Wood decks · Ottawa
Real wood, built properly.
Cedar and pressure-treated decks with the warmth only real wood has, on a frame and footings that won't let you down.
Wood decks at a glance
- Installed cost$40–80per sq ft, pressure-treated to cedar
- Board lifespan15–25 yrswith regular sealing
- UpkeepEvery 2–3 yrsclean, then stain or seal
- Our warranty5 yearswritten workmanship warranty
Why wood
Nothing looks or feels quite like it.
Wood is still the most affordable way to get a well-built deck, and nothing else matches its look, smell and feel underfoot. Pressure-treated lumber keeps the budget down; western red cedar adds rich colour and natural resistance to rot and insects.
The trade-off is upkeep. Ottawa's freeze–thaw cycles are hard on wood, so a wood deck needs a fresh coat of stain or sealer every two or three years to stay looking its best.
- Lowest upfront cost. Pressure-treated decks cost about a third less than composite.
- Cedar warmth. Naturally rot- and insect-resistant, with a colour you can refresh.
- Easy to repair. Damaged boards can be swapped one at a time.
- Any colour you like. Stain it, change it later, or let cedar silver naturally.
What's included
Every wood deck includes
The boards you see are only half the job. Here’s what goes into every wood deck we build.
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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 stays level after a hard winter.
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Ground-contact frame
Pressure-treated posts, beams and joists rated for ground contact, with hidden hardware where it counts.
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Finishing advice & warranty
When and how to stain your new deck, a final walkthrough and a written 5-year workmanship warranty.
Wood & options
Pressure-treated or cedar?
Pressure-treated is the budget-friendly workhorse and takes stain well once it dries out. Cedar costs more but is lighter, more stable and naturally beautiful. We'll bring swatches of both and help you choose for your yard and budget.
Wood vs. composite vs. PVC- Pressure-treated decking
Strong, affordable and easy to stain. - Western red cedar
Rich colour and natural rot resistance. - Wood or aluminum railings
Classic spindles or low-maintenance metal. - Built-in benches & planters
Seating and greenery built into the deck. - Privacy screens
Slatted walls for close neighbours. - Composite stair treads
Low-upkeep steps where wear is highest.
Materials compared
Pressure-treated, cedar and the alternatives.
How the main decking materials hold up in Ottawa conditions, so you can see exactly where wood fits.
| Material | Lifespan | Upkeep | In an Ottawa winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated pine | 15–20 yrs | Stain or seal every 2–3 yrs | Strong and stiff, but unsealed boards soak up snowmelt, then check and cup after repeated freeze–thaw. |
| Western red cedar | 15–25 yrs | Stain or seal every 2–3 yrs | Lighter and more stable than pine, with natural oils that resist rot. Still needs a finish to keep water out. |
| Capped composite | 25–30+ yrs | Wash twice a year | A protective cap sheds water and snowmelt. Shovel with a plastic blade. |
| Cellular PVC | 30+ yrs | Wash as needed | No wood fibre at all, so there is nothing to absorb water or swell. |
- Treated-wood hardwarePressure-treated lumber uses copper-based preservatives that corrode plain steel, so every hanger, screw and bolt is hot-dip galvanized or stainless.
- Drying and shrinkageTreated boards arrive wet and shrink as they dry. We pick straight stock and gap boards to allow for it, which keeps cupping and twisting down.
- Cedar gradesKnotty cedar has a rustic, characterful look. Clearer grades show fewer knots and cost more.
- Finish choicesClear sealers show the grain, semi-transparent stains add colour while the grain shows through, and solid stains hide the most but need the most prep when they wear.
- One frame, any surfaceComposite and PVC decks also sit on a pressure-treated frame, so the framing standard is the same whichever boards you choose.
- Mix and matchComposite stair treads or aluminum railings on a wood deck put low-upkeep materials where wear is highest.
Built for Ottawa
What Ottawa winters do to a wood deck.
Ottawa decks go through dozens of freeze–thaw cycles every winter. Water soaks into end grain, cracks and fastener holes, freezes, expands and slowly opens them up. A wood deck built and finished with that in mind lasts far longer than one that isn’t.
Most of the damage we see on older Ottawa decks starts underneath: posts set on shallow blocks, joists left bare where water sits, and ledgers fastened to the house without flashing. Those are the details we build around from day one.
How deck permits work in Ottawa
The City of Ottawa generally requires a building permit when any part of a deck is more than 60 cm (about 2 ft) above the ground next to it, when it has a roof, or when it will support something heavy like a hot tub. Low decks skip the permit but still have to follow the zoning by-law’s setbacks from your property lines.
A permit application includes a site plan, footing and framing plans, a section showing the deck height, stairs and guards, and details of how the deck connects to the house. For a complete application, the City aims to make a decision within about two weeks. An inspector then checks the footings, the framing and the finished deck. We prepare the drawings, apply for the permit and book each inspection.
Ottawa deck permit guide- Frost-line footings. Footings sit below the frost line, around 1.2 m in Ottawa, or on approved helical piles, so the deck doesn’t heave every spring.
- Clay soils. Parts of Ottawa sit on clay that holds water and moves with frost. Footings sized for the soil keep posts from shifting.
- Snow load. Snow can sit on a deck for months and drift deep against the house. Beams, joists and spans are sized to carry it.
- Road salt and ice melt. Rock salt tracked onto a deck can stain and dry out wood. A plastic shovel and a wood-safe ice melt are gentler on boards and finish.
- Flashed ledger. Where the deck meets the house, flashing sends water away from the ledger and rim joist instead of into them.
How we build
A wood deck, step by step.
Most decks take 3 to 7 working days on site once materials arrive. Here’s what happens from the first visit to the final walkthrough.
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Measure
Site visit and design
We measure the yard, check grade, sun and access, and sketch a layout with stairs, railings and any built-in benches or planters.
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Permit
Drawings and permit
If the deck needs a permit, we prepare the drawings and submit the application to the City of Ottawa.
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Footings
Footings below frost
Footings go in to the depth the design calls for, and are inspected before they are covered when a permit applies.
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Frame
Framing and ledger
Posts, beams and joists go up with treated-wood-rated hardware, and the ledger is flashed against the house.
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Boards
Decking, stairs and guards
Boards are laid with drying gaps, stairs are built to code for rise and run, and guards go in wherever the deck is more than 600 mm above the ground.
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Handover
Final walkthrough
We clean up, walk the deck with you, close out the permit and explain when the new wood will be ready for its first coat of stain.
What affects the price
What makes a wood deck cost more or less.
Every wood deck is priced from the same handful of factors. Knowing them helps you decide where to spend and where to save. Our Ottawa deck cost guide and estimator shows how they add up for different sizes and materials.
Weighing wood against low-maintenance boards? Compare it with composite deck installation, or if your current deck just needs work, see deck repair and replacement. We build wood decks across the city, including cedar decks in Manotick and pressure-treated decks in Carp.
Deck cost guide and estimator- Size and shapeMore square footage means more lumber and labour. Angles, curves and multiple levels add cutting and framing time.
- Pressure-treated or cedarCedar decking costs more than pressure-treated, and clear grades more than knotty.
- Height off the groundRaised decks need taller posts, heavier beams and guards, and above 60 cm usually drawings and a permit.
- Stairs and landingsEvery set of stairs adds stringers, treads, handrails and footings.
- Railing styleWood spindles, aluminum pickets and glass panels are priced very differently.
- Site and tear-outSlopes, tight access and removing an old deck all add time.
Seasonal care
Caring for a wood deck through Ottawa’s seasons.
A little attention at the right time of year keeps a wood deck looking good and adds years to its life.
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Spring
Once the snow is gone, sweep off debris and wash the boards with a deck cleaner and a soft brush. Look for popped screws, loose railing posts and boards that cracked over the winter, and check that the stairs still sit firmly on their footings.
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Summer
Summer is staining season. Pick a dry stretch with no rain in the forecast, check that the wood soaks up a few drops of water, and apply stain or sealer to clean, dry boards. New pressure-treated decks often need a few months to dry before their first coat.
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Fall
Clear leaves and move planters off the boards so moisture doesn’t sit under them all winter. Trim back plants touching the deck, clean out the gaps between boards and make sure downspouts aren’t draining onto the deck or its footings.
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Winter
Shovel with a plastic shovel, pushing along the length of the boards. Leave a thin layer of snow rather than scraping down to bare wood, and skip rock salt, which can stain and dry out the boards.
Projects
Wood decks we’ve built
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Ryan's project
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Two-tier cedar deck with built-in planters
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Covered deck with timber pergola
How much does a wood deck cost in Ottawa?
Most pressure-treated decks we build cost about $40 to $60 per square foot installed, and cedar decks about $55 to $80. A 300 sq ft pressure-treated deck typically lands between $12,000 and $18,000, depending on height, stairs and railings.
How long does a wood deck last in Ottawa?
A well-built wood deck usually lasts 15 to 25 years here. The frame and footings matter most; regular cleaning and a fresh coat of stain or sealer every two to three years keep the boards from cracking and greying.
When can I stain a new pressure-treated deck?
New pressure-treated lumber is wet when it's installed, so it needs time to dry before it will take stain, often a few months. Sprinkle a little water on the boards: if it soaks in, it's ready. We'll give you a care guide at handover.
Is cedar worth the extra cost?
Cedar is lighter, less likely to warp or check, naturally resistant to rot and insects, and has a warmer colour. If you love the look of real wood and plan to stay in your home, it is usually worth it. If budget is the priority, pressure-treated is a solid choice.
How deep do deck footings need to be in Ottawa?
Footings need to sit below the frost line, which is around 1.2 m in Ottawa, or use an approved alternative like helical piles. Shallow footings and deck blocks move with frost, which is why so many older decks heave and sag.
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.
Last updated:
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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