COMPANY HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY

As more and more homeowners are building their own decks, they are finding that probably the most difficult and time consuming task is that of attaching the deck to the house. Generally it was required to remove or cut the siding, pre-fit the ledger board, and while holding the ledger, bolt it to the house. Then add joist hangers, flashing, and trim around the ledger and patch in the siding.

Paul Stratton, a builder from Milan, Ohio, decided that there had to be a better way, so he invented and patented the "Stratton Bracket®". It's offset design bolts directly against the siding and holds the ledger about 1/2" away from the house, allowing water to pass by and not seep into the house.

Stratton has specialized in building decks for ten years. Every time he uses his brackets people are not only amazed at how easy the decks can be built and then set into place, but also because the brackets were used for hanging steps, arbors, flower boxes, and even a small collapsible workbench. Large decks are no problem either, built in sections they can then be set into the brackets.

To use the bracket, first mark a level line on the house where the bottom of the deck will be, position the bottom of the bracket to this line and make a mark through the top hole of the bracket. The end brackets should be 4" to 6" in from the outside of the deck and the other brackets should be spaced 12" to 16" on center, or between each joist. Now drill a 5/16" pilot hole into the siding at these marks to accommodate a 1/2" diameter bolt, dab a little caulking into the holes and bolt the brackets firmly to the house. It's that simple. After the framework has been set, leveled and squared, add a second bolt through the lower hole of the bracket and into the ledger board (see cross section).

The "Stratton Bracket®" is a unique product, patented and manufactured exclusively for P.A.Stratton & Co. The brackets retail for about $5.45 each and are stocked at some dealers. If you can't locate the bracket you can buy them direct in quantities of 4, and add shipping and handling.