Coming from a long line of skilled craftsmen, Fortress® Alliance Member Kevin Choquette, owner of Ravin Builders, has been captivated by the art of building since childhood. Over the last 20 years, he has turned his passion into a thriving career, specializing in designing custom, long-lasting outdoor living spaces throughout Rhode Island and parts of Connecticut. A self-proclaimed "deck nerd," Choquette loves "pushing the boundaries of deck building" to deliver on his promise to "enable every client to live their best life possible within their budget and circumstances." This dedication to excellence has earned him multiple deck building awards and industry accolades throughout his career.

Making the switch from wood to steel: Choquette’s deck building “evolution”

Like many seasoned professionals, Choquette started his deck building career using traditional materials like pressure treated lumber. But as someone who prides himself on staying ahead of emerging trends and building techniques, he is constantly seeking out the most innovative solutions for his clients. This drive, paired with the challenge of delivering bigger and better decks, pushed Choquette to put Evolution steel deck framing by Fortress Building Products to the test.

Choquette quickly discovered that steel deck framing offers advantages that wood simply can't. "There are a lot of things we can't achieve with today's pressure treated lumber-long-term value, long-term performance and long-term aesthetics," he reported. "Steel also doesn't have the risk that lumber has of warping and rotting. Most importantly, we can ensure it's going to be flat and straight, and it will stay that way over a long period of time." With steel deck framing, Choquette can build a sturdy, safe deck with less effort. Choquette also adds that Evolution is "a better-looking frame and we can put a warranty on it.

Needless to say, the Ravin Builders' crew is all-in on steel. "Every time we take on a steel deck framing project, the whole crew is fired up," Choquette said. "The straightforward assembly and aesthetics of steel deck framing are something to be excited about."

Building a community of deck builders who work with steel

An experienced builder, Choquette's influence extends beyond his latest jobsite—he’s also changing and inspiring the deck building industry on a larger scale. For example, Choquette recently co-hosted a regional Master Class Workshop with Fortress Building Products in Cumberland, Rhode Island. A testament to his reputation, 58 contractors from 10 different states showed up to install the Evolution steel deck framing system alongside Choquette and his crew. The main objective of the advanced hands-on training session was to give participants the opportunity to experience for themselves that steel deck framing installs just like wood. Because once contractors get their hands on the product, they just get it.

A charismatic social media influencer, Choquette documented the steel deck framing installation process and shared event photos and video with his social media followers (@ravinbuilders). Through his content, Choquette is helping fellow contractors see that steel deck framing isn't just a trend-building bigger and better decks with steel is the future and is key to growing their business.

Ready to embrace the next generation of deck framing? Participate in Fortress® Master Class (there are four different formats available to help you master this new skill).