Hammer & Hew LLC

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United States
Philadelphia, PA
Hammer & Hew LLC

We are a reliable, insured deck, stair & railing company with 5 years of residential experience. We build and repair to co

We arrive on time, keep job sites tidy, and deliver detail-oriented craftsmanship - backed by transparent, project-specific pricing.

05/25/2026

Center City row homes don't have backyards. They have decks. And when that deck goes, so does your outdoor space.

This homeowner reached out because the deck and stairs connected to their home were worn out and starting to rot. The wood had taken years of Philadelphia weather without proper maintenance - and it showed. Soft boards, stained surfaces, a staircase that had seen better days.

The fix: full board replacement on the deck and stairs, a thorough clean, and a fresh coat of stain to protect everything going forward. The steel frame and cable railing were already in good shape - we worked around them, replaced what needed replacing, and made sure the whole thing felt solid again.

Clean. Tight. Done right.
The client found us online, had a proposal in hand within days, and work started within a week. That's how we operate.
If your deck is looking tired - don't wait until it becomes a safety issue. We offer free estimates and we'll tell you exactly what needs to be done.
📞 (917) 250-2222
🌐 hammerandhew.com
Free estimates. Philadelphia metro area.

05/22/2026

Outdoor dining in Philadelphia in the summer is great - until the mosquitoes show up.

This homeowner had a large existing deck with a covered porch area that wasn't being used the way it should. Open on all sides, no protection, no real reason to sit out there once the bugs arrived.

The ask was simple: screen it in, add a door, make it actually usable.
We built out the full frame, installed screens across all open sections, and added a proper screen door with hardware. Clean lines, solid construction, matched to the existing structure. Completed ahead of schedule and within budget - as it should be.

The result is a space the family can actually live in. Dinner outside without the bugs. Morning coffee without the hassle. A covered porch that finally does its job.

Kathy put it well in her Google review: they're looking forward to sharing mealtimes outdoors without the bother of mosquitoes. That's exactly why we do this work.
If you have a covered porch or deck area that's sitting underused - screening it in might be simpler than you think.
📞 (917) 250-2222
🌐 hammerandhew.com
Free estimates. Philadelphia metro area.

05/18/2026

IPE is one of the hardest, most durable decking materials on the planet. Brazilian ironwood built to last decades. But only if you treat it right.

This deck in Philadelphia had gone twenty years without any real maintenance. Moss, mildew, a faded gray surface that had lost all its color. The homeowners were ready to tear it down and replace it with composite.
We had a different idea.

IPE is unforgiving - but it's also incredibly resilient. We deep-cleaned the surface, brightened the wood, sanded it down, and applied a specialized IPE oil. The deck came back to life. Rich warm tone, tight grain, protected for years to come.
The homeowner said it best in their Google review: they went from planning a teardown to couldn't be happier.

If your wood deck looks tired and worn out - don't write it off just yet. Sometimes it just needs the right hands and the right process.

📞 (917) 250-2222
🌐 hammerandhew.com
Free estimates.

05/10/2026

Some decks just need a fresh coat of stain. Others need to be saved.
This one in Philadelphia was the second kind.

When we got under this deck, the picture wasn't pretty. The main beam had rotted through - years of moisture, zero maintenance, and what looked like a previous patch job that bought maybe a season or two of extra time. Structurally, this thing was on borrowed time.
The homeowner knew something was off. We knew it the moment we looked underneath.

The call was clear: replace the beam, rebuild the structure right, and give this deck a real future. New posts, new framing, proper hardware. Everything done to code and built to last.

The result speaks for itself. Solid, safe, and ready for another decade of use.
If your deck is more than 10 years old and you haven't had it inspected - it might be worth a look underneath. We offer free estimates and we'll tell you exactly what we see.
📞 (917) 250-2222
🌐 hammerandhew.com
Free estimates. No pressure.

04/21/2026

From peeling and worn to stunning - right above Center City. 🏙️
This penthouse rooftop deck had seen better days. The stain was flaking off, several boards were damaged, and the whole surface was rough and tired-looking.

We came in, replaced what needed replacing, sanded the entire deck down, and finished it with a fresh stain. The transformation speaks for itself - and that Philadelphia skyline as the backdrop doesn't hurt either. 😄
If your deck is looking rough after the winter, don't wait until it gets worse. A proper restoration protects your investment and makes your outdoor space something you're proud of again.

📞 917-250-2222
🌐 hammerandhew.com

03/09/2026

You usually see us posting about custom decks, but when it comes to the safety of your home's exterior, we’ve got you covered.

🫩The old concrete steps were completely crumbling, caving in, and an absolute nightmare to walk on. It wasn't just an eyesore; it was a serious liability for the residents.

The Fix: We jumped in, demoed the failing concrete, and installed a brand-new, heavy-duty set of concrete steps. The best part? We had the entire job wrapped up in a single day. No long disruptions, just immediate safety and a clean new look for the entryway. ✅

Check out the rest of the slides to see our process!

Got a dangerous entryway or a backyard project on your to-do list?
👇 Send us a DM or click the link in our bio for a FREE estimate!

02/10/2026

🫵Thinking about upgrading your backyard this year? We have a special welcome offer just for you.

Only at Hammer & Hew: All NEW customers get an exclusive 10% OFF their deck construction or restoration project!

Our spring schedule is filling up fast, so you need to lock in your spot. This offer is only valid until the end of March. Don't wait until it's too late!

👇 Ready to transform your outdoor space? DM us "SPRING" for a free estimate!

01/30/2026

Go outside and do the "Shake Test" right now. 👋⚠️

It takes 10 seconds, but it could save a trip to the ER.

How to do it: Stand on your deck, grab a railing post firmly with one hand, and give it a solid push and pull. ❌ If it wobbles: Your deck is not safe. ❌ If the floorboards move with it: The structural connection underneath is failing.

Why does this happen? Most older decks in Philadelphia were built using nails or standard lag bolts that loosen over time due to wood rot or seasonal expansion. A wobbly railing isn't just "loose" it's a system failure waiting to happen when someone leans on it.

We don't patch we secure. At Hammer & Hew, we use tension ties and structural blocking to lock posts to the frame of the house/deck. When we’re done, that post isn't going anywhere.

👇 Did your deck fail the test? Send us a DM with a video of the wobble, and we'll give you a quick assessment!

01/20/2026

Did winter ruin your porch? Or was it doomed from the start? ❄️🏚️

Take a look at the "Before" photo. This represents exactly what happens when poor paint jobs meet a Pennsylvania winter. Moisture gets trapped under old, cheap layers of paint. When the temperature drops, that water freezes and expands, popping the paint right off the columns and decking.

It’s not just ugly—it’s damaging. Exposed wood + Spring rain = Rot. 🌧️

The Transformation: We didn't just paint over the problem. We restored this porch to be the jewel of the neighborhood. ✅ Proper Prep: Removed the failing layers down to a solid base. ✅ Premium Protection: Used high-quality exterior coatings designed to withstand freeze-thaw cycles. ✅ Safety Upgrade: Solid railings and slip-resistant decking.

Don't let another season eat away at your home's value. DM us "SPRING" for a free exterior assessment!

01/13/2026

Why do older decks start to squeak? 🔊

Ever wonder why a deck starts to creak or why nail heads suddenly appear above the surface? It’s usually not about "bad wood"—it’s about physics.

The "Nail Pop" Phenomenon: Traditional decks were often built with smooth nails. Over time, seasonal temperature changes cause wood to expand and contract. This constant movement slowly pushes smooth nails up and out of the joists. 👉 The result: Loose boards, tripping hazards, and that annoying squeak.

The Modern Solution: Today's industry standards have shifted toward structural screws and hidden fasteners. Unlike smooth nails, threaded fasteners "bite" into the material, resisting the natural movement of the wood.

Is your deck showing signs of age? If you are seeing raised nails or loose boards, it might be time to look at maintenance options to secure your space.

📅 DM us if you have questions about deck safety or restoration!

01/09/2026

🚨 Is your porch safe? Or is it a hidden danger?

Sometimes, resurfacing isn't an option. We opened up this project intending to update the look, but the truth was hiding underneath. The old framing (scroll to see the "Before") was rotting, crumbling, and structurally compromised. It was literally ready to collapse.

We made the hard call: Tear it all out and start fresh.

What you see in the photos: 📸 Before: A dangerous, rotting structure that had lost its integrity. 📸 In Progress: A brand new, rock-solid pressure-treated frame. New posts, new joists, new plywood subfloor.

If the bones are bad, we replace them. Because your family's safety matters more than a quick cosmetic fix.

🔨 Worried about what’s under your deck? Call Hammer & Hew for a structural safety check.

Address

1112 N Hancock Street
Philadelphia, PA
19123

Telephone

+19172502222

Website

https://hammerandhew.com/

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