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Custom Deck Installation · Mississauga & The GTA

A well-built deck turns the back of your house into the room you use most from May to October. We design and build custom pressure-treated, cedar, and composite decks across Mississauga and the GTA: single and multi-level layouts, pool decks, glass and aluminum railings, and built-in seating, all framed on concrete footings dug below Ontario's frost line and permitted to the Ontario Building Code so the deck stays level, solid, and safe for decades.

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15+Years in the GTA
200+Decks & Outdoor Builds
5-yrWorkmanship Warranty
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The Case for a Custom Deck

Your Backyard Needs a Floor
Worth Living On.

Most GTA homes have the same gap between the kitchen and the yard: a walkout door that sits two, four, sometimes eight feet above the grass, with nothing under it but a rickety set of stairs or a concrete pad that never gets used. All that potential living space, and no floor to live on. A custom deck closes that gap and puts a real outdoor room right where you step out of the house.

Done properly, a deck is the hardest-working structure in the yard. It carries your dining table, your barbecue, your morning coffee, and thirty people on a long weekend. It steps down to the patio, wraps a pool, holds built-in benches and planters, and makes a sloped or elevated lot feel intentional instead of awkward.

The catch is that everything that decides whether a deck lasts is invisible once it is finished. The footings under it, the ledger connection to the house, the framing, the flashing, the permit and inspections. Boards are the easy part. We build the part you cannot see as carefully as the part you can, which is why our decks stay level and solid through Ontario winters instead of heaving, sagging, and pulling away from the house.

No Usable Space Off the House

A walkout door perched above the yard with nowhere to stand is wasted living space. A deck built at door height gives you a level outdoor room exactly where you naturally step outside.

An Old Deck Past Its Safe Life

Springy boards, wobbly railings, rusted hardware, and rot at the posts are structural warnings, not cosmetic ones. We remove failing decks and rebuild them properly, footings first.

Footings & Framing Done Wrong

Decks on shallow footings heave every winter as Ontario's frost pushes them up and drops them again. Footings poured below the roughly 4-foot frost depth are what keep a deck level for good.

Why a Custom Deck

What a Properly Built Deck
Actually Gives You

More than boards on joists. Here is what GTA homeowners gain from a deck that is designed and engineered rather than just assembled.

An Outdoor Room Off Your Kitchen

The deck sits at your walkout height, so stepping outside feels like walking into another room, not climbing down into the yard. Dining, barbecue, and lounge zones live right where you use them most, and the house and yard finally connect the way they should.

Built for Ontario Winters

Concrete footings below the roughly 4-foot frost line, a bolted and flashed ledger, galvanized hardware, and code-sized framing mean the deck does not heave, sag, or pull away from the house when the ground freezes and thaws. That is the difference between decades and a few seasons.

Materials Matched to Your Life

Pressure-treated for value, cedar for natural warmth, composite and PVC for near-zero maintenance. We walk you through the honest trade-offs, cost, upkeep, look, and lifespan, and build with the material that actually fits how much maintenance you want to own.

Multi-Level Layouts That Solve Grade

Sloped yards and high walkouts are where decks earn their keep. Multi-level designs step the deck down with the grade, upper dining tier, lower lounge, stairs to the lawn or patio, turning an awkward drop into the best feature of the yard.

Safe & Fully Code-Compliant

Permits where the Ontario Building Code requires them, guardrails at the correct heights, stairs built to code geometry, and framing that passes inspection. Your deck is safe for kids, guests, and resale, with the paperwork to prove it.

Designed With the Whole Yard

Because we build patios, walkways, and pools as well as decks, your deck is designed as part of the full backyard: stepping down to an interlocking patio, wrapping a pool, or framing an outdoor kitchen, so everything reads as one intentional space.

What We Do

Everything a Deck
Project Involves

A deck is a structure first and a surface second. Here is how we approach each phase of the build.

01, Design & Layout

Planning the Deck Around How You Live

Before anything is drawn, we work out how the deck will actually be used: where the table goes, where the barbecue vents, how traffic flows from the kitchen door to the yard, where the sun sits in the evening, and what the neighbours can see. From there we design the footprint, levels, stairs, and railing style, and plan how the deck ties into the patio, pool, and planting around it.

02, Permits & Code

Ontario Building Code, Handled

Under the Ontario Building Code, a deck needs a permit in most municipalities when it is attached to the house or its surface sits more than 24 inches above grade, and decks above that height need code-compliant guardrails. We confirm your municipality's rules, produce the drawings, submit the application, and schedule the inspections, so the deck is legal, insurable, and never a problem at resale.

03, Footings

Concrete Footings Below the Frost Line

Ontario frost reaches roughly 4 feet down, and any footing shallower than that will lift and drop the deck every winter. We excavate and pour concrete footings below frost depth on undisturbed soil, sized to the loads they carry. It is the least visible part of the project and the single biggest reason our decks stay level for decades.

04, Framing

The Structure That Carries Everything

Beams, joists, and posts are sized and spaced to code for the spans and loads involved, connected with galvanized structural hardware. Where the deck attaches to the house, the ledger is through-bolted and properly flashed so water never gets behind it, the failure point on most badly built decks. Framing is inspected before a single board covers it.

05, Decking

Pressure-Treated, Cedar & Composite Surfaces

The surface is where the design shows: pressure-treated boards for value, cedar for natural character, or composite and PVC boards for a deck you never stain. We lay decking with consistent gapping, hidden fasteners where the material allows, and picture-frame borders and inlays where the design calls for them.

06, Railings & Stairs

Glass, Aluminum & Wood Railings

Railings decide how the deck looks and how safe it feels. We install frameless and posted glass railings for open views, powder-coated aluminum for a clean low-maintenance line, and wood where you want the railing to match the deck, all at code-required heights. Stairs are built to code rise-and-run geometry with solid stringers and lighting where it helps.

07, Built-Ins & Pool Decks

Benches, Planters & Multi-Level Designs

Built-in benches, planter boxes, privacy screens, and storage turn a flat platform into a finished room, and multi-level designs step the deck down with the grade toward the pool or patio. We build wood and composite decks around pools as well; if your pool surround is better served by stone, our pool deck installation service covers interlocking paver and natural stone pool surrounds.

Decking Materials

Choosing Your
Decking Material

The right decking depends on your budget, how much maintenance you are willing to own, and the look you want. Here is an honest comparison of the main options.

Best Value

Pressure-Treated Wood

Pressure-treated lumber is the workhorse of GTA decks: strong, widely available, and the most affordable way to build a large deck. Modern treated wood resists rot and insects well, and stained or left to weather grey it suits almost any home. The trade-off is maintenance, it needs cleaning and re-staining every couple of years to look its best, and boards can check and move as they dry. For big decks on a real budget, it is still the smart choice.

Installed Cost$45–$70 / sq ft
Lifespan15–25 years
MaintenanceStain/seal every 1–2 yrs
Best ForLarge decks, tight budgets
Natural Warmth

Cedar

Western red cedar is naturally rot- and insect-resistant, stays cooler underfoot than composite in full sun, and has a warmth and scent no synthetic board matches. It takes stain beautifully or silvers to a soft grey if left alone. It is softer than treated lumber, so it marks more easily, and holding its rich colour means oiling or staining on a regular schedule. Cedar suits homeowners who genuinely love real wood and will maintain it.

Installed Cost$60–$90 / sq ft
Lifespan20–25 years
MaintenanceOil/stain to keep colour
Best ForNatural-wood lovers
Low Maintenance

Composite

Capped composite boards, a wood-fibre core wrapped in a durable polymer shell, are what most of our GTA clients now choose. They never need staining or sealing, will not rot or splinter, keep their colour for decades, and carry manufacturer warranties of 25 to 50 years. The honest downsides: a higher upfront price, and dark colours get hot in full summer sun. Over a 10 to 15 year view, the maintenance you skip closes most of the price gap with wood.

Installed Cost$80–$130 / sq ft
Lifespan25–50 years
MaintenanceWash only, no staining
Best ForSet-and-forget decks
Premium Synthetic

PVC Boards

Fully synthetic PVC decking contains no wood fibre at all, which makes it the lightest, most moisture-proof board available, the top choice immediately around pools and hot tubs where water sits on the surface daily. It is completely stain- and rot-proof, cooler-running formulations are available in lighter colours, and warranties are among the longest in the industry. It sits at the top of the price range, so we typically spec it where its moisture performance genuinely matters.

Installed Cost$95–$130 / sq ft
Lifespan30–50 years
MaintenanceWash only
Best ForPool & hot tub decks
How It Works

From Design to
Finished Deck

Our process is clear, engineered, and free of surprises. Here is exactly what working with us looks like.

01

Free On-Site Consultation

We visit your property and look at the space the deck has to work with: the height of your walkout, the grade of the yard, sun and privacy, and how you actually want to use the deck. We talk through pressure-treated, cedar, and composite options, single versus multi-level layouts, and railings, and give you a realistic sense of scope and budget before you commit to anything.

02

Design & Permits

We develop the deck design: footprint, levels, stairs, railing style, built-in benches or planters, and how the deck ties into the patio and the rest of the yard. Where the deck is attached to the house or sits more than 24 inches above grade, we prepare the drawings and handle the Ontario Building Code permit application with your municipality. Our quote is itemized: framing spec, footing detail, decking, railings, and finish.

03

Footings & Framing

Concrete footings are excavated and poured below Ontario's roughly 4-foot frost line, on undisturbed soil, so the deck never heaves with freeze-thaw. The ledger is bolted and flashed properly against the house, and beams and joists are sized and spaced to code with galvanized structural hardware. Framing inspections happen at this stage, before anything gets covered.

04

Decking & Railings

The deck surface goes down: pressure-treated, cedar, or composite boards, with hidden fasteners and picture-frame borders where the design calls for them. Stairs are built to code geometry, and railings are installed: glass for open views, aluminum for low maintenance, or wood to match the deck. Every board line and railing post is checked as we go.

05

Finishing & Handoff

Built-in benches, planters, privacy screens, fascia, and lighting are completed, the final inspection is closed out, and the site is fully cleaned and restored. We walk the finished deck with you and issue your 5-year workmanship warranty in writing. If anything loosens or settles within that window, we come back and make it right.

Our Work

Recent Deck Projects Across
The GTA

Three different houses, three different deck solutions. Here is how we approached each.

Mississauga, ON

Two-Level Composite Deck & Glass Railings

A Mississauga home with a walkout six feet above a sloped yard and no usable outdoor space off the kitchen. We built a two-level composite deck: an upper dining tier at door height with frameless glass railings to keep the view open, stepping down to a lounge level with built-in benches. Footings were poured below frost depth and the permit and inspections were handled start to finish. The family gained two outdoor rooms where there had been a drop.

Capped composite · Two levels · Glass railings · Built-in benches
Oakville, ON

Cedar Pool Deck & Shade Structure

An Oakville backyard where the pool sat disconnected from the house, reached across a strip of worn grass. We wrapped the pool with a cedar deck that runs back to the covered seating area, with planter boxes softening the edges and stairs placed where people actually walk. The cedar stays comfortable underfoot in full sun, and the whole yard now works as one continuous space from the back door to the water.

Western red cedar · Pool surround · Planter boxes · Integrated stairs
Etobicoke, ON

Deck & Interlocking Patio Combination

An Etobicoke property replacing a rotting 20-year-old deck. We rebuilt a pressure-treated deck at walkout height for dining and the barbecue, then stepped it down to a new interlocking stone patio at grade for the fire table and lounge seating. Because the deck and patio were designed together, the levels, drainage, and materials all line up, and the backyard finally works as one space instead of two leftovers.

Pressure-treated · Aluminum railings · Steps to patio · Deck + patio design
Why Reliable Hardscapes

We Build Decks That
Stay Solid.

Plenty of crews can screw down deck boards. Far fewer pour footings below frost depth, flash the ledger properly, and pull the permit. Those differences are invisible on day one and obvious in year five. We build for year five.

15+ Years Building Outdoor Spaces

From compact city decks in Etobicoke to multi-level pool decks in Oakville, we have built across the full range of GTA lots. That experience shows in the details: board layout, stair placement, and structure that passes inspection the first time.

Footings & Framing Done Right

Every deck we build stands on concrete footings poured below Ontario's frost line, with code-sized framing and galvanized hardware. Not as an upgrade, as standard. It is the least visible part of the job and the most important.

Permits Handled Properly

If your deck is attached to the house or more than 24 inches above grade, it needs a permit in most GTA municipalities. We prepare the drawings, file the application, and manage inspections, rather than building unpermitted and leaving the risk with you.

5-Year Written Warranty

Every deck is covered by a written 5-year workmanship warranty. Loose railings, settling, or structural movement within that window are on us. Straightforward, with no conditions designed to dodge the commitment.

Honest Material Guidance

We sell pressure-treated, cedar, and composite decks, so we have no reason to push you toward any of them. You get the real numbers on cost, maintenance, and lifespan, and the recommendation that fits your budget and patience, not our margin.

Decks Designed With the Whole Yard

Because we also build interlocking patios, walkways, pools, and outdoor kitchens, your deck is planned as part of the complete backyard, levels, drainage, and materials coordinated, instead of a platform bolted onto whatever comes later.

What Homeowners Should Know

The Honest Guide to
Deck Building in Ontario

Everything you should understand before getting quotes, so you can ask the right questions and make a confident decision.

What Does a New Deck Cost in the GTA?

Realistic installed prices in the GTA: pressure-treated decks run about 45 to 70 dollars per square foot, cedar about 60 to 90, and composite or PVC about 80 to 130. A typical 300 square foot pressure-treated deck lands around 15,000 to 20,000 dollars; the same footprint in composite with glass railings can reach 30,000 to 40,000. Railings, stairs, multiple levels, and built-ins move the number more than the boards do. Be wary of quotes far below these ranges, the savings usually come out of the footings, the framing, or the permit.

When Do You Need a Permit?

In most GTA municipalities, a building permit is required when the deck is attached to the house or its walking surface is more than 24 inches (60 cm) above grade, and any deck above that height needs code-compliant guardrails. Low freestanding platforms usually do not need one. An unpermitted deck can become a real problem at resale or with insurance after a claim. We confirm the rules with your municipality and handle drawings, application, and inspections as part of the job.

Why Frost Footings Are Non-Negotiable

Frost in southern Ontario reaches roughly 4 feet into the ground. A footing that stops short of that depth sits in soil that freezes, expands, and lifts the deck a little every winter, then drops it in spring. A few cycles later the deck is out of level, the stairs do not land right, and the ledger is straining at the house. Concrete footings poured below frost depth on undisturbed soil are the fix, and they are only cheap to do once, at the start.

Wood vs Composite: The Real Maintenance Math

Pressure-treated wood is roughly half the upfront cost of composite, but it needs washing and re-staining every one to two years, call it a few hundred dollars in materials plus a weekend, or more if you hire it out. Composite needs a wash and nothing else. Over 10 to 15 years the total spend gets close, which is why the honest question is not which is cheaper but whether you would rather pay upfront or pay in maintenance. Cedar sits in between: moderate cost, but regular oiling if you want to keep its colour.

How Long Does a Deck Take to Build?

Most residential decks take one to two weeks of on-site work, depending on size, levels, railing type, and built-ins. Multi-level and pool deck projects can run two to three weeks. If a permit is required, allow two to six weeks of lead time for drawings and municipal approval before the crew arrives. Weather matters less than people expect, footings and framing proceed in most conditions, and we confirm the schedule in writing before the contract is signed.

Common Mistakes That Cost Homeowners

The expensive ones repeat: footings above the frost line, a ledger screwed to the house without flashing or through-bolts, skipping the permit on an attached deck, undersized joists that make the floor bounce, and the wrong fasteners bleeding rust down the boards. Almost all of them are invisible at handover and expensive at year three. Ask any contractor to put their footing depth, ledger detail, and framing spec in writing before you sign.

Decks and Patios Work Best Together

The best GTA backyards rarely choose between a deck and a patio, they use both. The deck sits at walkout height for dining and the barbecue, then steps down to an interlocking stone patio at grade for lounging and fire features. The deck solves the height problem; the patio provides durable space for everything else. Designing them together, levels, drainage, and materials coordinated, costs little more than doing either alone and completely changes how the yard lives.

Reviews

What GTA Homeowners Say About Us

Rated 5.0 across Google and HomeStars by homeowners in Mississauga and across the GTA.

★★★★★

“We contracted Reliable Hardscapes for some interlocking, steps and driveway paving. We were very satisfied with their communication, attention to detail and quality of workmanship. We would contact them again if any similar services were needed. Thank you for a job well done!”

Pamela DunbarVerified · Google Review
★★★★★

“The outdoor space renovation Reliable Hardscapes did had me completely amazed! The team exceeded my expectations with their gorgeous patio, and they were polite, dependable, and productive. Friends and family have already showered me with praise.”

William YinglingVerified · Google Review
★★★★★

“I had the privilege of having Reliable Hardscapes do my driveway. Every one of the boys was absolutely amazing to work with! I highly recommend them to anyone needing this service. Thank you greatly for all the hard work.”

Michel KarkarVerified · Google Review
★★★★★

“I’m so impressed with the landscaping and stonework completed by Reliable Hardscapes. They installed a beautiful stone patio and added beautiful landscaping around it. Their attention to detail really brought our outdoor space to life. Highly recommended!”

Roy BoydVerified · Google Review
★★★★★

“Dave and his guys removed a well-worn deck and an uneven path and replaced it with something amazing. His guys’ work ethic is simply amazing. We are well and truly satisfied.”

Mike PiperVerified · Google Review
★★★★★

“After reaching out to several companies, we chose Reliable Hardscapes for their quick response and professional approach, and we’re so glad we did. They handled our front walkway, porch, and steps, and gave us helpful design suggestions.”

K MVerified · Google Review
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Common Questions

What GTA Homeowners
Ask Us About Decks

How much does a new deck cost per square foot in the GTA?

In the GTA, pressure-treated decks typically run 45 to 70 dollars per square foot installed, cedar 60 to 90 dollars, and composite or PVC 80 to 130 dollars. Railings, stairs, multiple levels, and built-ins are the biggest cost drivers beyond the boards themselves. A typical 300 square foot pressure-treated deck lands around 15,000 to 20,000 dollars, while a composite deck of the same size with glass railings can reach 30,000 to 40,000 dollars.

Do I need a permit to build a deck in Ontario?

In most GTA municipalities, a building permit is required when the deck is attached to the house or when its surface sits more than 24 inches (60 cm) above grade. Decks above that height also need code-compliant guardrails. Low, freestanding platform decks usually do not need a permit. We confirm the rules with your municipality, prepare the drawings, and handle the permit and inspections as part of the project.

Is composite decking worth it compared to wood?

It depends on how you weigh upfront cost against maintenance. Composite costs roughly twice what pressure-treated wood does, but it never needs staining or sealing, just an occasional wash, and most boards carry 25 to 50 year warranties. Wood is cheaper on day one but needs cleaning and re-staining every couple of years to stay looking good. Over 10 to 15 years the total costs get surprisingly close, which is why many GTA homeowners who plan to stay in their home choose composite.

How long does deck installation take?

Most residential decks take 1 to 2 weeks of on-site work, depending on size, levels, railings, and built-ins. Larger multi-level or pool deck projects can run 2 to 3 weeks. If a permit is required, allow an additional 2 to 6 weeks of lead time for drawings and municipal approval before construction starts. We give you a confirmed schedule in writing before the contract is signed.

Can you combine a deck with a patio?

Yes, and it is one of the best-performing backyard layouts we build. The deck sits at your walkout door height, giving you a level dining and barbecue area off the kitchen, then steps down to an interlocking stone patio at grade for lounging and fire features. Because we build both decks and hardscaping in-house, the levels, materials, and drainage are designed together instead of bolted on separately.

Where We Work

Deck Installation Across the GTA

We design and build custom decks across Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Brampton, Toronto, Vaughan, Markham, Etobicoke, Milton, Caledon, and the wider Greater Toronto Area. Whether you need a compact city deck, a multi-level build over a sloped yard, or a pool deck that ties the whole backyard together, we bring the same frost-depth footings, code-compliant framing, and 5-year written warranty to every project.

Let's Get Started

Ready for a deck you'll actually live on?

Tell us about your backyard and how you want to use it. We'll measure the space, walk you through materials, and give you a clear, honest quote.

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★★★★★

Rated 5.0 by homeowners across the GTA

Real reviews from Google, HomeStars & more

★★★★★

“Very satisfied with their communication, attention to detail and quality of workmanship. A job well done.”

Pamela D.

Verified · Google

★★★★★

“The team exceeded my expectations with a gorgeous patio. Polite, dependable, and productive.”

William Y.

Verified · Google

★★★★★

“Every one of the boys was absolutely amazing to work with. I highly recommend them.”

Michel K.

Verified · Google

Read All Our Reviews