What does a composite deck cost per square foot in Ottawa including labour?

Composite Deck Costs Per Square Foot in Ottawa

A fully installed composite deck in Ottawa costs between $45 and $85 per square foot including materials and labour, with most projects falling in the $55 to $70 range for a quality mid-tier product. This is a significant step up from pressure-treated wood decking at $30 to $50 per square foot, but composite's longevity and low maintenance make it increasingly popular with Ottawa homeowners tired of annual staining and board replacement.

Composite decking materials alone run $8 to $18 per square foot depending on the product tier. Entry-level composites like Fiberon Good Life or Trex Select start around $8 to $10 per square foot. Mid-range capped composites such as Trex Transcend, TimberTech Azek, or Fiberon Symmetry run $11 to $14 per square foot. Premium lines like Azek Vintage or Trex Transcend Lineage reach $15 to $18 per square foot. These prices are for the deck boards only — you still need a pressure-treated wood substructure, which adds $4 to $8 per square foot in lumber.

The substructure is where Ottawa's climate demands extra investment. The Ontario Building Code requires deck footings to extend below the frost line, which in Ottawa means sonotubes or helical piles driven 48 to 60 inches deep. Each footing costs $150 to $300 installed, and a typical 300 square foot deck needs 8 to 12 footings. This frost-depth requirement adds roughly $5 to $10 per square foot compared to regions with shallower frost lines. If your deck is attached to the house, the ledger board connection must be properly flashed and lagged to prevent moisture intrusion — a detail Ottawa building inspectors check carefully.

Labour for composite deck installation in Ottawa runs $18 to $30 per square foot, reflecting the city's moderate construction labour market. Hidden fastener systems used with most composite products take longer to install than face-screwing pressure-treated boards, which adds to labour time. A two-person crew typically completes 30 to 50 square feet per day including substructure work.

Additional costs that affect your total budget include railings ($40 to $120 per linear foot for composite or aluminum), stairs ($150 to $400 per step), permits ($200 to $500 from the City of Ottawa for decks over 24 inches above grade or attached to the house), and skirting to close off the underside ($8 to $15 per linear foot). A deck over 24 inches high or larger than 108 square feet generally requires a building permit — call Ottawa 3-1-1 to confirm requirements for your specific project.

Ottawa Patios can connect you with deck builders experienced in composite installation who understand Ottawa's building code requirements and climate challenges.

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Looking for experienced contractors? The Ottawa Construction Network connects Ottawa homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Justyn Rook Contracting
• JC Carpentry
• M.O.T. CONSTRUCTION INC.
• ZinoM Concrete & Landscaping
• ALTIOR CONSTRUCTION

View all contractors →