Composite, cedar, PVC, pressure‑treated and ipê — with real prices, lifespan data and climate ratings rated for Canadian winters.
Composite, cedar, PVC, pressure-treated and ipe — real prices, lifespan data, and climate ratings.
Installed cost, in-climate lifespan, maintenance burden, freeze-thaw resistance. Rated for Canadian winters, not marketing brochures.
Fifteen boards rated for price, lifespan and how they hold up to Canadian winters.
Composite decking is an engineered board made from a mix of wood fibres and recycled plastic polymers, topped with a protective polymer cap. The cap shields against UV fading, staining, mould, and moisture — which is why composite decks maintain their appearance for decades without the annual staining ritual that wood decks demand.
Pressure-treated (PT) lumber is softwood — typically Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) or Southern Yellow Pine — that has been infused with chemical preservatives under high pressure in a sealed cylinder. The treatment prevents rot, insect damage, and fungal decay that would destroy untreated softwood within a few years of outdoor exposure.
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is the only major decking wood grown and harvested in Canada. The forests of British Columbia produce the world's supply, making cedar the most authentically Canadian decking choice — with shorter supply chains and lower carbon footprint than imported composite or exotic hardwood.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) decking and composite decking look similar but differ at the molecular level. Composite contains wood fibres mixed with plastic — typically 50/50. PVC decking is 100% cellular PVC with zero wood content.
Every Canadian province enforces railing requirements based on the National Building Code (NBC). The rules are non-negotiable — a deck without proper railings fails inspection and cannot be used legally.
Deck screws are the most overlooked component of a deck build — and the most common cause of premature failure. The wrong screws in pressure-treated lumber will corrode within 2–3 years, creating rust stains, loose boards, and structural weakness.
Every deck needs a foundation that transfers the weight of the structure, furniture, people, and snow load down to stable soil below the frost line. In Canada, this is more critical than in moderate climates because of frost heave.
Deck skirting (also called deck apron or underpinning) is the material that covers the gap between the deck surface and the ground. On any raised deck, this gap exposes the substructure — joists, beams, cross-bracing, and stored items — creating an eyesore and an invitation for animals.
Canadian building codes are specific about deck stairs. The National Building Code of Canada and provincial codes (OBC, BCBC, CCQ) all regulate:
Lights that replace or sit on top of railing posts. The easiest way to add ambient lighting. Available in solar (no wiring) and low-voltage (12V wired) versions.
Ipê (pronounced "ee-pay"), also called Brazilian Walnut or Ironwood, is a tropical hardwood from Central and South America. It is the densest and hardest commercially available decking wood, with a Janka hardness rating of 3,680 lbs — compared to 350 for cedar and 570 for pressure-treated SPF.
Aluminum decking uses extruded aluminum planks with powder-coated finishes in wood-grain textures. The planks interlock to create a watertight surface, unlike wood or composite decking where water drains between boards.
Canada's climate is uniquely destructive to exposed wood. A pressure-treated or cedar deck in Toronto experiences over 100 freeze-thaw cycles per winter, intense UV exposure from May through September, and moisture from rain, snow, and ice that would degrade unprotected wood within 3–5 years.
Railing posts are vertical end grain — the most vulnerable part of any wood structure. Without a cap, rain and snowmelt soak directly into the end grain, accelerating rot from the inside out. On pressure-treated posts, this can reduce post life from 20 years to 5–8 years. On cedar posts, even faster.
A pergola is an outdoor structure with vertical posts supporting an open or partially covered roof of cross-beams and rafters. Unlike a gazebo (fully covered) or an awning (attached to the house only), a pergola can be freestanding or attached and provides partial shade while maintaining an open-air feeling.
Tell us about your space. We’ll come back within 48 hours with a fixed-price quote, material recommendations, and a timeline.
Get your quote→