Composite decks · Ottawa
Composite decks that never need staining.
Boards that won't rot, splinter or fade into grey, on a frame engineered for Ottawa frost. Wash it twice a year and enjoy it for decades.
Composite decks at a glance
- Installed cost$65–100per sq ft, including frame, footings and labour
- Board lifespan25–30+ yrswith manufacturer warranties to match
- Upkeep2× a yearsoap, water and a soft brush
- Our warranty5 yearswritten workmanship warranty
Why composite
Built for freeze, thaw and everything in between.
Ottawa decks go from humid 30 °C summers to −30 °C winters, with dozens of freeze–thaw cycles in between. Wood absorbs that moisture, then checks, cups and splinters. Capped composite boards are sealed in a protective shell, so water, snow and sun don't get in.
- No staining, ever. Colour is built into the board, not painted on.
- No rot or splinters. Safe for bare feet, kids and pets.
- Stain- and fade-resistant. Capped boards shrug off spills, sun and snowmelt.
- Clean, fastener-free surface. Hidden clips mean no nail heads to pop.
What's included
Every composite deck includes
Composite boards are only as good as the frame underneath. Here's what goes into ours.
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Design & permit drawings
Layout, stairs and railing plan, plus the drawings the City needs when a permit is required.
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Frost-proof footings
Footings below the frost line, so your deck doesn't heave or sag after a hard winter.
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Composite-ready frame
Joists spaced to the board maker's specs, with joist tape on top to keep water out of the wood.
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Cleanup & warranty
Site cleaned daily, a final walkthrough, care instructions and a written 5-year workmanship warranty.
Boards & options
Pick the look. We'll handle the rest.
We install capped composite from leading manufacturers such as Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon, and bring physical swatches to your consultation so you can see colours in your own light.
Composite vs. wood vs. PVC- Picture-frame borders
A clean, finished edge in a contrasting colour. - Hidden fasteners
Smooth surface, no visible screws. - Aluminum or glass railings
Matched to the board colour or your windows. - Wide stairs & landings
With riser lights for safe night steps. - Multi-level layouts
For walkouts and sloped yards. - Privacy walls & pergolas
Shade and screening, built in.
Materials compared
How composite stacks up.
Capped composite sits between wood and PVC. Here’s how the four main decking materials compare in Ottawa conditions.
| Material | Lifespan | Upkeep | In summer sun | In an Ottawa winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capped composite | 25–30+ yrs | Wash twice a year | Darker colours get warm; lighter shades stay cooler | The cap sheds water and snowmelt; shovel with a plastic blade |
| Cellular PVC | 30+ yrs | Wash as needed | Noticeably cooler than composite | Fully moisture-proof and lighter |
| Western red cedar | 15–25 yrs | Stain or seal every 2–3 yrs | Comfortable underfoot | Needs a finish to keep moisture out |
| Pressure-treated | 15–20 yrs | Stain or seal every 2–3 yrs | Can splinter as it ages | Checks and cups without regular sealing |
- Capped vs. uncappedEarly composite boards had no protective shell and could stain, fade and grow mould. Current boards are wrapped in a polymer cap; some lines cap three sides, others all four.
- Brand linesManufacturers such as Trex, TimberTech and Fiberon each offer several lines. Higher tiers add deeper grain, richer colour blends and tougher caps.
- Thermal movementComposite grows and shrinks with temperature, mostly along its length. End and butt-joint gaps are set to the maker’s chart for the temperature on install day.
- Joist spacingComposite needs tighter joist spacing than many older wood decks, and more support again for diagonal or herringbone layouts.
- Hidden fastenersClips sit in grooved board edges for a smooth, screw-free surface. Square-edge boards finish the perimeter and stairs.
- Colour and heatLighter, multi-tone colours hide dust and stay cooler. Dark solid colours look striking but warm up on south- and west-facing decks.
Built for Ottawa
Composite in an Ottawa winter.
Composite handles the cold well, but the details matter. Boards stiffen in deep cold, so cutting and fastening follow the maker’s instructions for low temperatures, and gaps leave room for the swing between −30 °C winter nights and 30 °C summer afternoons.
The bigger risk is underneath. A composite surface can outlast an unprotected wood frame, so we cap every joist and beam with joist tape and keep water from pooling where boards meet the house.
Permits for composite decks in Ottawa
Composite decks follow the same City of Ottawa rules as wood. A building permit is generally needed when any part of the deck is more than 60 cm above the ground beside it, when it’s covered, or when it carries a hot tub. Ground-level decks skip the permit but still have to respect the zoning by-law’s setbacks.
With a permit, the City reviews drawings of your footings, framing, guards and house connection, and aims to decide on a complete application within about two weeks. Inspections follow at the footing, framing and final stages, and we book each one.
Ottawa deck permit guide- Frost-line footings. Footings below the frost line, around 1.2 m in Ottawa, or approved helical piles keep the deck flat, so board gaps stay even.
- Snow and shovelling. Frames are sized for months of snow. Shovel along the boards with a plastic shovel to protect the cap.
- Ice melt. Most manufacturers allow calcium chloride ice melt. Check your board’s care guide, which we give you at handover.
- Road salt. Salt tracked in from the driveway can leave a white film on composite. It rinses off with water in spring.
- Drainage. Gaps between boards let meltwater drain through instead of freezing on the surface.
How we build
A composite deck, step by step.
Once materials arrive, most composite decks take 3 to 7 working days on site. Here’s the sequence.
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Consult
Design and board selection
We measure, look at sun and shade, and bring swatches so you can choose colours in your own light.
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Permit
Drawings and permit
When a permit applies, we prepare the drawings and submit them to the City of Ottawa.
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Footings
Footings and posts
Footings go below the frost line or onto helical piles, and are inspected before they’re covered when a permit applies.
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Frame
A composite-ready frame
Joists spaced to the board maker’s specs, joist tape on every joist and beam, and extra blocking for picture-frame borders.
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Boards
Decking and fastening
Boards are gapped for temperature, fastened with hidden clips and finished with borders and stair treads.
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Handover
Railings and walkthrough
Railings go on, the site is cleaned, and we walk you through the manufacturer’s care guide.
What affects the price
What makes a composite deck cost more or less.
Composite pricing comes down to a few choices and the shape of your yard. Our Ottawa deck cost guide and estimator shows how they add up for different sizes.
Where you spend also depends on what you see most. Upgrading the boards you look at every day while keeping the railing simple, or the reverse, is a common way to balance look and budget.
Comparing options? See PVC decking for pools and second storeys and aluminum and glass deck railings. We build composite decks across the region, including our work as a composite deck builder in Kanata, composite decks in Barrhaven and low-maintenance decks in Stittsville.
Deck cost guide and estimator- Board lineEntry, mid and premium lines differ in cap coverage, grain and colour, and in price.
- Size and layoutMulti-level designs, angles and diagonal patterns need more joists and more cutting.
- Height and stairsRaised decks need taller posts, guards and usually a permit; every stair run adds cost.
- Railing styleAluminum pickets, glass panels and cable infill are priced very differently.
- Borders and detailsPicture-frame borders, inlays and built-in lighting add materials and labour.
- Site and tear-outSlopes, tight access and removing an old deck add time.
Seasonal care
Caring for a composite deck through Ottawa’s seasons.
Composite skips the staining, but a few minutes each season keeps it looking new.
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Spring
Rinse off winter grime and ice-melt residue, then wash with soap, warm water and a soft brush, working along the grain. Check stair treads and picture-frame borders for any fasteners that have worked loose.
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Summer
Wipe up grease and food spills promptly, especially around the barbecue. Put a mat under grills and fire tables, and follow your board maker’s guidance on heat sources, since high heat can mark composite.
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Fall
Clear leaves and pine needles before they stain or trap moisture, and keep the gaps between boards open so water drains. A wash before the first snow keeps the surface clean through winter.
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Winter
Use a plastic shovel and push along the boards, never a metal edge. Most manufacturers allow calcium chloride ice melt, while sand can scratch the cap, so keep the care guide we give you at handover handy.
Projects
Recent decks we’ve built
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Composite walkway deck with post lights
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Two-tier cedar deck with built-in planters
How much does a composite deck cost in Ottawa?
Most composite decks we build land between about $65 and $100 per square foot installed. A 300 sq ft deck is typically $19,500 to $30,000, depending on height, stairs, railing style and board line.
Does composite decking get hot in the sun?
Darker composite boards do get warmer than wood in direct summer sun. Lighter colours and PVC boards stay noticeably cooler, so for a south-facing deck we usually recommend a lighter shade.
Can I shovel snow off a composite deck?
Yes. Use a plastic shovel and push along the length of the boards. Most manufacturers also allow calcium chloride ice melt; check your board's care guide, which we give you at handover.
Is the frame under a composite deck also composite?
No. The structure is pressure-treated lumber, which is why we protect the top of every joist with joist tape and space joists to the board maker's specs. A well-built frame lasts as long as the boards on top of it.
Can you put composite boards on my existing deck frame?
Sometimes. If the frame is sound, level and spaced correctly, re-decking with composite can save money. We inspect the joists, beams and footings first and tell you honestly whether it will last as long as the new boards.
Other services
Pair it with
Railings
Aluminum, glass and cable railings that frame the view.
Pergolas & covers
Shade, privacy and lighting that turn a deck into a room.
PVC decks
The coolest, most moisture-proof option for premium builds.
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613-806-4000Talk to the people who'll actually build your deck. Prefer to write? Send the form and we'll get back to you within one business day.
- Call 613-806-4000
- Text 613-806-4000
- hello@ryanscontracting.com
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