August in Toronto

I am actually out building this month--finishing up some glass rails in the Beach, and doing a grade beam supported floating deck a few minutes from my place near Wasaga Beach.

I thought it would be great to get in shape and take some decent photography while I work. 

Notice the planks and the wheelbarrow... I mixed small batches by hand and picked up cement mix at the local quarry in my Pre-Runner, but only half because that is the cheaper way to do it. Mostly because I need the exercise!

I was taught to mix cement by hand by an 80 year old Italian gentleman about 25 years ago... and I will always be grateful for what he taught.

There is very little you can do in a gym to top pushing a wheelbarrow full of mixed aggregate up a plank on a steep slope. No helper... doing it alone so that I can photograph that it CAN be done. (even by an out of shape has been!)

Over the winter I am hoping to get a few chapters done of the new revision of the installation guide... which most likely will be an on-line resource for our builders.

On the business side of things we are actually getting calls from BC and Florida again... which has been quiet for so long.

Ontario is ramping up nicely after the HST shock,  and lots of  gorgeous looking jobs are getting finished up this month. Most of our people are booked a month or two in the Toronto area, and with a 10% tax increase on everything we do mid recession-- we are not complaining.


Caledon, Houston and Dallas Texas are still available-- those are the hot spots this month!

L

Testing New Stain Product from Benjamin Moore

Our Builders are presently trying out a new stain called ArborCoat. Waterborne finishes that go on in 2 coats and seem fairly easy to work with. Initial trials are good. Of course this photo shows REAL WOOD... not Composite. It is actually the kiln dried Red Cedar we sell out of Barrie with Arbor Coat applied to it before installation.

We won't flat out recommend it until we have seen how well it works for a couple of years, however Benjamin Moore has made our standard oil based stain that has given us good results for many years. We have never had warranty issues with Benjamin Moore to this point.

For now you will have to read the materials and decide on your own. If you are skeptical use Banjamin Moore Alkyd Exterior Stains or Sansins.

PS. Check out our article on Exterior Stain here...   It will teach you the rules for and why you should pre-finish decking.

L