Our Team

The Engineering Behind the Trust

Most decks are built on blind trust and cheap fasteners. We operate differently. At Deck Forge Builders, we treat outdoor construction with the exact same paranoia and precision as a high-level security audit. A deck is a structural extension of your home. It carries human life. It demands verifiable integrity.

Our team consists of risk managers, structural analysts, and veteran builders who refuse to compromise on safety. We expose the shortcuts that lead to catastrophic failures. We test the materials that actually hold up against rot, shear force, and time. We built this platform to separate the proven construction methods from the dangerous guesswork.

Meet the Team

Evan Francen, Lead Structural Auditor

Evan Francen brings a completely different discipline to the deck construction industry. Based in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area, Evan built a reputation for excellence through his leadership roles and his extensive background with SecurityStudio. He applies strict risk management principles to physical structural integrity. He treats a ledger board failure like a critical system breach.

His contributions to the deck building space rely on a commitment to rigorous standards. He ensures every project remains fundamentally sound and secure for homeowners. Evan navigates complex projects and enforces strict safety protocols. He delivers hard truths about the technical aspects of deck design, material selection, and construction.

A deck is not just an outdoor space. It is a structural extension of the home. It demands precision and expert craftsmanship.

Evan anchors his authoritative approach in a deep understanding of industry best practices. He helps DIY enthusiasts and professional builders create safe, beautiful, and permanent outdoor living spaces. You can review his professional background directly on his LinkedIn profile.

Marcus Thorne, Lead Materials Tester

Marcus destroys hardware so you do not have to. He runs our physical testing protocols on everything from hidden fastening systems to ACQ-treated lumber. Before we recommend a specific joist hanger or composite decking brand, Marcus subjects it to extreme moisture, lateral load stress, and freeze-thaw cycles. He spent twelve years as a commercial framing inspector. He spots the microscopic flaws that manufacturers try to hide.

Elena Rostova, Code Compliance & Risk Analyst

Elena navigates the bureaucratic nightmare of local building codes and contractor risk management. She audits contractor licenses, permit requirements, and insurance liabilities. Elena ensures our readers understand exactly what legal and structural requirements they must meet before digging a single footing. She previously worked as a municipal building code enforcement officer. She knows exactly why inspectors fail a project.

David Hutchinson, Field Operations Director

David spent 25 years swinging a hammer in residential construction. He translates our structural engineering requirements into actual cuts, joints, and field practices. David knows the friction of working with warped lumber and the reality of pouring concrete in bad weather. He keeps our technical advice grounded in operational reality.

Our Editorial Standards

We do not publish manufacturer press releases. We do not write about aesthetic trends, outdoor rugs, or patio furniture. We cover structural engineering, code compliance, and material science.

Every guide on this site undergoes a brutal review process. We verify load calculations. We cross-reference local building codes. We test the specific tools and hardware we recommend in the field. If a popular composite board warps after three months in direct sunlight, we publish that failure. We name the brand. We show the damage.

We reject theoretical advice.

Our contributors hold real field experience. We demand proof for every claim. When we evaluate a new structural screw or a lateral tension tie, we look at the shear strength data, not the marketing copy. We tell you exactly where a product excels and exactly where it falls apart.

Get In Touch

We want to hear about your structural challenges. Send us your ledger board questions, your material doubts, and your code compliance nightmares. We use real reader questions to drive our testing schedule.

• Technical Questions: Email our team directly at [email protected].
• Response Time: Elena or Marcus reads every single message. We typically respond within 48 hours.
• Vendor Pitches: Do not send us guest post requests or sponsored product pitches.

We will delete them immediately.