Why Composite & PVC Decking
Built for Ottawa’s Climate. Designed to Last.
Ottawa winters are hard on traditional wood decks. Between freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow loads, spring moisture, and intense summer UV exposure, wood decking takes a beating year after year. Cedar can look beautiful when it’s first installed, but without regular cleaning, staining, and maintenance, it naturally begins to grey, crack, check, and weather over time. Many homeowners underestimate the long-term upkeep required to keep a wood deck looking its best in Ottawa’s climate. Composite and PVC decking offer a completely different ownership experience.
Modern decking systems from TimberTech composite and AZEK Advanced PVC are specifically engineered to handle harsh Canadian weather while maintaining their appearance for decades. They resist moisture damage, rot, splintering, fading, and freeze-thaw deterioration, requiring little more than an occasional wash to keep them looking clean and new.
While the upfront investment is higher than pressure-treated wood, the long-term value is often significantly better. Once you factor in the ongoing cost of staining, repairs, sanding, and eventual board replacement, composite and PVC decking can become the more economical option over the lifespan of the deck.
For homeowners who want to spend more time enjoying their backyard and less time maintaining it, composite and PVC are the clear long-term solution.
As a certified TimberTech/AZEK PRO contractor, we install both TimberTech composite and AZEK Advanced PVC systems and can offer manufacturer-backed warranty coverage on both product lines. TimberTech composite collections, including Legacy, Reserve, and Terrain, are backed by 25- to 30-year limited product warranties and matching 25- to 30-year fade and stain warranties, depending on the collection selected.
AZEK Advanced PVC decking carries TimberTech’s highest level of coverage, including a Limited Lifetime Product Warranty and an industry-leading 50-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty on collections such as Vintage, Landmark, and Harvest.
In addition to the manufacturer warranties, we stand behind our workmanship and installation standards to ensure your deck is built to perform for decades in Ottawa’s climate.
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TimberTech/Azek Certified
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Fixed-Price Quotes
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No Subcontracting
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Permit-Ready
Products We Install
Composite & PVC Brands We Stand Behind.
We carry and install TimberTech, Azek, and select PVC decking systems. Each is chosen because it performs reliably through Ottawa's climate, carries a serious manufacturer's warranty, and looks excellent ten years after installation. We do not install products we would not put on our own properties.
TimberTech Composite Decking
TimberTech Certified
- TimberTech decking is backed by a 25–30 Year Limited Product Warranty and a 25–30 Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty, depending on the collection.
- Wide colour and texture range
- Made from 95% recycled materials
- A consistent board profile eliminates gaps.
- Annual wash is the only maintenance required.
Azek PVC Decking
Premium PVC
- 100% PVC – completely waterproof
- TimberTech AZEK PVC decking is backed by a Limited Lifetime Product Warranty and a 50-Year Limited Fade & Stain Warranty.
- Splinter-free – ideal for families with children
- Excellent for pool and waterfront applications
- No sealing, staining, or painting ever required
PVC Decking Systems
PVC Systems
- Up to 50-year product warranties available
- Zero moisture absorption
- Resists insects, mould, and mildew completely
- Available in a wide range of colours and profiles
- Highest lifespan of any decking category
Recent Composite & PVC Projects
Ottawa Builds. Our Work.
Material Comparison
Composite vs PVC vs Cedar Honest Comparison.
No single material is right for every Ottawa property. Here is a straightforward breakdown. You can make an informed choice before we meet. We are happy to talk through the specifics for your lot, budget, and usage during a free consultation.
Decking Material Comparison
| Criteria | Composite (TimberTech) | PVC | Cedar | Pressure-Treated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Freeze-Thaw Performance | Excellent Best | Excellent Best | Good with maintenance | Good with maintenance |
| Maintenance Required | Annual wash only Best | Annual wash only Best | Re-stain every 2 to 3 years | Re-stain annually |
| Typical Lifespan | 25 to 30 years | 30 to 50 years Best | 15 to 20 years | 10 to 15 years |
| Moisture Resistance | Very high | Complete — 100% waterproof Best | Good — natural preservatives | Moderate — chemical treatment |
| Natural Appearance | Very realistic grain Strong | Realistic (premium lines) | Authentic Best | Basic wood look |
| Up-Front Cost | Moderate to high | High | Moderate | Lowest Lowest |
| 15-Year Total Cost | Competitive Strong | Lowest over time Best | Moderate (maintenance adds up) | Moderate to high (ongoing maintenance) |
| Product Warranty | 30 years (TimberTech) | 30 to 50 years | No manufacturer warranty | Termite and fungal decay only |
| Pool & High-Moisture Use | Very good | Ideal Best | Acceptable | Not recommended |
| Colour & Finish Range | Wide range Best | Good range | Limited to stain options | Limited — paint or stain only |
Credentials & Guarantees
Why Ottawa Homeowners Trust This Team.
We carry full commercial liability insurance and WSIB on every active job site. We are fully licensed in Ontario, and file City of Ottawa permits on your behalf before construction starts. Every project comes with a fixed-price written contract. The number we quote is the number you pay.
TimberTech Certified
Fully Licensed & Insured
No Subcontracting
Fixed-Price Contract
What Our Clients Say
Our Six-Step Process
Clear Steps. No Guesswork.
Step 1
Book a Call & Chat
- No commitment required
- Honest scope and budget guidance
- Direct conversation, not a sales pitch
Step 2
Site Visit
- On-site measurements and assessment
- Permit and setback review for your address
- Material recommendation for your specific site
Step 3
Design
We produce scaled drawings with your chosen material, TimberTech, Azek, or PVC system, fully specified. Permit-ready documentation is prepared at this stage so we can file immediately once you sign.
- Scaled drawings with full material specification
- Composite and PVC finish options presented
- Permit-ready documentation prepared
Step 4
Sign
- Fixed-price written contract
- Full scope defined in writing
- Permit filed and build date locked
Step 5
Build
- Direct employees only, no subcontracting
- Daily site clean and progress updates
- All City of Ottawa inspections included
Step 6
Enjoy
- Full walkthrough with Noel or Casey
- Written 2-year workmanship warranty
- Manufacturer warranties registered and provided
Composite Decking in Ottawa
Why composite wins in Ottawa's Climate.
Ottawa’s climate is hard on traditional wood decking. Long winters, heavy snow, freeze-thaw cycles, spring moisture, and intense summer UV exposure all cause wood to expand, contract, crack, warp, and eventually rot over time — especially anywhere moisture sits or penetrates exposed end grain. Composite decking is engineered to handle those conditions with far less movement and maintenance. Its protective outer cap resists moisture absorption, helping prevent the cracking, splitting, and surface deterioration commonly seen in wood decks exposed to Ottawa’s weather year after year. The colour is built into the board itself, rather than applied as a surface coating, which helps resist fading from prolonged UV exposure.
TimberTech performs particularly well in Ottawa because of its consistent board density and engineered composition. Unlike natural wood, there are no knots, weak grain patterns, or soft sections that can absorb moisture unevenly. The result is a cleaner, more uniform appearance that holds up over time with significantly less maintenance.
As a certified TimberTech installer, we build to TimberTech’s installation standards and provide manufacturer-backed warranty coverage on eligible systems. If there is ever a workmanship issue within our warranty period, we stand behind our work and make it right.
PVC Decking in Ottawa
Where PVC is the Right Specification.
PVC decking is the correct material choice for specific Ottawa applications where moisture exposure is continuous rather than seasonal. Pool decks where splash and standing water are constant. Rooftop decks on low-slope structures where drainage is limited. Waterfront properties along the Ottawa River or Rideau River where humidity and water exposure year-round.
The reason is simple: PVC has no wood content, which means it has no mechanism for absorbing moisture. Composite boards, even high-quality capped composites, have a wood-flour core that can absorb small amounts of moisture over time at cut ends and fastener points. PVC boards have no core moisture absorption at all. They are inert to water in a way that no wood-content product can match.
Azek’s cellular PVC is our preferred specification for Ottawa pool and waterfront applications. The board profile is dense and consistent, the colour is deeply saturated and UV-stable, and the 30-year warranty covers both fade and stain. For families with young children, PVC’s completely splinter-free surface is a meaningful safety advantage over any wood product.
Ottawa Service Areas
We Build Across All of Ottawa.
Based in Nepean, we serve all Ottawa communities for composite and PVC deck builds. From heritage inner-city lots that require space-efficient elevated designs, to suburban properties in Ottawa's west and east ends, where larger footprints open up the design options.
Central
- Centretown
- The Glebe
- Old Ottawa South
- Rockcliffe Park
West Ottawa
- Kanata
- Stittsville
- Westboro
- Hintonburg
East & South Ottawa
- Barrhaven
- Manotick
- Riverside South
Common Questions
Composite & PVC Deck FAQ for Ottawa Homeowners
Have a question about your specific property?
What is the difference between composite and PVC decking?
Composite decking combines wood flour, a recycled post-industrial material, with PVC and polyethene. It looks and feels closer to natural wood than full PVC and is the most popular low-maintenance decking choice for Ottawa residential decks.
PVC decking contains no wood content at all. It is 100 per cent plastic, making it completely waterproof and the most moisture-resistant option available. PVC is the right specification for pool decks, waterfront properties, and any application where water is a constant rather than seasonal factor. Warranties on PVC products range from 30 to 50 years.
Do composite and PVC decks need maintenance in Ottawa?
Compared to cedar or pressure-treated wood, maintenance is minimal. A once-yearly wash with a mild soap and a regular garden hose, or a low-pressure rinse, keeps composite and PVC boards looking clean and prevents mould from forming on the surface in shaded areas. You do not stain, seal, sand, or paint composite or PVC decking. Ever.
One practical Ottawa-specific note: avoid using calcium chloride ice melt on your composite deck in winter. Calcium chloride can discolour the surface over time. Use sand, kitty litter, or a magnesium chloride-based product instead. A plastic shovel rather than a metal blade for snow removal protects the surface from scratching.
Is composite decking safe for a pool deck in Ottawa?
Yes. Composite decking is a common pool surround choice and handles splash and occasional standing water well. For Ottawa pools that see heavy splashing and extended moisture exposure, we typically recommend PVC over composite for the immediate pool surround, within two metres of the pool edge, because PVC’s complete waterproofing provides additional margin. Composite is perfectly appropriate for the wider deck area around the pool.
Both composite and PVC decking provide better wet-surface traction than painted wood, which is an important safety consideration for pool environments.
Do I need a permit for a composite deck in Ottawa?
How much does a composite deck cost in Ottawa?
For a professionally installed composite deck using TimberTech or Azek in Ottawa, budget $180 to $280 per square foot installed, depending on the product tier, deck height, railing system, and site complexity. A standard 300 sq ft ground-level composite deck typically runs $54,000 to $84,000 fully installed, including permit, framing, decking, and a basic railing system.
PVC decking products run approximately 10 to 20 per cent higher than comparable composite tiers due to material cost. We provide fully itemised fixed price contracts with no surprises. Permit and design are included in our pricing, not added as separate line items after you sign.
Does composite decking get hot in Ottawa's summer sun?
Yes, composite and PVC decking boards in dark colours can reach 30 to 50 degrees Celsius on south- or west-facing decks in direct afternoon Ottawa sun. This is more pronounced than with light-coloured painted wood. If your deck faces south or west and is fully exposed to afternoon sun, lighter-coloured composite boards significantly reduce surface heat. TimberTech and Azek both offer very light greige and driftwood tones that perform well in high-sun exposures.
Providing shade through a pergola, shade sail, or retractable awning above a sun-exposed composite deck is both a comfort upgrade and a sound investment. Shaded decking surfaces run 10 to 15 degrees cooler.
Get Started
Request Your Fixed-Price Quote.
Fill in the form, and Noel or Casey will contact you within 2 business days. We start with a short phone call , no site visit, no pressure, no commitment, just a direct conversation about your project and what it realistically costs.
We are TimberTech certified, fully insured, and we do not subcontract. The same people you speak with are the ones who build your deck.
- Response within one business day
- Speak directly with Noel or Casey.
- Fixed-price written quote, no hidden costs
- TimberTech certified
- Fully licensed, insured, and WSIB covered.