PVC decks · Ottawa
The premium deck that stays cool.
Cellular PVC boards contain no wood at all, so there is nothing to rot, swell or stain. Lighter underfoot, cooler in the sun and made for decades.
PVC decks at a glance
- Installed cost$80–120per sq ft, including frame, footings and labour
- Board lifespan30+ yrswith manufacturer warranties to match
- UpkeepAs neededa rinse and a soft brush
- Our warranty5 yearswritten workmanship warranty
Why PVC
No wood inside means nothing to rot.
Composite boards blend wood fibre and plastic. PVC boards don't contain any wood at all, which makes them the most moisture-proof decking you can buy. That matters around pools and hot tubs, under shady trees and anywhere snow sits for months.
PVC is also lighter and stays noticeably cooler than composite in direct sun, which makes a real difference on a south-facing deck in July.
- Fully moisture-proof. Ideal for pools, hot tubs and damp, shady yards.
- Cooler underfoot. More comfortable than composite in full summer sun.
- Mould- and stain-resistant. Spills, sunscreen and snowmelt wipe right off.
- Lightweight and stable. Great for second-storey and rooftop decks.
What's included
Every PVC deck includes
Premium boards deserve a premium frame. Here’s what goes underneath and around them.
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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 the deck stays flat and gaps stay even.
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Tight joist spacing
Joists spaced to the board maker's specs and protected with joist tape for a long-lasting frame.
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Cleanup & warranty
Site cleaned daily, a final walkthrough, care instructions and a written 5-year workmanship warranty.
Boards & options
Made for pools, shade and second storeys.
We install capped PVC decking from leading manufacturers and bring swatches to your consultation so you can compare colours and textures in your own light.
Wood vs. composite vs. PVC- Pool & hot-tub decks
Moisture-proof and comfortable barefoot. - Second-storey decks
Lightweight boards with a clean underside. - Hidden fasteners
Smooth surface, no visible screws. - Picture-frame borders
A clean, finished edge in a contrasting colour. - Glass or aluminum railings
Keep the view, skip the upkeep. - Under-deck drainage
A dry space below for storage or a patio.
Materials compared
PVC, composite and wood side by side.
What sets PVC apart from the other decking materials, and where each one makes sense in Ottawa.
| Material | Lifespan | Moisture | Weight and feel | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cellular PVC | 30+ yrs | No wood fibre, so it won’t absorb water | Lightest, and coolest in direct sun | Wash as needed |
| Capped composite | 25–30+ yrs | A cap protects a wood-and-plastic core | Denser; darker colours warm up | Wash twice a year |
| Western red cedar | 15–25 yrs | Absorbs water without a finish | Light and warm underfoot | Stain or seal every 2–3 yrs |
| Pressure-treated | 15–20 yrs | Absorbs water; checks when unsealed | Heavy and stiff | Stain or seal every 2–3 yrs |
- Cellular PVC, explainedPVC decking has a foamed (cellular) core with a harder outer cap. The foamed core keeps weight down; the cap adds stain and scratch resistance.
- Brand optionsSeveral manufacturers make PVC decking, including TimberTech AZEK. Lines differ in texture, colour depth and board profile.
- Expansion and contractionPVC moves more with temperature than wood. Board ends are gapped to the maker’s chart, and long runs are broken up with borders or breaker boards.
- Heat and colourPVC stays noticeably cooler than composite in direct sun, and lighter colours stay cooler still.
- Grip when wetEmbossed wood-grain textures give grip, and many lines are rated for pool surrounds.
- Where PVC fitsPool and hot-tub decks, shaded yards where moisture lingers, and second-storey decks where lighter boards help.
Built for Ottawa
Why PVC suits Ottawa’s wettest spots.
Snow that sits for months, spring meltwater and shade that keeps boards damp into June are hard on any deck. PVC contains no wood fibre, so it can’t absorb that water, swell or grow mould inside the board.
That makes it a strong fit around pools and hot tubs and under mature trees. The frame underneath is still pressure-treated wood, so we protect every joist with joist tape and keep the underside ventilated so it dries out between storms.
Permits for PVC, pool and hot-tub decks
In Ottawa, a deck generally needs a building permit when any part is more than 60 cm above the ground beside it, when it’s covered, or when it supports something heavy like a hot tub, so many PVC pool and hot-tub decks need one. Pool decks also have to work with the City’s pool enclosure rules.
Permit drawings cover the footings, the framing (including any extra structure under a hot tub), the guards and the connection to the house. The City aims to decide on complete applications within about two weeks, and inspectors check the footings, framing and finished deck. We handle the drawings, the application and the inspections.
Ottawa deck permit guide- Frost-line footings. Footings below the frost line, around 1.2 m in Ottawa, or approved helical piles keep board gaps even year-round.
- Hot-tub loads. A filled hot tub weighs far more than people or snow. The frame and footings beneath it are designed for that load.
- Snow and ice melt. Shovel with a plastic shovel and use an ice melt approved by the board maker.
- Salt and pool water. The cap resists salt residue and splash from pool water; a spring rinse clears what’s left.
- Second-storey decks. Lighter boards reduce the weight on tall posts, and under-deck drainage keeps the space below dry.
How we build
A PVC deck, step by step.
Once materials arrive, most PVC decks take 3 to 7 working days on site. Pool and second-storey decks can take longer.
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Consult
Design and board selection
We look at sun, shade, pools and access, and bring swatches so you can compare colours and textures in your own light.
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Permit
Drawings and permit
When a permit applies, we prepare the drawings, including any hot-tub structure, 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 frame spaced for PVC
Joists are spaced to the board maker’s specs and capped with joist tape; under-deck drainage goes in now if you want it.
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Boards
Decking and fastening
Boards are gapped for temperature, fastened with hidden clips, and finished with picture-frame borders and stairs.
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Handover
Railings and walkthrough
Glass or aluminum railings go on, the site is cleaned, and we walk you through the care guide.
What affects the price
What makes a PVC deck cost more or less.
PVC is priced on the same factors as any deck, plus a few that come with pools and second storeys. Our Ottawa deck cost guide and estimator shows how size and material add up.
Because PVC is often chosen for pools, hot tubs and second storeys, those decks tend to carry more structure than a typical ground-level deck. That structure is listed separately on your quote, so you can see exactly where the cost comes from.
Still choosing a board? Compare with our composite deck builder page, and pair PVC with glass and aluminum deck railings. We install PVC across the region, including PVC decks in Riverside South and PVC deck installation in Orleans.
Deck cost guide and estimator- Board line and profilePremium textures, colour blends and wider boards cost more.
- Size and layoutMulti-level designs, angles and breaker boards add materials and cutting.
- Height and second storeysTall posts, heavier beams, guards and permits for raised decks.
- Pools and hot tubsExtra framing and footings for heavy loads, and planning around pool enclosure rules.
- Railing styleGlass, aluminum pickets and cable infill are priced very differently.
- Drainage and extrasUnder-deck drainage, lighting and privacy walls.
Seasonal care
Caring for a PVC deck through Ottawa’s seasons.
PVC needs the least care of any deck, but it still rewards a quick check-in each season.
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Spring
Rinse the deck and wash it with a mild soap and a soft brush to clear winter grime and ice-melt residue. Check the stairs, borders and railing posts for anything that moved over the winter.
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Summer
Rinse off pool splash, sunscreen and food spills before they dry. Lift furniture rather than dragging it, and use a mat under grills and fire tables as your board maker recommends.
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Fall
Clear leaves from the surface and the gaps between boards, especially in shaded yards where they stay damp. If you have under-deck drainage, clear the troughs and downspouts so they flow freely.
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Winter
Shovel with a plastic shovel, pushing along the boards, and use an ice melt approved by the board maker. On a second-storey deck, keep drains clear so meltwater doesn’t pool or freeze.
Projects
Low-maintenance decks we’ve built
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Composite walkway deck with post lights
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Ryan's project 
Covered cedar deck with glass railing
What is the difference between PVC and composite decking?
Composite boards are a mix of wood fibre and plastic with a protective cap. PVC boards are 100% synthetic, with no wood inside. That makes PVC lighter, cooler in the sun and fully moisture-proof, but it also costs more.
How much does a PVC deck cost in Ottawa?
Most PVC decks we build cost about $80 to $120 per square foot installed. A 300 sq ft PVC deck typically lands between $24,000 and $36,000, depending on height, stairs, railings and the board line.
Is PVC decking slippery?
Quality PVC boards have an embossed wood-grain texture for grip, and many lines are rated for wet areas like pool surrounds. In winter, treat it like any deck: shovel with a plastic shovel and use an approved ice melt.
Is PVC worth the extra cost over composite?
If your deck is near a pool or hot tub, sits in full sun or deep shade, or is up on a second storey, PVC is often worth it. For most ground-level family decks, composite gives you nearly the same low upkeep for less.
Can a PVC deck hold a hot tub?
The boards can, but the frame and footings have to be designed for it. A filled hot tub is far heavier than people or snow, so we add structure under it and include it in the permit drawings, since decks that support a hot tub generally need a permit in Ottawa.
Other services
Pair it with
Composite decks
Low-maintenance boards that never need staining.
Railings
Aluminum, glass and cable railings that frame the view.
Pergolas & covers
Shade, privacy and lighting that turn a deck into a room.
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Free quote
Call or text for a free quote.
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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