Decks

Planning a deck in Canada? Start where most deck budgets go wrong — the foundation. Price your footings or piles, learn what frost and soil allow, and check what your municipality will require before a board goes down.

A deck is two projects in one: the foundation that frost and soil dictate, and the structure that loads and code dictate. Get the foundation right first — it's the part you can't fix later and the part that decides whether your deck stays level through a Canadian winter. The tool and guides below resolve that decision, then point you to permits and framing.

Tools

Calculator

Deck Cost Calculator

DIY materials for the whole build — surface, framing, railings, and stairs by size and material.

Calculator

Deck Foundation Cost Calculator

Footings or piles by deck size and frost depth — blocks, Sonotube, and screw piles compared, with editable prices.

Guides

Guide

How Much Does a Deck Cost in Canada?

2026 numbers — DIY materials vs contractor-built, by size, and what drives the price.

Guide

Decking Materials Compared

PT, cedar, composite, or PVC — cost, lifespan, and real maintenance, decided by how long you'll keep the deck.

Guide

Deck Foundations & Frost

Footings, screw piles, or floating blocks — what frost and soil allow, and where each is best.

Guide

Deck Permits, Ledgers & Railing Code

When a deck needs a permit, ledger vs free-standing, and the guard, gap, and stair numbers inspectors check.

Guide

Permits & Property Lines

When a deck needs a permit, plus the setbacks and zoning that apply regardless.

Where to start: run the Deck Foundation Cost Calculator for your size and frost region, then read Deck Foundations & Frost to match the method to your soil and Deck Permits, Ledgers & Railing Code to pass inspection. Still choosing a surface? Compare decking materials.