Ottawa Winter Deck Preparation: Picking Your Materials
Two weeks ago we reviewed some considerations for designing your deck. while last week we talked about planning your deck. This week cover some considerations for choosing your deck materials.
There are five basic components of a typical deck:
- Vertical posts set in concrete footings.
- Horizontal beams to carry the weight of the deck.
- Joists that run between the beams to distribute the weight of the deck.
- The actual deck materials or floor, laid over the joists.
- Railings
You need to choose materials for your Ottawa deck that will be resistant to decay and insect damage as well as be able to handle harsh Ottawa winters… not to mention the summer sun. So what to choose? Standard construction lumber like fir, pine or spruce may be treated to protect it from rot, but it most likely will not hold up over time in Ottawa winters and summers.
For durability, we recommend using pressure-treated pine, redwood, or cedar. Each of these can be stained to nearly any color you want. Redwood and cedar offer an added advantage in that they are soft, fine-grained woods that will resist splintering.
Leave a Reply
