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Decks · Cedar · Hamilton
Cedar Deck Builders in Hamilton & Burlington
Western Red Cedar brings warm colour, natural rot and insect resistance, and a lighter, more stable board than pressure-treated lumber. Typical Ontario installed ranges (2026) are $55–$80 per sq ft, with an approximate 15–25 year lifespan when properly installed and maintained.
How a deck is built, from footings to railing
Shown: Ground-level deck — Step 1 of 5 — Footings
- Footings or helical piles reach below the frost line so the deck can't heave in winter.
- Posts carry the load up from the footings.
- Beams and joists frame the structure under the boards.
- Decking boards and a picture-frame border finish the walking surface.
- A black metal safety railing (guard) goes up last, where required.
Est. 2020Footings below frostPermit drawings handledDeck + landscape design
Quick answer
Western Red Cedar brings warm colour, natural rot and insect resistance, and a lighter, more stable board than pressure-treated lumber. Typical Ontario installed ranges (2026) are $55–$80 per sq ft, with an approximate 15–25 year lifespan when properly installed and maintained. Your exact price comes from an on-site quote.
Fit before finish
Is this deck right for you?
May not suit
- The lowest initial material cost
- Heavy furniture or active pets where a softer surface may dent
- Owners who want permanent warm colour without finish care
Profiles & details
Styles and options
Clear-lined field boards
Straight runs make the grain and warm colour the visual focus.
Cedar privacy screens
Matching slats shelter dining or hot-tub zones without mixing materials.
Integrated planters
Cedar edges can frame planting while keeping drainage carefully separated.
Oil-finished warmth
A compatible penetrating finish helps hold the fresh cedar character.
Balanced guidance
Honest pros & considerations
Advantages
- Natural resistance to rot and insects
- Lighter and generally more stable than pressure-treated boards
- Warm grain works with brick, stone and planting
- Can weather naturally to a calm silver-grey
Considerations
- Softer boards can dent under furniture or pet traffic
- Colour changes without ultraviolet protection
- Oil-based finishes need periodic renewal to retain warmth
- Structural framing is usually pressure-treated rather than cedar
Typical Ontario installed range (2026)$55–$80 / sq ft
Approximate lifespan15–25 years
MaintenancePeriodic cleaning and oil finish if retaining colour
Feel & heatWarm, light natural wood
Material decision
Compare the closest alternatives
Cedar
Lifespan 15–25 yrs
Maintenance Regular staining/sealing
Cost band $$$ · $55–$80/sq ft
Look: Warm natural grain
Heat & comfort: Natural wood feel; softer surface can mark
Composite
Lifespan 25–30+ yrs
Maintenance Occasional washing
Cost band $$$ · $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.
Planning range
Estimate your deck
Estimated range for ~192 sq ft$15,260 – $24,360
- Deck surface: $10,560–$15,360
- 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 cedar decks
Cedar performs best when water can leave every detail. We support the lighter boards on a pressure-treated structure, protect vulnerable interfaces and keep planter, screen and stair details from trapping moisture.
- 01
Review permits, setbacks, height and how privacy screens affect the layout
- 02
Build the structural frame primarily with pressure-treated lumber
- 03
Set footings below frost and detail a flashed ledger or freestanding support
- 04
Select knotty or clearer cedar for the desired visual consistency
- 05
Use compatible corrosion-resistant fasteners and controlled board gaps
- 06
Finish screen tops, planters and edges so they drain cleanly
What's inside a deck, from the ground up
Everything below the boards — footings, posts, beams and joists — is what keeps a deck safe and level for decades; click a layer to see why it matters.
- Native soil: Undisturbed native soil carries the load. Topsoil and fill are not used as bearing.
- 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.
- Pier or helical pile: Concrete piers are poured below frost; helical piles are screwed down to bearing depth with little excavation and can be loaded right away.
- Post + bracket: Posts sit in a bracket on the footing so they stay dry and positively connected.
- Beam: Beams gather joist loads and carry them to the posts.
- Joists + joist tape: Pressure-treated joists; on composite and PVC builds we add joist/beam protection tape to shed water from the tops.
- Ledger + flashing / freestanding: An attached deck needs a properly fastened and flashed ledger. A freestanding design uses its own beam instead of the house.
- Decking, fasteners, gapping: Hidden fasteners and correct gapping on composite/PVC let boards drain and move with temperature.
- Guard: 900 / 1,070 mm + 100 mm sphere: Guards are required above 600 mm. Minimum 900 mm high up to 1.8 m above grade, 1070 mm above that; openings must stop a 100 mm sphere.
- Stair stringers: Stairs must meet Ontario Building Code rise/run and handrail rules; we frame them to code with solid landings.
2. 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.
Ownership timeline
Care & maintenance
Choose colour or patina
Apply a compatible penetrating oil when the cedar is ready, or let it weather naturally toward silver-grey.
Clean gently
Remove organic debris and inspect shaded edges, planter interfaces and furniture contact points.
Refresh the finish
Clean and renew oil before the colour becomes uneven; sunny sections may weather faster.
Hamilton · Burlington · Oakville
Permits and guard requirements
Hamilton
Any attached deck needs a permit. New or replacement guards also require a permit. Building Division: 905-546-2720.
Burlington
Attached decks and decks more than 600 mm above grade or over 10 m² commonly need a permit. Confirm with City of Burlington Building.
Oakville
Any attached deck needs a permit; detached decks over 10 m² and higher than 61 cm above grade also need one.
Confirm current requirements with your municipality before building.
Review the complete deck permit guide →Planning guides
Deck guides for homeowners
Type-specific answers
Cedar FAQ
Is cedar or composite better for a deck?
Cedar offers authentic grain and a lower typical range, while composite avoids staining and is more uniform. The better choice depends on whether natural material or lower upkeep matters more.
Does a cedar deck need staining?
Not for basic weathering resistance, but unfinished cedar turns silver-grey. A compatible penetrating oil helps preserve its warm colour.
How does cedar compare with pressure-treated wood over time?
Cedar begins at a higher typical installed range and still benefits from finish care. It is chosen for natural resistance, lighter weight, stability and appearance rather than lowest cost.
What is the difference between knotty and clear cedar?
Knotty cedar has lively natural variation. Clearer grades provide a calmer, more consistent face and generally carry a higher material cost.
Should a cedar deck have cedar framing?
Usually not. Pressure-treated lumber is commonly used for the structural frame, with cedar used for the visible decking and details.
How can I keep cedar from turning grey?
Clean it gently and maintain a compatible ultraviolet-resistant penetrating finish. No exterior coating permanently stops colour change, so exposure and upkeep matter.
Local deck building
Hamilton, Ancaster, Burlington & Oakville
Hamilton
Hamilton MountainAncasterDundasStoney CreekWaterdownBinbrookFlamboroughWestdaleKirkendallGlanbrook
Burlington
AldershotBrant HillsTyandagaMillcroftApplebyLaSalle
Oakville
BronteGlen AbbeyRiver OaksPalermoOld OakvilleKerr Village
Start on site
Plan your cedar deck.
Share the approximate size, height, stairs, railings and city. We’ll arrange a free on-site design consult and exact quote.