There are five basic components of a typical deck:

1. Vertical posts set in concrete footings.
2. Horizontal beams to carry the weight of the deck.
3. Joists that run between the beams to distribute the weight of the deck.
4. The actual deck materials or floor, laid over the joists.
5. 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.

The post Ottawa Winter Deck Preparation: Picking Your Materials appeared first on The Fence and Deck Store.

• Shape – Your Ottawa deck doesn’t have to be boring, but of course with creativity in shape will come extra craftsmanship and work. You’ll probably find some modifications worth it as even something as simple as an angle can jazz up a house with a long, plain wall. And if you decide to wrap your deck around a corner, adding built-in benches, or integrate a fence or screen on one side – all will add to your enjoyment of the deck and your home’s future resale value.

• Height–Usually, the decking should come to within a little more than a half meter (.6 meter) of the bottom of the access door from the house, with steps leading from the deck to the ground. Often Ottawa homeowners with a sloped yard will build a deck in multiple levels that follows the slope.

• Reinforcements – If you plan on having a spa or hot tub on your deck you will need to reinforce the deck to support the weight of the water, or you can cut a whole (we like this idea less) and set directly on a concrete slab underneath your deck. If you use cutouts for trees, make sure you leave space for growth.

• Railings – Think about it – when you look into someone’s backyard at someone’s deck, what’s the thing you notice most?  The railings. Use your imagination and creativity when picking your railings – but make sure they match the motif of your home.  Your railing design may be be limited by building code regulations so be sure to look into those.

• Steps and Stairs–Steps and stairs should typically be at least a meter wide so two people to be able to pass each other comfortably. The vertical distance between shouldn’t exceed 19 centimeters.

The post Ottawa Winter Deck Preparation: Planning appeared first on The Fence and Deck Store.

• A deck is a one of the most significant things you can to do add value to your home, so while you are designing a deck for you and your family’s lifestyle – take a step back and make sure what you are designing is not a deck that is too big, too small… or just flat out ugly. Make sure the deck design complements the design of your house.

• The most important consideration when designing your Ottawa deck is “How will you use it?”  Entertaining?  How large will the groups on your deck typically be? What kind of seating will you need and would you want to consider benches as part of your deck? Do you want the space arranged to accommodate socializing by small groups or large gatherings?  Try to picture all the ways you’d like to use your Ottawa deck because most design elements will be based on this.

• Your options are probably limited as to where you can build your deck off your Ottawa home, but you may have more choices than you think. You could add a door off an alternative site in your home that may work better than the “obvious” choice. Why does this matter?  Views and climate – they actually vary in your own Ottawa yard.  Do you have heavy winds coming in from the west? Did you know a north-side deck will probably be the coolest location.  Careful placement can minimize traffic noise, eliminate unwanted views, or provide additional privacy.

• Remember there are always the dreaded regulations… check to make sure you are not violating any local zoning ordinances. This is the most dreaded task, but don’t put it off as it could inform many of your decisions for your Ottawa deck  Also look into your neighborhood or subdivision covenants as the may restrict the appearance of the structure.  An finally, you may need a building permit – check with your town.

• There are a lot of considerations for how big your deck will be, including the cost as well as your planned uses.  But as you build your Ottawa deck remember that a huge deck can look ridiculous next to a small house the same way a tiny deck on a big house looks out of place. If you think your deck could be too large for your house, try mitigating that with smaller sections on multiple levels.

• test your ideas for your Ottawa deck by measuring and staking off the proposed area in your yard. You can even set furniture in the area to get an idea of how much will fit on your new do-it-yourself Ottawa deck.

The post Ottawa Winter Deck Preparation: Designing appeared first on The Fence and Deck Store.

We think you’re going to like the first answer… don’t shovel your deck.  

Often there is a bit of paranoia that the mounds of Ottawa snow will collapse a deck.  But building codes require that decks be sturdier than even your roof and support more snow than you would think.

Water and snow aren’t necessarily good for your deck – but shoveling your wood or synthetic deck will actually create more harm by scratching the wood or trying to protect plastic that is impervious to snow.

What you should do is clear a path in the snow to provide an exit path from your house.  Building codes require two exits to your house for a reason – keep you and your family safe with a path out your back door. Ans while you are clearing an exit path, make sure you clear a path to your grill.

When clearing a path, use a broom to make sure you don’t scratch or damage your deck. if the show is too deep for a broom, use a plastic shovel to clear your path(s). A metal blade will scratch or gouge your deck.  Even with a plastic shovel, be especially careful if your deck flooring is cedar or redwood as these soft woods are more vulnerable to damage.

With your plastic shovel, shovel with the boards, not across them and never… ever chop ice on your deck, even with a plastic shovel.  You’ll be sure to also chop your deck.  Instead, if you need to, use some rock salt, halite, or calcium chloride.

The post Your Deck and Ottawa Snow appeared first on The Fence and Deck Store.