Barbara Butler Artist-Builder Inc.

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Oakland Hills Ramble Installation

What do you do when everything has been fabricated in the shop, the concrete bags have slid down to their correct spot, the footings have been dug and filled with concrete holding our post brackets into the exact spot they’ll be needed? Install the structure on site, of course! Barbara and the crew arrive early on a sunny day to get started.

Father and son team Jose and Kevin make sure the decking is level before securing it to the girder system. No matter how uneven the ground is, this deck will be perfectly horizontal.

The clubhouse starts to come together as the walls are added. It’s tucked between two palm trees, which will give it a wild and adventurous feel.

The precise measurements that Barbara took earlier in the process allow the pre-built structure to fit seamlessly together and accommodate the slope of the ground. An added bonus is that it also speeds up the installation process.

Sometimes one single drill just isn’t enough.

Allen touches up the underside of the decking with our signature tung oil stain. We custom-blend this non-toxic stain in a variety of colors, which allows us to add pigment and weather resistance to the lumber while still letting the natural grain of the wood show through.

The secret is in the details! Jose hand lashes the rope net railing to the redwood frame, creating a safe and visually appealing bridge.

The monkey bars are spaced for young arms. Here, they are added to the underside of the bridge.