AntoineAsphalt.caPressure-Treated Wood
Lifespan 15–20 yrs
Maintenance Regular staining/sealing
Cost band $$ · $45–$65/sq ft
Look: Classic wood, stains to suit
Heat & comfort: Stays comfortable underfoot; needs regular sealing
Decks · Hamilton · Halton
Deck Building in Hamilton, Burlington & Oakville
Decks designed as part of the whole yard — with the patio, steps, retaining walls, planting and lighting planned together, and footings set below frost.
Est. 2020Footings below frostPermit drawings handledDeck + landscape design under one roof
Quick answer
Antoine Landscape Contractors designs and builds pressure-treated, cedar, composite and PVC decks across Hamilton, Ancaster, Burlington and Oakville. Typical Ontario installed ranges (2026) run about $45–$110 per sq ft depending on material, and every deck we build sits on footings below frost depth. Start with a free on-site design consult for an exact quote.
One yard, one plan
Why a landscape company for your deck?
Most deck builders stop at the last stair. We design where that stair lands: the interlock patio below, the steps and retaining walls that handle the grade, the planting that softens the skirting and the lighting that makes it usable after dark. One design, one crew, one schedule — so the deck and the yard feel like they were always meant to be together.
Materials & layouts
Nine ways to build your deck
01
Pressure-Treated Decks
The practical, budget-friendly classic.
Explore02
Cedar Decks
Natural grain and warmth.
Explore
03
Composite Decks
Today's low-maintenance default.
Explore04
PVC Decks
Premium finish, lowest upkeep.
Explore05
Multi-Level & Raised Decks
Zones, views and sloped yards.
Explore
06
Covered Decks & Pergolas
Shade and outdoor-living rooms.
Explore07
Ground-Level & Floating Decks
Low platforms that meet the lawn.
Explore08
Deck Railings
Black aluminum, glass and more.
Explore09
Deck Repair & Resurfacing
New boards on sound framing.
ExploreVisual language
Design your deck’s look
Try board colours, borders, layouts and railings. The render is illustrative — we bring real samples to your design consult.
Walnut brown, picture-frame border, straight layout, black aluminum picket railing. Rich and warm; a popular 2026 natural tone. Straight boards are the cleanest and most efficient layout. Black aluminum picket is the most requested railing.
Side-by-side
Compare deck materials
Composite
Lifespan 25–30+ yrs
Maintenance Occasional washing
Cost band $$$ · $65–$95/sq ft
Look: Uniform boards, wood-look colours
Heat & comfort: Darker colours get warmer in full sun
Lifespans are approximate, with proper installation and maintenance. Prices are typical Ontario installed ranges (2026); your exact price comes from an on-site quote.
| Material | Look | Lifespan (approx.) | Maintenance | Typical range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated Wood | Classic wood, stains to suit | 15–20 yrs | Regular staining/sealing | $45–$65 / sq ft |
| Cedar | Warm natural grain | 15–25 yrs | Regular staining/sealing | $55–$80 / sq ft |
| Composite | Uniform boards, wood-look colours | 25–30+ yrs | Low — occasional washing | $65–$95 / sq ft |
| PVC | Crisp, premium finish | 30+ yrs | Low — occasional washing | $80–$110 / sq ft |
Transparent planning
Estimate a market range
A planning range based on typical ontario installed ranges (2026) for decking, stairs, railings and multi-level layouts. Your exact price comes from an on-site quote.
Estimated range for ~192 sq ft$17,180 – $27,240
- Deck surface: $12,480–$18,240
- Stairs: $1,500–$3,000
- Railing: $3,200–$6,000
Raised decks need guards above 600 mm, taller posts and bracing, which push the per-sq-ft rate up. Confirmed on site.
Per-sq-ft rates usually drop as decks get larger; height, stairs, railings and complex shapes push them up.
Typical Ontario installed ranges (2026), not a quote. Your exact price comes from a free on-site visit.
Below the surface
How we build decks that last
- 01
Design consult & measure
A free on-site visit to understand how you'll use the space, measure and discuss materials.
- 02
Survey, setbacks & lot coverage
We check the survey, zoning setbacks and lot coverage before design is final.
- 03
Permit drawings & application
Where a permit is required, we prepare drawings and handle the application.
- 04
Ontario One Call locates
Free utility locates are requested before any digging.
- 05
Footings below frost
Concrete piers or helical piles bear below frost depth — about 1.2 m / 4 ft here.
- 06
Framing, ledger & joist tape
Pressure-treated framing, a flashed and fastened ledger or freestanding beam, and joist protection tape on composite/PVC builds.
- 07
Decking, borders & stairs
Hidden fasteners and correct gapping, picture-frame borders and code-compliant stairs.
- 08
Railings, lighting & skirting
Guards, pre-planned lighting sleeves and skirting finish the structure.
- 09
Inspection, cleanup & walkthrough
Inspections where required, full cleanup and a final walkthrough together.
Frost line (~1.2 m)
Footings must bear below frost depth — about 1.2 m / 4 ft in this region — so freeze–thaw can't heave the deck.
Permits, made clear
Do you need a deck permit?
- Up to 600 mm above grade: Guard not required by height alone.
- 600 mm – 1.8 m above grade: Guard at least 900 mm.
- More than 1.8 m above grade: Guard at least 1,070 mm.
Guard openings must not allow a 100 mm sphere to pass. Source: Ontario Building Code. Confirm current requirements with your municipality before building.
Hamilton
Permit needed for any attached deck; detached decks over 10 m² and more than 200 mm above grade; detached covered decks over 10 m²; small decks by a door more than 600 mm up; and new or replacement guards. Source: City of Hamilton. Building Division 905-546-2720. Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek, Waterdown and Flamborough follow Hamilton.
Burlington
Follows Ontario Building Code permit triggers. A permit is commonly needed for attached decks and for decks more than 600 mm above grade or over 10 m². Confirm with City of Burlington Building before building.
Oakville
Permit needed for any deck attached to a house, and for decks over 10 m² and higher than 61 cm above grade. All decks must meet the zoning by-law. Source: Town of Oakville. Call Ontario One Call (1-800-400-2255) before digging.
Confirm current requirements with your municipality before building. Permit-exempt never means code-exempt — zoning setbacks and lot coverage still apply. Where a permit is needed, we prepare the drawings and handle the application.
Designed together
Decks + landscaping
Interlock patios & steps
Land the stairs on a patio sized for dining or a fire table.
Plan together →Retaining walls
Handle slopes around raised and multi-level decks.
Plan together →Fences & privacy
Coordinate privacy screens and fence lines with the deck.
Plan together →Planting & lighting
Soften skirting with planting; plan lighting sleeves early.
Plan together →Straight answers
Deck building FAQ
Do I need a permit to build a deck?
Often, yes. In Hamilton any deck attached to a building needs a permit, as do larger or higher detached decks and new or replacement guards. In Oakville any attached deck, or a deck over 10 m² and higher than 61 cm, needs one. Burlington follows Ontario Building Code triggers. Confirm current requirements with your municipality before building.
How much does a deck cost per square foot?
Typical Ontario installed ranges (2026) are about $45–$65 per sq ft for pressure-treated, $55–$80 for cedar, $65–$95 for composite and $80–$110 for PVC. Stairs, railings, height and multi-level layouts add cost. Your exact price comes from an on-site quote.
Is composite better than wood?
Composite typically lasts 25–30+ years with very little upkeep, while pressure-treated (15–20 years) and cedar (15–25 years) cost less up front but need regular staining or sealing. Wood feels more natural; composite stays more uniform.
What is the best deck material for Ontario winters?
Composite and PVC handle freeze–thaw, snow and moisture with the least maintenance. Well-maintained wood performs well too. In every case, footings below frost depth matter more than the board you choose.
How deep do deck footings go?
Footings must bear below frost depth — about 1.2 m (4 ft) in this region — so freeze–thaw doesn't heave the deck.
Helical piles or concrete piers?
Both can bear below frost. Helical piles are screwed in with little excavation and can be loaded right away; concrete piers are a proven standard. We recommend based on soil, access and design.
How high do deck railings need to be?
Under the Ontario Building Code, guards are required where the deck is more than 600 mm above grade. They must be at least 900 mm high where the deck is not more than 1.8 m above grade, otherwise at least 1,070 mm, with openings that won't pass a 100 mm sphere.
How long does a deck build take?
Typically 1–2 weeks of construction for most decks. Larger or multi-level decks take longer, and permits add time before work starts.
Can you build a deck on a slope?
Yes. Sloped yards often suit raised or multi-level decks, sometimes paired with retaining walls, steps and grading so the whole yard works.
Should I choose a deck or an interlock patio?
Decks suit raised doors, slopes and a warm board feel; interlock patios suit ground-level spaces and heavy use. Many yards use both — a deck off the house stepping down to a patio.
Local deck building
Hamilton, Ancaster, Burlington & Oakville
We build decks across Hamilton’s communities — including Ancaster, Dundas, Stoney Creek, Waterdown and Flamborough — plus Burlington and Oakville.
Hamilton
Hamilton MountainAncasterDundasStoney CreekWaterdownBinbrookFlamboroughWestdaleKirkendallGlanbrook
Burlington
AldershotBrant HillsTyandagaMillcroftApplebyLaSalle
Oakville
BronteGlen AbbeyRiver OaksPalermoOld OakvilleKerr Village
Start with the yard
Plan a deck that belongs in the landscape.
Tell us the approximate size, material, height and city. We’ll arrange a free on-site design consult and an exact quote.