---
layout: default
title: "Simcoe Trades Journal | Verified Contractor Spotlights & Case Studies"
---

<!-- Hero Section -->
<section class="relative bg-gradient-to-b from-slate-900 via-slate-900 to-slate-950 border-b border-slate-800 py-16 sm:py-24">
  <div class="max-w-7xl mx-auto px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8 text-center">
    <div class="inline-flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-1.5 rounded-full bg-amber-500/10 border border-amber-500/30 text-amber-400 text-xs font-bold uppercase tracking-wider mb-6">
      <svg class="w-4 h-4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M9 12l2 2 4-4m6 2a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z"></path></svg>
      Central Ontario Construction & Trade Directory
    </div>
    
    <h1 class="text-4xl sm:text-5xl lg:text-6xl font-black text-white font-heading tracking-tight leading-tight max-w-4xl mx-auto">
      Real Projects. Verified Contractors. <span class="text-amber-400">Local Expertise.</span>
    </h1>

    <p class="mt-6 text-lg sm:text-xl text-slate-300 max-w-2xl mx-auto leading-relaxed">
      Detailed case studies, project specifications, and craftsmanship spotlights for top-tier roofers and custom contractors serving Barrie, Orillia, Severn & Simcoe County.
    </p>

    <!-- Stat Highlights -->
    <div class="mt-12 grid grid-cols-2 sm:grid-cols-3 gap-4 sm:gap-6 max-w-3xl mx-auto">
      <div class="p-4 rounded-xl bg-slate-800/60 border border-slate-700/80">
        <div class="text-2xl sm:text-3xl font-extrabold text-amber-400 font-heading">100% Verified</div>
        <div class="text-xs text-slate-400 mt-1 uppercase tracking-wider font-semibold">Local Trade Companies</div>
      </div>
      <div class="p-4 rounded-xl bg-slate-800/60 border border-slate-700/80">
        <div class="text-2xl sm:text-3xl font-extrabold text-amber-400 font-heading">Simcoe County</div>
        <div class="text-xs text-slate-400 mt-1 uppercase tracking-wider font-semibold">Barrie, Orillia, Severn</div>
      </div>
      <div class="p-4 rounded-xl bg-slate-800/60 border border-slate-700/80 col-span-2 sm:col-span-1">
        <div class="text-2xl sm:text-3xl font-extrabold text-amber-400 font-heading">Case Studies</div>
        <div class="text-xs text-slate-400 mt-1 uppercase tracking-wider font-semibold">Full Specs & Photos</div>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</section>

<!-- Featured Contractor Profiles Bar -->
<section id="directory" class="py-12 bg-slate-900/40 border-b border-slate-800/60">
  <div class="max-w-7xl mx-auto px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
    <div class="flex items-center justify-between mb-8">
      <div>
        <h2 class="text-2xl font-bold text-white font-heading">Featured Local Contractors</h2>
        <p class="text-sm text-slate-400 mt-1">Direct links to official contractor websites & portfolios</p>
      </div>
      <span class="text-xs font-semibold text-amber-400 bg-amber-500/10 px-3 py-1 rounded-full border border-amber-500/20">3 Verified Listings</span>
    </div>

    <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-3 gap-6">
      
      <!-- Midhurst Roofing Card -->
      <div class="trade-card p-6 rounded-2xl border border-slate-800 flex flex-col justify-between">
        <div>
          <div class="h-20 bg-white rounded-xl p-3 flex items-center justify-center mb-5 border border-slate-700">
            <img src="{{ '/assets/images/logos/midhurst-roofing.png' | relative_url }}" alt="Midhurst Roofing" class="max-h-14 max-w-full object-contain">
          </div>
          <span class="px-2.5 py-1 rounded text-[11px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider bg-amber-500/20 text-amber-400 border border-amber-500/30 inline-block mb-3">
            Commercial & Industrial Roofing
          </span>
          <h3 class="text-lg font-bold text-white font-heading">Midhurst Roofing</h3>
          <p class="text-xs text-slate-400 mt-1 leading-relaxed">
            Specializing in commercial flat roofing, TPO membranes, and industrial repair in Barrie & Simcoe County.
          </p>
        </div>
        <div class="mt-6 pt-4 border-t border-slate-800 flex items-center justify-between">
          <span class="text-xs font-medium text-slate-400">📍 Barrie, ON</span>
          <a href="https://midhurstroofing.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="text-xs font-bold text-amber-400 hover:text-amber-300 flex items-center gap-1">
            Visit Site
            <svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </div>
      </div>

      <!-- Severn Roofing Card -->
      <div class="trade-card p-6 rounded-2xl border border-slate-800 flex flex-col justify-between">
        <div>
          <div class="h-20 bg-white rounded-xl p-3 flex items-center justify-center mb-5 border border-slate-700">
            <img src="{{ '/assets/images/logos/severn-roofing.png' | relative_url }}" alt="Severn Roofing" class="max-h-14 max-w-full object-contain">
          </div>
          <span class="px-2.5 py-1 rounded text-[11px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider bg-sky-500/20 text-sky-400 border border-sky-500/30 inline-block mb-3">
            Residential Roofing & Metal
          </span>
          <h3 class="text-lg font-bold text-white font-heading">Severn Roofing</h3>
          <p class="text-xs text-slate-400 mt-1 leading-relaxed">
            High-wind architectural shingle installations, emergency repairs, and copper flashings across Orillia & Severn.
          </p>
        </div>
        <div class="mt-6 pt-4 border-t border-slate-800 flex items-center justify-between">
          <span class="text-xs font-medium text-slate-400">📍 Orillia & Severn</span>
          <a href="https://severnroofing.ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="text-xs font-bold text-sky-400 hover:text-sky-300 flex items-center gap-1">
            Visit Site
            <svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </div>
      </div>

      <!-- Sean Pro Contracting Card -->
      <div class="trade-card p-6 rounded-2xl border border-slate-800 flex flex-col justify-between">
        <div>
          <div class="h-20 bg-slate-950 rounded-xl p-3 flex items-center justify-center mb-5 border border-amber-500/40">
            <img src="{{ '/assets/images/logos/sean-pro-contracting.png' | relative_url }}" alt="Sean Pro Contracting" class="max-h-14 max-w-full object-contain">
          </div>
          <span class="px-2.5 py-1 rounded text-[11px] font-bold uppercase tracking-wider bg-amber-500/20 text-amber-400 border border-amber-500/30 inline-block mb-3">
            Timber Framing & Custom Decks
          </span>
          <h3 class="text-lg font-bold text-white font-heading">Sean Pro Contracting</h3>
          <p class="text-xs text-slate-400 mt-1 leading-relaxed">
            Custom heavy timber pavilions, cedar soffits, outdoor living structures, and exterior carpentry.
          </p>
        </div>
        <div class="mt-6 pt-4 border-t border-slate-800 flex items-center justify-between">
          <span class="text-xs font-medium text-slate-400">📍 Simcoe County</span>
          <a href="https://www.instagram.com/seanprocontracting/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="text-xs font-bold text-amber-400 hover:text-amber-300 flex items-center gap-1">
            Instagram Portfolio
            <svg class="w-3.5 h-3.5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M10 6H6a2 2 0 00-2 2v10a2 2 0 002 2h10a2 2 0 002-2v-4M14 4h6m0 0v6m0-6L10 14"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </div>
      </div>

    </div>
  </div>
</section>

<!-- Main Case Studies Grid Section -->
<section class="py-16">
  <div class="max-w-7xl mx-auto px-4 sm:px-6 lg:px-8">
    <div class="flex flex-col md:flex-row md:items-end justify-between mb-10 pb-4 border-b border-slate-800">
      <div>
        <h2 class="text-3xl font-extrabold text-white font-heading tracking-tight">Contractor Case Studies & Job Highlights</h2>
        <p class="text-slate-400 text-sm mt-1">Deep dives into recent commercial, residential, and custom trade projects in Ontario.</p>
      </div>
      <div class="mt-4 md:mt-0 flex gap-2">
        <span class="px-3 py-1 rounded-full bg-slate-800 text-slate-300 text-xs font-semibold">Latest Work</span>
      </div>
    </div>

    <div class="grid grid-cols-1 md:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-8">
      {% for post in site.posts %}
      <article class="trade-card rounded-2xl overflow-hidden border border-slate-800 flex flex-col justify-between shadow-xl">
        <div>
          <!-- Hero Thumbnail -->
          <a href="{{ post.url | relative_url }}" class="block relative group overflow-hidden">
            <img src="{{ post.hero_image | relative_url }}" alt="{{ post.title }}" class="w-full h-52 object-cover group-hover:scale-105 transition-transform duration-300">
            <div class="absolute top-4 left-4">
              <span class="px-3 py-1 rounded-full text-xs font-bold bg-slate-950/80 backdrop-blur-md text-amber-400 border border-amber-500/30">
                {{ post.category }}
              </span>
            </div>
          </a>

          <!-- Body -->
          <div class="p-6">
            <!-- Contractor Mini Header -->
            <div class="flex items-center gap-3 mb-4 pb-3 border-b border-slate-800">
              <img src="{{ post.contractor_logo | relative_url }}" alt="{{ post.contractor_name }}" class="w-8 h-8 object-contain rounded bg-white p-1">
              <div>
                <a href="{{ post.contractor_url }}" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="text-xs font-bold text-slate-200 hover:text-amber-400 transition-colors block">
                  {{ post.contractor_name }}
                </a>
                <span class="text-[11px] text-slate-400">📍 {{ post.location }}</span>
              </div>
            </div>

            <h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-white font-heading leading-snug mb-3 hover:text-amber-400 transition-colors">
              <a href="{{ post.url | relative_url }}">
                {{ post.title }}
              </a>
            </h3>

            <p class="text-sm text-slate-300 line-clamp-3 leading-relaxed mb-4">
              {{ post.subtitle }}
            </p>
          </div>
        </div>

        <!-- Footer / Read More -->
        <div class="px-6 pb-6 pt-2 flex items-center justify-between border-t border-slate-800/80 text-xs">
          <span class="text-slate-400 font-medium">{{ post.date | date: "%b %d, %Y" }}</span>
          <a href="{{ post.url | relative_url }}" class="font-bold text-amber-400 hover:text-amber-300 flex items-center gap-1 group">
            Read Case Study
            <svg class="w-4 h-4 group-hover:translate-x-1 transition-transform" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" viewBox="0 0 24 24"><path stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" stroke-width="2" d="M14 5l7 7m0 0l-7 7m7-7H3"></path></svg>
          </a>
        </div>
      </article>
      {% endfor %}
    </div>
  </div>
</section>