It’s Cold in Ottawa… So Build A Deck
That ice and snow outside the door but have you thinking a lot more about indoor activities than outdoor construction. But there’s actually a lot of reasons to start thinking now about building (or installing) a deck. In fact, winter might be the best time.
The main advantage has everythting to do with materials. Many decks are going to be built with treated wood. Pressure treated wood is actually better to install during the winter months. Because these materials expand and contract so intensely, the winter provides a good proving ground for exactly how those materials will perform under temperature pressure. The wood will expand when warm, and contract when cold. The varying temperatures of winter will settle the wood you use for your deck.
Humidity also plays a part. Pressure treated wood has a 50% moisture content when you initially build. The winter has less humidity and thus the pressure treated wood will stabilize itself and dry more consistently and evenly when you build in the winter. A summer deck construction exposes the pressure treated wood to higher humidity conditions. In addition, when drying in the hot sun, pressure treated wood will undergo expansion and contraction which can cause cracking, warping and other damage to the wood itself.
The second benefit is wait time. Our typical waiting list is 8 weeks in the height of the season, during the winter you are likely going to cut that wait time in half. A winter project also causes less lifestyle interruption because homeowners typically spend less time outdoors and less time participating in outdoor activities during the colder months of the year. Properties will experience less ground disruption, and families in Ottawa can plan for warmer weather – outside.
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