, Brandon, were let go from our previous employer. As the founder of VB Decking, I established the business on September 19, 2020, as a family and veteran-owned company with a passion for outdoor construction and a desire to transform outdoor spaces into works of art. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional customer service, innovative deck solutions, and superior craftsmanship.

The company name, VB Decking, is derived from both my first and last name, but also reads as “Vic and Brandon Decking,” representing the strong bond between myself and my brother-in-law, and our shared commitment to delivering the highest quality of work to our clients.

Q. Tell us more about your company.

A. We specialize in creating custom decks for resi-

Owner: Victor Bohnet

Location: Denver, CO.

Year Founded: 2020

Website: vbdecking.com

Instagram: @vb_decking_llc

Specialty: FastenMaster fasteners dential properties. From design to completion, we are committed to making the deck building process as smooth and enjoyable as possible for our clients. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail, strong work ethic, and our commitment to ensuring our clients’ satisfaction.

Q. How did FastenMaster become your primary vendor?

A. FastenMaster became a primary vendor for our company after Brandon and I were introduced to the TC-G Hidden Fastening System and Tiger Claw Gun at a local deck show. Initially, we were skeptical about using the system for our projects as it was just another sales pitch. However, a FastenMaster representative demonstrated the system on one of our projects, and we were impressed with its efficiency and ease of use. The TC-G Hidden Fastening System significantly reduced installation time, making it a game changer for our business. It became an essential part of VB Decking’s toolkit.

Q. What do you draw your project inspiration from?

A. We draw inspiration from a range of sources, including our clients’ visions, industry trends, and the natural beauty of Colorado’s landscape. We under- stand that every project is unique and deserves a tailored approach, which is why we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and preferences. As a company, we stay up-to-date with the latest innovations and materials in the decking industry, incorporating them into our projects whenever suitable. We as a team are dedicated to providing high-quality craftsmanship, exceptional customer service, and innovative deck solutions that cater to each client’s unique needs and preferences. Ultimately, our goal is to create outdoor living spaces that are not only functional and durable, but also aesthetically pleasing and aligned with our clients’ lifestyles.

Q. How has business been for VB Decking?

A. I’m proud to say that since our inception in 2020, we’ve experienced steady growth and have established a loyal customer base in the Denver area. We believe that our commitment to quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and exceptional customer service has set us apart from our competitors. We take pride in going above and beyond to ensure that each project we undertake not only meets but exceeds our clients’ expectations.

Our dedication to providing outstanding customer service has likely contributed to our success. By building strong relationships with our clients and prioritizing their satisfaction, we’ve earned their trust and loyalty. As a result, we’ve received positive word-of-mouth recommendations, which have helped us attract new customers and grow our business.

What’s ahead for VB Decking?

A. We’re always on the lookout for ways to grow and expand our business while keeping our focus on quality and customer satisfaction. Our immediate priority is to continue serving our local community and building upon our reputation as a trusted and reliable decking company. We understand that our success is largely due to our commitment to providing personalized attention and exceptional craftsmanship to each of our clients.

As we look to the future, we hope to expand our services to other areas of Colorado and potentially beyond. However, we’re aware that expansion can be challenging, and we’re committed to maintaining the same level of quality and customer service that we’re known for, no matter where we operate. We believe that our clients appreciate the level of attention and care we provide, and we want to ensure that this remains a priority as we continue to grow.

Ultimately, our goal is to become the go-to decking company for homeowners across Colorado and beyond. We believe that by staying true to our values and always putting our clients first, we can achieve this goal and continue to grow and thrive as a business.