A General Contracting Company You Can Trust.
A General Contracting Company You Can Trust.
Deck projects look straightforward until you start thinking through the details — how the deck attaches to the house, what the grade is doing in that part of the yard, where the stairs should land. The decisions you make at the planning stage determine whether the deck works well for years or becomes a source of ongoing frustration.
We build decks for homeowners across the Kawarthas, Peterborough, Durham Region, and Simcoe County. Before any dimensions get set, we want to see the property — the grade, the connection point to the house, and how the outdoor space flows.
A lot of deck projects start with access. The back door opens to a step down to grade — or a steep drop on a sloped yard — and getting from inside to the yard is awkward. A deck that brings the outdoor level up to the door and gives you a usable platform solves that.
Outdoor living space is the other main driver. A yard without any defined outdoor area doesn’t get used the way people intend. A deck gives you somewhere for furniture, a grill, a table — it makes being outside intentional rather than just standing on the lawn.
On sloped properties, a deck can turn a grade change into a feature. Instead of a difficult-to-use slope, you have a level outdoor platform that extends the usable living area outward.
A deck built close to grade — typically less than 30 inches above the ground, which in most Ontario municipalities means no railing is required. These have a simpler structural profile and an open feel. Good for flat or gently sloped yards where the goal is a defined outdoor platform.
A deck framed well above grade — two or three feet, sometimes more on steeply sloped properties. These require proper ledger attachment to the house structure, beams and posts engineered for the height and load, and railings that meet code. Structural requirements scale with height.
Two or more connected platforms at different heights — used on properties with significant grade changes or to create distinct outdoor zones. A dining area at one level, a sitting area at another, stairs connecting them. The structural connections between levels need careful planning.
A deck with a roof structure — either attached to the house or a freestanding pergola above the deck surface. A covered deck changes how the space gets used, particularly in Ontario's variable summer weather. The additional roof load and wind surface need to be accounted for in the foundation sizing.
The ledger connection is one of the most critical structural details. The ledger attaches the deck to the house’s rim joist or band joist and needs appropriate hardware and flashing. A poorly done ledger connection is a structural failure waiting to happen. We take this seriously.
Footing depth is not optional. In Ontario, frost depth ranges from about 4 to 5 feet. Footings that don’t reach below frost depth heave with freeze-thaw cycles and shift the entire structure over time. There’s no shortcut here worth taking.
Deck construction requires a building permit in Ontario. The permit involves submitted drawings and a framing inspection before the decking goes down. We’re familiar with what municipalities need and can help get that documentation together.
Most properties with a door opening to the outdoors can accommodate a deck. The questions are usually about what size makes sense, whether the grade requires an elevated or multi-level approach, and what materials fit the budget.
On properties with very limited outdoor space, the conversation is about what’s achievable and whether a deck is the best use of the available space. That’s worth talking through before the design goes far.
Deck framing uses pressure-treated lumber throughout — different grades for different parts of the structure. Posts and members close to the ground require higher treatment retention than joists and beams above grade. Using the wrong material in the wrong location is one of the most common causes of early deck deterioration.
Joists are typically framed at 12 or 16 inches on centre depending on the decking material and span. Composite decking often needs closer spacing than wood decking to prevent flex. The framing plan is built around the decking material choice.
Decking material comes down to a straightforward tradeoff. Pressure-treated wood costs less upfront, can be stained to preference, and requires regular maintenance to stay in good condition. Composite decking costs more initially but holds up better to moisture over time and requires less ongoing attention. Both are legitimate choices depending on budget and how much maintenance you want to do.
Furniture arrangement should drive deck size. Sketch out the table, chairs, and any other furniture you plan to use before finalizing dimensions. That sketch determines the square footage you actually need — and it’s a lot easier to adjust on paper than after construction.
Stair placement affects the whole yard. Stairs on the end versus the side versus off a landing create different traffic patterns. Think about where the stairs need to land relative to the garage, the garden, or a path to the fire pit — then design the stairs to match.
Railing design is both structural and aesthetic. Code sets the minimum height and baluster spacing. Beyond that, you’re choosing between wood, aluminum, cable, or glass — each with a different feel and maintenance profile. Cable and glass keep the view open; wood and aluminum are more traditional.
Deck lighting is easy to add during construction and a real project after the fact. Post cap lights, LED step lights, and under-rail strips can all be roughed in during framing. Adding them to a finished deck means lifting boards and drilling through posts.
Deck construction is visible work — you’re looking at it from inside the house every day while we’re building. We keep the site organized and the work moving. If something changes, you hear about it the same day.
If the project involves an electrician for lighting or a concrete contractor for a stair landing, we coordinate that work. The electrical rough-in happens at the right stage so the finish work runs cleanly.
Deck projects in Ontario follow a consistent sequence: design, permit application, permit approval, construction, framing inspection, then decking and finish work. Permit timelines vary by municipality. Building that lead time into the schedule from the beginning is the easiest way to keep the project on track.
Material decisions early matter. Composite versus wood, railing style, whether there’s a covered element — these affect both the permit drawings and the construction cost. Getting those resolved before the application goes in avoids revisions that add time.
In most cases, yes. Ontario’s Building Code requires a permit for decks above a certain height and those attached to the house. The permit process involves submitted drawings and a framing inspection before the decking goes down. We help you understand what’s required for your area.
Framing and decking a typical residential deck takes one to two weeks once construction starts. The bigger variable is the permit timeline, which can add several weeks depending on the municipality. Building that lead time into your planning is the best way to hit your intended completion window.
Both work well — it’s upfront cost versus long-term maintenance. Pressure-treated wood is less expensive initially but needs periodic staining or sealing. Composite costs more upfront but requires minimal maintenance and holds up well to moisture over time. If you’re building a deck you expect to keep for twenty years with minimal upkeep, composite is worth the premium.
If you’re planning deck construction, the next step is a conversation about the property — the grade, the house connection, how you plan to use the outdoor space, and your timeline. We’ll ask what we need to know and give you a realistic picture of the project.
Get in touch by phone or email. We work with homeowners across the Kawarthas, Peterborough, Durham Region, and Simcoe County.
Our unique skills and experience ensure top quality results.
N.S. Custom Contracting Inc. — Your satisfaction is our priority
