#TimberTips 3 Things Every Builder will Love about This Hotel What do I love about the Carpenter Hotel? Originally home to Austin’s Carpenter’s Union, the Carpenter Hotel is a newly opened boutique hotel with a restaurant, bar, and event space. Developed by Portland-based Mighty Union and constructed by…more
A Plastic Footing that supports 1,700 lbs!
#TimberTips A Plastic Footing that supports 1,700 lbs! Could a piece of plastic replace traditional concrete footings? When building a deck, traditionally the builder will dig footings and pour concrete for the foundation. Another method for low profile decks is concrete blocks that can be placed directly on…more

The Worst Foods and Household Items to Drop on your Deck
#TimberTips The Worst Foods and Household Items to Drop on your Deck How stain-proof are different decking products? We put their warranties to the test on this episode of TimberTips. It’s inevitable that someone at some point is going to drop a burger or spill some wine on…more

The “Coolest” Decking Product: Temperature Test
#TimberTips The “Coolest” Decking Product: Temperature Test Is there a decking product that can beat the summer heat and not burn your feet? This week Ben Roberts was joined by Michael Rowland, a product expert at Gaiennie Lumber, and we talked about heat; specifically, heat as it pertains…more

Decking Scratch Test: Azek vs. TimberTech vs. Ipe vs. Cedar
#TimberTips Decking Scratch Test: Azek vs. TimberTech vs. Ipe vs. Cedar Is there a solution to a scratched-up deck? Nothing is more frustrating than getting a brand-new deck installed in your backyard, then having your neighbors come over and drag the outdoor furniture across it causing all kinds of scratches.…more

The Most Fire-Resistant Decking: Composites vs. Ipe
#TimberTips The Most Fire-Resistant Decking: Composites vs. Ipe What happens to deck boards when they’re exposed to fire? On this episode of TimberTips, we have four different types of decking that we’re going to put through a trial by fire and see how they did. The four different…more

Carpenter Hotel
Project Carpenter Hotel Location Austin, TX Developer Mighty Union Contractor DPR Construction Builder Austin Deck Company Landscape Architect Pharis Design Products Ipe Featured Project Carpenter Hotel It’s a tall order to come to downtown Austin and try to reproduce the eclectic and artsy design that is beloved by…more

Zilker Modern Home
Featured Project Zilker Modern Home Project Zilker Modern Home Location Austin, TX Builder Paradisa Homes Products Tigerwood When searching for a modern home using natural materials, your options for builders can be limited. Then there is Paradisa Homes: a semi-custom home builder transforming Austin neighborhoods using well-thought floor…more

Research Park Courtyard
Project Research Park Courtyard Location Austin, TX Builder Centex Decks Products Ipe Featured Project Research Park Courtyard In a business park off of Austin’s Research Blvd., lies this courtyard in Research Park. Home of Charles Schwab and other businesses, the courtyard uses 5,000 sq. ft. of a dense,…more

Rob Roy Ipe Oasis
Featured Project Rob Roy Ipe Oasis Project Rob Roy Location Austin, TX Builder Ray Tonjes Builders Products Ipe In the sought after neighborhood of Rob Roy, just outside of Austin, TX, it’s common to see sprawling treed lots with spectacular Hill Country views. In a neighborhood with million…more