Decking is one of the biggest renovation calls a homeowner makes, and the wrong material picks itself off within five winters. Ontario weather is brutal on a deck: freeze-thaw cycles, road salt off the boots, summer UV, ice melt, and the occasional snowblower scrape. This guide compares pressure-treated, cedar and composite head-to-head using 2026 quote data we see across Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and Niagara, so you can match material to budget and stop second-guessing the spec.
Quick verdict
Pressure-treated is the cheapest path to a usable deck and the right call when budget is the dominant constraint or the deck is a future replacement candidate. Cedar gives you the warmest natural look at a moderate premium but demands real maintenance to hold up past year 10. Composite (capped polymer) is the highest upfront cost and the lowest 25 year cost of ownership, and it is the only material we install without wincing for clients who say “I never want to refinish a deck again”. Pick on lifecycle, not sticker price.
Head-to-head comparison table
| Factor | Pressure-treated | Cedar | Composite (capped) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per sq ft (2026 ON, installed) | $25 to $45 | $40 to $65 | $55 to $95 |
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 yrs | 15 to 25 yrs | 25 to 40 yrs |
| Maintenance | Clean and stain yearly | Clean and stain every 2 to 3 yrs | Soap and water |
| Look options | Green tint, paintable | Warm wood, natural or stained | Woodgrain in 12+ colours |
| Best for | Budget builds, rentals | Natural wood lovers | Low-maintenance forever decks |
Pressure-treated decking
Pressure-treated (PT) spruce or pine soaked in ACQ or MCA preservative is the default Ontario deck board. Fresh stock carries a green tint that fades to grey within a season, and it takes solid stain or paint well once it dries out (usually 3 to 6 months after install).
Pros
Cheapest path to a real deck, by a wide margin. Easy to source, easy to cut, easy to replace a board. Structural framing under any deck is PT regardless of what you choose for the surface, so going PT-on-PT keeps the project simple.
Cons
Splinters and cups as it dries. Needs annual cleaning and re-staining or it greys hard and the surface fuzzes. Soft enough that dragging a planter or barbecue leaves marks. Chemicals can leach if you stain too early.
Real-world cost range
$25 to $45 per sq ft installed for a basic ground-level or single-storey deck on flat terrain. Add 20 to 30 percent for elevated decks needing taller posts, beams and railings, plus permit drawings.
Best fit
Tight-budget projects, rental properties, large square footage where composite would blow the budget, or any deck you expect to replace in 12 to 15 years anyway.
Cedar decking
Western red cedar is the warmest-looking deck board we install. It is naturally rot and insect resistant thanks to its tannins, and it stains beautifully in everything from clear to dark espresso. Northern white cedar is cheaper but softer and less common as decking.
Pros
Genuine wood look that no composite fully replicates. Stays cooler underfoot than dark composite in summer sun. Lower density means cedar floats slightly and dries fast after rain. Easy to source clear-grade or knotty depending on budget.
Cons
Soft. Dog nails, dropped tools and dragged chairs all leave marks. Needs cleaning and re-staining every 2 to 3 years to hold colour and resist greying. Knots can bleed sap. Cedar prices have climbed sharply since 2022 and now sit closer to entry-level composite than they used to.
Real-world cost range
$40 to $65 per sq ft installed using clear or select-knotty cedar boards on a PT frame. Premium clear vertical-grain pushes higher.
Best fit
Homeowners who genuinely love wood and will commit to the stain cycle. Pairs beautifully with cedar pergolas, natural stone and perennial gardens.
Composite decking
Modern capped composite (brands like Trex Transcend, TimberTech AZEK, Fiberon Concordia) is a wood-flour and polymer core wrapped in a hard polymer cap. The cap is what made composite finally good: it resists stains, fading, scratches and mildew in ways the uncapped first-generation boards never did.
Pros
25 to 40 year manufacturer warranties on premium lines. No staining, no sealing, no sanding, ever. Rinse with soap and water. Colour and grain hold against UV. Will not splinter or cup. Hidden fastener systems give a clean finish. Best material for salt-prone walkways and pool surrounds.
Cons
Highest upfront cost. Dark colours get hot underfoot in direct summer sun, choose mid or light tones for south-facing decks. Cannot be refinished if you tire of the colour. Lower grades still fade noticeably by year 10, stick to capped premium lines.
Real-world cost range
$55 to $95 per sq ft installed depending on board line, railings and substructure. Premium PVC-cap boards (TimberTech AZEK) sit at the top of that range, mid-tier capped composite (Trex Enhance) at the bottom.
Best fit
Forever decks. Pool surrounds. Rental and Airbnb properties where you cannot rely on tenants to stain. Anyone who values weekends over deck maintenance.
Which one is right for your yard?
Material follows budget, horizon and tolerance for maintenance. A few shortcuts we use when walking a client through the decision:
- Planning to sell within 7 years? Pressure-treated. The ROI difference between PT and composite is not paid back at resale in Ontario.
- Planning to stay 15+ years? Composite. The avoided stain cycles and board replacements pay back the upfront premium by year 10.
- Love the look of real wood and will actually stain it? Cedar. Just budget for the stain cycle (roughly $400 to $800 in product and 2 weekends every 2 to 3 years on a 300 sq ft deck).
- Pool deck or salt-prone walkway? Composite, full stop. Chlorine and road salt punish wood at the joints. Capped composite shrugs both off.
- South-facing direct sun all afternoon? Avoid dark composite. Choose light or mid-tone capped boards, or go cedar which stays cooler underfoot.
- Frost depth applies under every deck. Footings go to 4 ft minimum in Ontario or you ride frost heave for the life of the deck. Helical piles are a worthwhile upgrade on clay-heavy lots in Niagara and Hamilton mountain.
- HOA or neighbour visibility? Matters less for decks than fences. Pick on look and durability, not approval optics.
Common mistakes we see on quote reviews
- Composite installed on 24 inch joist spacing. Most capped composite needs 16 inch on-centre, 12 inch for diagonal patterns, or the boards flex underfoot.
- Footings only 30 to 36 inches deep. Ontario frost line is 4 ft. Shallow footings heave a deck visibly by year three.
- PT deck stained the day after install. Treated wood needs 3 to 6 months to dry out before it accepts stain properly.
- Cedar quoted without specifying clear vs knotty grade. The price difference is significant, and so is the look.
- No flashing tape on the ledger board. Water gets between deck and house, rots the rim joist, becomes a much bigger problem than the deck itself.
- No permit assumed. Any deck over 24 inches off grade in most Ontario municipalities needs a permit. Skipping it bites at resale.
Frequently asked questions
Is composite decking really maintenance-free?
Close to it. Capped composite needs a soap-and-water rinse twice a year and an occasional scrub for ground-in dirt. No staining, no sealing, no sanding. The first-generation uncapped boards from 15 years ago were a different story, modern capped product is genuinely low-effort.
How long does a pressure-treated deck last in Ontario?
10 to 15 years for the deck boards, 20+ for the PT frame underneath. The surface boards always go first because they take the UV, foot traffic and freeze-thaw. Replacing just the boards on an existing frame is a common mid-life refit.
Does cedar decking turn grey?
Yes, within one season if left untreated. Cedar weathers to silver-grey naturally and many homeowners like the look. If you want to hold the warm wood tone, plan on cleaning and re-staining every 2 to 3 years.
Why is composite so much more expensive?
Board cost alone is roughly 2 to 3 times PT. Hidden fastener systems add labour. Premium railings (often composite or aluminum) round out the spec. Over 25 years the total cost of ownership flips: composite ends up cheaper because you skip 8 to 10 stain cycles.
Will composite get too hot to walk on?
Dark colours (espresso, charcoal) on south-facing decks in full afternoon sun can hit uncomfortable temperatures. Mid and light tones stay reasonable. If your deck bakes all afternoon, choose lighter capped boards or cedar.
Do I need a permit for a new deck?
In most Ontario municipalities, yes, if the deck is more than 24 inches above grade or attached to the house. Some allow ground-level floating decks without one. Always confirm with your specific municipal building department before starting.
Can I install composite over my existing PT frame?
Sometimes. The frame has to be structurally sound, joists at the right spacing for composite (usually 16 inch on-centre), and the ledger flashing intact. We inspect every retrofit before quoting. About half the time the frame needs partial rebuild to support modern composite spec.
What about PVC decking like AZEK?
Premium cellular PVC sits at the top of the composite category. It is lighter than wood-flour composite, slightly cooler underfoot in dark colours, and carries the longest warranties (often 50 years). Expect $75 to $95 per sq ft installed. Worth it on forever decks and pool surrounds.
How does winter salt affect each material?
Pressure-treated and cedar both suffer at joints and end-grain when salt-laden snow piles up. Composite shrugs salt off entirely. If you walk salty boots from the driveway onto the deck regularly, that alone tilts the call toward composite for the long run.
What deck framing should sit under any surface I pick?
Pressure-treated 2×8 or 2×10 joists at 16 inch on-centre on a beam supported by footings or helical piles to 4 ft frost depth. Flashing tape over every joist top extends frame life by years. The frame is the same under PT, cedar or composite. Do not let anyone shortcut it.
Want a number for your specific deck? Drop your dimensions into our deck cost calculator, cross-check with the per-square-foot ranges in our Ontario deck cost guide, or request a free quote and the Peace Love Landscaping crew will walk your yard with you.