Deck construction

What fails first on a deck is almost never the surface — it’s the framing underneath. Joist hangers without the right structural nails. Pressure-treated lumber not rated for ground contact buried near grade. Stair stringers without a proper landing. We dig footings below the frost line, use proper joist hangers and approved fasteners, and call the framing inspection before any decking goes down. Composite decking is worth the spend on south-facing decks and around pools where wood would weather hard; cedar is still a strong call in a shaded GTA backyard if you stay on top of sealing. Glass railings clean up sightlines on elevated decks; aluminum picket railings read cleaner under three feet of height. Spend on structure, save on surface — you can replace deck boards in twenty years without touching what’s underneath.

Most decks we build are 200–500 sq ft, attached to the back of the home, single level or stepped. Pressure-treated builds run lower; cedar and composite run higher. Multi-level decks with built-in seating, lighting and pergolas push the budget up but they're a different kind of yard.