Kirchner Customs

10/14/2026

⁉️ What do you do when you love the look of your existing pergola—but want more shade and actual protection from the rain? 🤔

You retrofit it. 🔨

This homeowner already had a beautiful, wood-framed pergola wrapped in white vinyl sleeves. The original structure was level and designed as an open pergola, so it wasn’t built to accept a solid roof system. Although the closely spaced overhead slats provided some shade, the space still received a lot of harsh afternoon sun—and, like most traditional pergolas, offered no protection from the rain.

Our goal was to preserve the existing structure while carefully converting it into a more comfortable, functional outdoor space.

To create the proper roof pitch, we fabricated and installed a custom sloped sleeper system over the existing rafters using ProWood True Frame KDAT pressure-treated lumber. Because KDAT lumber is kiln-dried after treatment, we were able to sand, prep, prime, and paint all of the new framing on site without waiting for wet pressure-treated lumber to dry.

The retrofit included:
• Custom tapered KDAT sleeper system
• New painted purlins and subfascia
• Translucent-white Palram Industries Ltd. SUNSCAPE polycarbonate roofing
• New white gutter and rain-chain drainage
• Detailed caulking, prep, primer, and paint to blend the new work into the existing pergola

The translucent-white roof was a great fit for this space. It blocks most of the direct sunlight and creates substantially more shade, while still allowing soft, natural light into the patio and the adjoining rooms of the home. The homeowners can now enjoy the space during the afternoon heat and when it’s raining—without making the area underneath feel dark or enclosed.

Retrofitting an existing structure always brings a few unique challenges, especially when every new component has to integrate cleanly with an established design. The homeowner also has a professional interior-design background and a very strong eye for proportion, finishes, and visual details. There was a lot of trust placed in us to make sure the completed roof looked like it belonged there—not like an afterthought added on top.

We couldn’t be happier with how seamlessly everything came together, and most importantly, the homeowners are thrilled with the finished result.
Sometimes you don’t need to tear everything down and start over. With the right design, materials, and attention to detail, an existing outdoor space can be transformed into something far more functional while preserving what already makes it beautiful.

Dream • Design • Build

10/06/2026

Come take a walk through our latest pergola upgrade! 😎

We added Azenco’s operable louvered privacy walls to this existing pergola, with custom fitting and finishing touches to bring it all together.

Take a closer look at how the walls work, the details behind the installation, and the added privacy these homeowners can now enjoy by the pool.

10/04/2026

👀A little more privacy. A lot more backyard enjoyment. 😎

We just wrapped up this custom pergola upgrade, giving this homeowner more control over how they enjoy their poolside dining and lounge areas.

Their existing louvered pergola was installed by another contractor. Our part was adding Azenco Outdoor operable louvered privacy walls—allowing them to open things up for airflow and views, or close the louvers for a more private place to relax with family and friends.

Getting two different manufacturers’ systems to work together took some custom fitting and careful planning. With the existing posts out of plumb, approximately 164 individual louvers had to be measured and cut to fit their specific locations. Plenty of patience and attention to detail went into making everything fit cleanly and operate smoothly.

We also built custom post skirts for the existing pergola to cover the exposed anchor hardware. A small finishing touch that made a big difference in bringing the whole installation together.

This project had a longer road to completion than anyone anticipated, with manufacturing delays and a few missing components along the way. We kept the homeowners informed throughout, and Azenco stepped up with overnight shipments when we needed replacement parts to finish the installation. We appreciate their support—and our homeowners’ patience while we worked through it.

We’re really pleased with the quality, fit, and operation of these walls. Most importantly, the homeowner loves the finished result. Their backyard now has the privacy they wanted, with the flexibility to open it back up whenever they choose.

Have an outdoor space you’d like to make more comfortable, private, or functional? Send us a few photos, your location, and what you have in mind.

Special thanks to Louver Boss for making this happen!

Kirchner Customs
Dream – Design – Build.

09/26/2026

What does it take to build a “forever fence”?

Deckorators Summit composite boards, Owens Corning structural composite posts—and some serious reinforcement inside the gate posts.

We used rebar and high-strength precision grout to eliminate unwanted flex, then finished everything with a clean horizontal design that won’t rot, twist or warp like traditional wood.

Here’s the full walkthrough 👇

09/26/2026

A “forever fence” isn’t something we build very often—but this was a fun project and a great opportunity to return to a property where we previously completed the custom deck in the background.

The homeowner and their neighbor originally had two separate fences running back-to-back along the property line. With both sides in agreement, we removed them and replaced them with one clean, modern composite fence.

For this project, we used:

• Deckorators Summit decking in Glacier for the horizontal fence boards
• Owens Corning structural composite posts that will never rot, twist or warp
• A 6-foot semi-private section between the neighboring properties, transitioning down to a 4-foot fence around the rest of the yard
• Vertical accent boards to conceal the seams and fasteners, verticals attached with screws/plugs
• Simpson Strong-Tie Structural framing screws throughout the main fence assembly

The composite posts are incredibly strong, but the 4×4 posts had more flex than we wanted at the gates. We reinforced those posts internally with 3/8-inch rebar and high-strength, non-shrink precision grout. The neighbor’s larger 6-foot gate received upgraded 6×6 composite posts reinforced with 5/8-inch rebar and approximately 200 pounds of grout per post assembly.

The result is a clean, low-maintenance fence that complements the deck we previously built and should look great for many years—without the rot, warping or constant upkeep associated with a traditional wood fence.

Take a walk through the finished project with me and see how all the details came together!

Dream • Design • Build
Kirchner Customs

09/16/2026

Pretty cool to see Kirchner Customs featured again!

A few months ago, one of our projects was featured in Deck Specialist Magazine. Shortly afterward, Deckorators reached out and connected us with JLC: The Journal of Light Construction for an interview about our company, the deck industry, the products and materials we use, and what goes into our approach to designing and building custom outdoor spaces.

The result was this article: “Don’t Just Build What They Ask For.”

That title actually does a great job of describing our philosophy.

We’ve always believed there’s a big difference between simply building a deck and creating an outdoor space specifically for the people who are going to use it.

That means asking questions, understanding how a family wants to use their space, thinking about future plans, and sometimes suggesting ideas or details that weren’t part of the original vision.

It also means putting just as much thought into what you don’t see; the framing, hardware, waterproofing, flashing, and structural details—as we put into the finished product.

We’re certainly proud to have our work recognized, but even more so to have an industry publication highlight the thought process and philosophy behind what we do every day.

A big thank you to Deckorators for making the introduction and to JLC for taking the time to speak with us and share our story.

Give the article a read below! 👇

Dream • Design • Build

Homeowners often call an outdoor contractor, thinking they know exactly what they need, such as a 16×20 deck with a covered porch and a place for a grill. It’s tempting to give them what they ask for, but Derek Kirchner says that’s a mistake.  Kirchner, owner of Atlanta-area Kirchner Customs, ...

09/10/2026

😍One of our biggest Custom covered patio projects of the year is officially wrapped up. 🙌

This project started with an existing concrete patio and turned into a fully custom cedar screened porch, covered walkway, and complete standing-seam roof replacement on the whole home.

The biggest thing about this build was the amount of detail that went into the finish work.

Every piece of cedar that came onto the project was individually prepped, sanded to 80 grit, edges softened, imperfections worked out, and coated before installation. The main framing received Cutek Extreme with a Cedartone color tone, while the cedar tongue-and-groove ceilings were clear coated to keep their natural color and create some contrast against the darker framing. After the structure was complete, everything received its final finish coat.

Some of our favorite details on this project:

• 6x6 cedar posts and massive 6x12 cedar beams
• 1-3/4" x 9-1/2" LVL roof rafters allowing roughly a 26' clear span without intermediate supports
• Cedar tongue-and-groove finished ceiling
• Custom 4' covered walkway with exposed 4x4 cedar rafters and 2x6 cedar T&G serving as both the finished ceiling and roof sheathing
• Timber-frame-style knee braces supporting the walkway roof without posts obstructing the walkway
• ScreenEze screening system with Textilene Nano 50 screen to help reduce pollen, small insects, and no-see-ums
• Custom cedar kneewalls and X-detail railing
• Structural fasteners countersunk and concealed with cedar plugs made on site
• Ash Gray standing-seam metal roofing
• Full-house roof replacement with new ZIP System sheathing installed over the original 1x6 roof decking
• High-temperature ice-and-water membrane beneath the metal roofing
• Proper cricket and flashing corrections at the existing chimney
• Cast-iron wood-burning stove
• Recessed lighting, ceiling fan, outlets, and future TV provisions
• Custom rain chains
• Existing concrete ground smooth, stained in a two-tone finish, and sealed
• New Custom back door - Stained to match the patio
• Custom bench built from leftover 6x12 cedar, with composite feet to keep the cedar off the concrete

A lot of the details on this build were the kind of things most people will never consciously notice — hidden structural fasteners, hand-made cedar plugs, sanded and rounded edges, waterproofing details, and finish work in areas you may never see again.

But those details are exactly what make a custom project feel custom.

This one took a little longer than originally projected, but once we got into it, we decided the details were worth the extra time.

Really proud of how this one turned out.

Dream. Design. Build.

Shout out to our trade partners on this one too!
Mancilla Roofing & Construction - For all the standing seam!
Topkoat Floor Coatings - For Prep and staining the existing
Norcross Supply Company - As always, for all of our cedar!
Thorne Electric, Inc. w/ Matt Burgess for all of our electrical
Metro House of Fire for the beautiful fireplace
SCREENEZE Snaptrac system for the win!

Kirchner Customs
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08/13/2026

☀️Summer isn’t over—and if a new outdoor space has been on your mind, there is still time to enjoy it during some of Georgia’s best weather.🍁

Kirchner Customs currently has limited availability remaining on our 2026 project calendar. Depending on the size, scope, and scheduling requirements, we may have room to accommodate one or two additional projects before the end of the year—including a custom deck, covered patio, screened porch, outdoor kitchen, or another outdoor-living upgrade.

But if spring is really your goal, now is the time to start planning.

Every year, homeowners wait until the first warm days of spring to begin contacting builders. By the time the design is finalized, selections are made, permits are approved, materials arrive, and construction is completed, a large part of the season they wanted to enjoy may already be gone.

Fall 🍁and winter ☃️can be some of the best times to complete an outdoor project. The existing space is usually being used less, and the work can happen before warm weather returns. Then, when those first beautiful 🌷 spring days arrive, your new space is already complete, furnished, ready, and waiting for your family.

As a small, owner-operated custom builder, we intentionally take on a limited number of projects. I’m personally involved throughout the process and on-site with our team, which allows us to give every build the attention, craftsmanship, and accountability it deserves.

📅We are currently planning for:
👉 Limited late-summer and early-fall availability
👉 Fall and winter construction
👉 Projects completed and ready for spring 2027

💲Financing options are available for qualified homeowners, including extended terms for larger projects.

If an outdoor-living project has been on your mind, now is a great time to start exploring what is possible; before the spring rush begins.

📍 Serving Acworth, Woodstock, Canton, Kennesaw, Marietta, and surrounding Metro Atlanta communities
🌐 kirchnercustoms.com

Dream – Design – Build

08/12/2026

👀Check out these classic updated railings! 😍

A railing replacement can look like a cosmetic upgrade from the outside, but the parts you cannot see are what determine whether it will still feel solid years from now.

For this Woodstock project, we removed the existing builder grade railings while preserving the deck boards that were still worth keeping. Before installing anything new, we added YellaWood UCB.23 marine-treated structural blocking at every railing location and reinforced the existing decking butt joints so they had full support beneath them.

We also chose structural steel surface-mount posts rather than placing wood posts inside composite sleeves. The posts were secured into the reinforced framing below with 6-inch Simpson Strong-Tie SDWS Timber screws, and flashing tape was installed over the new blocking to provide additional protection against moisture.

The finished system includes:
• TimberTech Classic Composite top and bottom rails
• Black round vertical aluminum balusters
• Full-height TimberTech 6x6 composite post sleeves
• Pyramid post caps and matching skirts
• TimberTech Whitewash Cedar composite drink rail

P.S. Homeowner is patch/painting the old lag bolt holes, per their request, so when you see them; just know it wasnt overlooked, lol :)

The light Whitewash Cedar drink rail adds just enough contrast against the white railing while creating a functional surface around the deck. More importantly, the entire system is supported by framing and hardware designed to make the finished railing as strong as it looks.

Downtown Woodstock is growing quickly, and we love working with clients to upgrade their spaces in this amazing location! As always, we completed with the same approach we bring to every job: correct the structure first, follow manufacturer requirements and build it for long-term performance.

Dream. Design. Build.

07/22/2026

It's hard to put into words what this one means.🙌

I'm incredibly honored that Kirchner Customs has been featured in the latest issue of Deck Specialist Magazine, one of the leading publications in the deck and outdoor living industry.

When I first started this company, the goal was never to build the most decks or become the biggest contractor around. It was simple: build every project the right way, never stop learning, and create outdoor spaces that families will enjoy for decades.

To have one of our projects selected and featured by Sara Graves and the team at Deck Specialist is something I'm extremely proud of. This isn't a publication aimed at homeowners—it's written for deck builders, manufacturers, designers, and industry professionals. Many of the builders I've looked up to over the years have been featured in these pages, so seeing our work alongside theirs is pretty surreal.

The featured project is one of my favorites we've completed to date—a custom outdoor living space in Canton, GA that combined some unique structural engineering, a covered roof system, waterproofing, outdoor kitchen, lighting, and a lot of attention to detail. It challenged us in all the best ways and pushed our team to deliver something special.

A huge thank you to our amazing clients for trusting us with their vision. Thank you to Sara Graves and everyone at Deck Specialist for the opportunity and for telling our story.

And thank you to everyone who has supported Kirchner Customs over the years—our clients, friends, family, suppliers, manufacturers, and everyone who's followed along. Every project has helped us get to this point.

We're just getting started.

If you'd like to check out the article, I've included the link below!

https://issuu.com/building-products/docs/deck_specialist_july_august_2026/51


Deck Specialist Magazine Deckorators In-lite Global