The entrepreneurial spirit runs deep in the Verblaauw family, which prides itself on honest work, clear communication, attention to detail and treating customers with respect. It’s a legacy formed over five decades, since 1970 when Cornelius Verblaauw founded his carpentry business C. Verblaauw & Sons.
His son, Bruce Verblaauw, learned the trade at his side—and along with the skills Bruce acquired, he embraced the values Verblaauw instilled in every job. As the decades passed, Bruce took on the mantle of the family business, guiding and growing it as the industry evolved, along with his wife, Judy, who joined him in the early 2000s.
Since then, the Ramsey-based family business has evolved into the award-winning NJ Decks and Outdoor Living and welcomed a third generation, with daughters Ally Commoroto and Ashley Helbig joining the company. “We saw how people wanted to expand services beyond decks and railings,” says Bruce, “We are a design-and-build company. Our name reflects our customers’ intention to focus on the full scope of outdoor living spaces, including patios, pergolas and overall outdoor transformations.”
Serving northern New Jersey and parts of Rockland County, New York, the company transforms homeowners’ outdoor living spaces through a variety of services, including long-lasting custom deck, patio and pavers, and porches that are tailored to the homeowner’s lifestyle and design preferences. They design and install custom pergolas and modern louvered roof systems and retractable or fixed awnings that create shaded and sheltered spaces. The team also designs and builds custom outdoor kitchens, designs and installs integrated deck lighting systems and permanent outdoor fire features that are thoughtfully integrated into the deck, patio or outdoor living area. To block unwanted views or reduce distractions, they can tailor privacy screens and walls to the space. If a customer has an existing deck, the team will assess whether deck resurfacing or full remodeling is the right path. “We create realistic 3D designs, which help people envision their beautiful outdoor living space,” says Judy.
Following the lead of Verblaauw, the family continues to source top-rated materials—Trex and TimberTech for decks and Aristocrat Awnings—and treats customers as if they were family members. And this attention to detail is beyond comparison. For example, Bruce notes, a detail that sets NJ Decks and Outdoor Living apart is the framing underneath the deck. “We use steel, not wood,” he says. “Wood is not what it used to be. You put this beautiful new 50-year warranty decking on wood framing but the wood can rot out in five or ten years and you have to redo the deck again. Steel is not going to go anywhere.”
A trend the family sees is customers’ desire for depth in outdoor spaces. “We are seeing people incorporating both decks and patios rather than one big deck or one big patio,” says Judy Verblaauw. “For example, people are having a smaller deck lead to a patio or a deck leading to a patio that leads to a pool.”
Inspired? You do not have to wait to get the design process started. “The fall and the winter are the best times to start talking about the whole project and get designs going,” says Judy “People don’t realize we work all winter long—even in the snow.”
One of the family’s greatest pleasures in being a locally owned company is giving back to and being an active part in the community, including participating in the Chamber of Commerce. “The girls were raised in in Mahwah,” says Judy “I love being part of this tight-knit community where so many people know each other. I love the downtown home feel of Ramsay.”
They enjoy attending town events, including the farmers market and the annual Home for the Holidays, where they often connect with current and previous customers. “We love seeing people who we built decks for or have a signed contract with,” says Ally Commoroto. “We will walk by each other and say ‘Oh, hi!’ It’s awesome.”
Over three decades, the family has witnessed and reacted to many industry changes. They stay current with design-and-build trends by participating in trade shows as well as attending quarterly meetings and the annual summit hosted by the North American Deck and Railing Association (NADRA). Additionally, they schedule hands-on training and factory tours with the leading brands they use to stay informed on product creation and installation.
Their work has been recognized by more than their customers. NJ Decks and Outdoor Living recently won a NADRA Summit Award for a curved deck project they completed in Mahwah. According to NADRA, the company competed against professionals from across North America and was honored for their high level of craftsmanship, creative problem-solving and technical innovation in areas such as complex framing, custom fabrication and integrated lighting. It is a fitting testament to this multi-generational company that stays ahead of the curve and puts customers first.
That award reflects a legacy of craftsmanship passed down through generations. Today, NJ Decks and Outdoor Living continues to create spaces that bring people together.
“We love seeing people who we built decks for or have a signed contract with, We will walk by each other and say ‘Oh, hi!’ It’s awesome." - Ally Commoroto