This breakdown covers a composite deck built in a Stittsville backyard in 2026. The homeowners replaced a deteriorating 15-year-old pressure-treated wood deck with a new Trex Transcend composite deck. The new deck is 350 square feet (14x25) with a single level, composite railings, built-in LED lighting, and stairs to the backyard.
This breakdown covers a composite deck built in a Stittsville backyard in 2026. The homeowners replaced a deteriorating 15-year-old pressure-treated wood deck with a new Trex Transcend composite deck. The new deck is 350 square feet (14x25) with a single level, composite railings, built-in LED lighting, and stairs to the backyard. Total cost: $22,400. Timeline: 3 weeks from demolition of the old deck to final cleanup.
Old deck demolition and disposal: $1,800 — Removal of existing 300 sq ft wood deck, railing, and stairs. Hauled to landfill. Permit: $250 — City of Ottawa building permit for deck construction. Footings: $2,400 — 9 helical screw piles installed to below the 48-inch frost line. Chosen over concrete sono tubes for faster installation and no curing time. Frame and structure: $4,200 — Pressure-treated lumber for joists (2x10 at 12" centres), beam, ledger board, joist hangers, and all structural hardware. Includes flashing tape at the ledger. Decking material (Trex Transcend): $5,800 — 370 sq ft of composite decking in Spiced Rum colour, including waste factor. Hidden fastener system included. Railings: $3,200 — Trex Transcend composite railing system on three sides, including posts, top and bottom rails, balusters, and post caps. Stairs: $1,400 — 4-step staircase with composite treads and risers, including stair railing section. LED lighting: $1,200 — Recessed post cap lights (6), stair riser lights (4), and transformer with timer. Labour: Included in above line items — Total labour approximately $8,500 of the $22,400 total (38% of project cost). Miscellaneous: $2,150 — Concrete pad at stair base ($400), drip edge and fascia ($600), ground-level landscaping restoration ($500), and contingency/small items ($650).
The homeowners chose Trex Transcend composite over pressure-treated wood despite the higher upfront cost. The comparison: Pressure-treated wood deck: $12,000–$14,000 for comparable size, plus $300–$500/year for annual staining and sealing. Over 25 years: $19,500–$26,500 total cost. Trex Transcend composite deck: $22,400 upfront with virtually zero annual maintenance (occasional cleaning only). Over 25 years: $22,400 total cost. The composite deck is actually cheaper over its lifespan while eliminating the annual hassle of staining and sealing. Composite also won't splinter, crack, warp, or rot — important in Ottawa's freeze-thaw climate. The 25-year structural warranty and 25-year fade and stain warranty on Trex Transcend provided additional peace of mind.
Week 1: Old deck demolition (2 days), helical pile installation (1 day), and framing (2 days). The helical piles were a game-changer — installed in a single morning without concrete pouring or curing time. Week 2: Decking installation (3 days using hidden fasteners), railing installation (2 days). The hidden fastener system (Trex Hideaway) eliminates visible screw heads for a clean look. Week 3: Stairs (1 day), LED lighting installation and wiring (1 day), concrete pad at stair base (1 day), final inspections and cleanup (2 days). The 3-week timeline was typical for a project of this size. Weather caused one delay day (rain), but otherwise construction proceeded smoothly.
The homeowners had these observations after living with the deck: Add a pergola for shade. The south-facing deck gets very hot in direct summer sun, and composite decking retains more heat than wood. A pergola ($3,000–$8,000) or shade sail ($500–$1,500) would have been worth including in the original project. Choose a lighter colour. The Spiced Rum (medium brown) colour looks beautiful but absorbs more heat than lighter options. In Ottawa's July heat, barefoot walking can be uncomfortable. Lighter Trex colours like Gravel Path or Rope Swing stay cooler. Include an electrical outlet. Running power for a blender, speaker, or string lights requires an extension cord. A weather-rated outdoor outlet ($200–$400 during construction) would have been a smart addition. Overall, the homeowners are extremely satisfied with the composite deck and say the premium over wood was absolutely worth paying.
A 350 sq ft Trex composite deck with railings, stairs, and LED lighting costs approximately $22,000. Per square foot, composite decks run $50–$70 installed. Budget wood decks cost $30–$40 per square foot.
A 350 sq ft composite deck takes approximately 3 weeks from demolition of the old deck to completion. Simpler decks without demolition can be completed in 2 weeks.
Yes. Helical screw piles are increasingly popular for Ottawa decks. They're installed below the 48-inch frost line in one day, don't require concrete curing, and can be installed year-round — even in frozen ground.
Darker colours can get warm in direct sun during July and August. Choose lighter colours (grey, tan) for south-facing decks, and consider a pergola or shade structure. The surface temperature is comparable to dark-coloured pavers.
Yes, if the deck is over 24 inches above grade or over 108 square feet. Most backyard decks require a permit. The Stittsville/Ottawa permit costs $200–$500 and takes 2–4 weeks to process.