Your decking material choice determines your deck's appearance, maintenance requirements, lifespan, and total cost of ownership. In Ottawa's punishing climate — freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow loads, intense summer sun, and high humidity — material performance matters more than in milder regions.
Your decking material choice determines your deck's appearance, maintenance requirements, lifespan, and total cost of ownership. In Ottawa's punishing climate — freeze-thaw cycles, heavy snow loads, intense summer sun, and high humidity — material performance matters more than in milder regions. Pressure-treated wood remains the most popular decking material in Ottawa by volume, but composite decking has grown dramatically as homeowners recognize its long-term value proposition.
Ottawa pricing: $2–$5/sq ft for materials. Total installed: $20–$35/sq ft including structure. Lifespan: 15–20 years with proper maintenance. Annual maintenance: staining/sealing ($300–$600 per application, needed every 1–2 years). Total 20-year cost for a 300 sq ft deck: $10,000–$16,000 plus $6,000–$12,000 in maintenance = $16,000–$28,000. Pros: Lowest upfront cost. Natural wood appearance and feel. Easy to work with (cut, drill, shape). Can be stained any colour. Cooler underfoot in direct sun than composite. Readily available at all Ottawa lumber suppliers. Cons: Requires annual maintenance (staining, sealing). Splinters as it ages. Can warp, crack, and rot in Ottawa's freeze-thaw cycles. Susceptible to mould and mildew. Green-tinted when new (weathers to grey if unstained). Shorter lifespan than composite.
Ottawa pricing: $8–$18/sq ft for materials. Total installed: $35–$65/sq ft including structure. Lifespan: 25–50 years. Annual maintenance: occasional cleaning (soap and water). Total 25-year cost for a 300 sq ft deck: $12,000–$22,000 plus minimal maintenance = $12,000–$23,000. Pros: No staining, sealing, or painting required. Won't splinter, crack, warp, or rot. Resistant to mould, mildew, and insects. Consistent appearance over decades. 25-year structural and fade/stain warranties. Available in realistic wood-grain patterns. Cons: Higher upfront cost. Gets hotter than wood in direct sun (especially dark colours). Can't be sanded or refinished. Heavier than wood. May have a slightly synthetic feel compared to real wood. Some early composite products (pre-2010) had performance issues — modern products are significantly improved.
Freeze-thaw resistance: Composite wins. Wood absorbs moisture that freezes and expands, causing cracking and splitting. Composite's capped surface prevents moisture absorption. Snow and ice: Both handle snow loads equally (the structure is pressure-treated wood in both cases). Composite is easier to shovel because its smooth surface releases snow and ice more easily. Never use salt on wood decking — it accelerates deterioration. Summer heat: Wood wins. Composite retains more heat in direct sun, making bare feet uncomfortable on south-facing decks during July and August. Choose lighter composite colours for sun-exposed decks. Humidity and moisture: Composite wins. Ottawa's humid summers promote mould and mildew on wood surfaces. Composite's capped surface resists growth. UV exposure: Composite wins. Modern composite has UV stabilizers that prevent fading. Wood turns grey and degrades under UV exposure without regular staining.
Choose pressure-treated wood if: budget is your primary concern, you enjoy the annual maintenance ritual of staining and maintaining your deck, you prefer the natural feel of real wood underfoot, or you're building a smaller deck where the cost difference is modest. Choose composite if: you want minimal maintenance for 25+ years, you're building a larger deck where maintenance costs add up quickly, you value long-term cost of ownership over upfront price, your deck is in a high-moisture area (near trees, north-facing, low to ground), or you plan to stay in your home long enough to benefit from the longer lifespan. For most Ottawa homeowners building a deck they plan to enjoy for 15+ years, composite decking is the better value proposition when you factor in the eliminated maintenance costs and longer lifespan.
Yes. Over 25 years, a composite deck costs approximately the same or less than wood when you include annual maintenance costs for wood ($300–$600/year for staining and sealing). And composite lasts 25–50 years vs wood's 15–20.
Dark-coloured composites can get warm in direct summer sun. Choose lighter colours for south-facing decks, and consider shade structures. The temperature is comparable to dark-coloured pavers or concrete.
No. Composite decking should not be painted or stained — the capped surface won't hold paint properly. Choose your colour carefully at purchase because it's permanent. Most composite comes in 15–20 colour options.
Top brands include Trex (Transcend and Enhance lines), TimberTech/Azek, and Fiberon. All offer 25-year warranties and perform well in Ottawa's climate. View samples in person to compare appearance and texture.
If the existing frame is in good condition (no rot, adequate sizing), you can replace wood decking boards with composite on the existing structure. This saves $5,000–$10,000 in framing costs.