A deck or patio is Canada's most popular outdoor home improvement — and with our short summers, a well-designed outdoor space adds real value to your home and lifestyle. In 2026, a standard 300 sqft pressure-treated wood deck costs $12,000–$20,000 installed. Composite decking runs $25,000–$40,000 for the same size, but lasts 25–30 years with minimal maintenance.
| Category | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure-Treated Wood Deck | $15–$25/sqft installed | Most affordable. Requires annual sealing/staining. |
| Composite Decking | $30–$60/sqft installed | 25–30 year life. No painting/staining required. |
| Cedar Decking | $20–$40/sqft installed | Beautiful, but requires maintenance. Popular in BC. |
| Concrete Patio | $8–$20/sqft installed | Durable and low maintenance. Stamped concrete costs more. |
| Interlocking Stone Patio | $15–$35/sqft installed | Premium look. Easy to repair individual stones. |
| Railings (deck) | $80–$200/linear foot | Glass railings are premium. Aluminum is mid-range. |
| Steps | $150–$600 per step | Depends on width and material. |
| Permits & Engineering | $300–$2,000 | Required for decks over 24" from grade in most cities. |
Check building permit requirements, fees, and timelines for your specific city across 800+ Canadian municipalities.
View Permit Requirements →Simple rectangular decks cost less per sqft than L-shaped or multi-level designs with multiple staircases.
Elevated decks require engineering drawings and permits. Ground-level patios have simpler requirements.
Composite is 2–3× the upfront cost of pressure-treated but requires almost no maintenance and lasts much longer.
Glass or cable railings can add $5,000–$15,000 vs. wood or aluminum railings on the same deck.
Attached decks require proper ledger board flashing and connection to the house structure — a common failure point.
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Find Contractors →Yes, in most Canadian municipalities. Permits are typically required for attached decks and any deck more than 24" (60cm) above grade. Even some ground-level decks require permits. Fines for unpermitted decks can be significant.
Pressure-treated wood decks last 15–25 years with proper maintenance. Composite decking lasts 25–30+ years with virtually no maintenance. Cedar lasts 20–25 years with regular sealing.
As a rule of thumb: allow 12–15 sqft per person for comfortable seating. A family of 4 wanting a dining set and loungers needs at least 300 sqft. Larger is almost always better — decks are rarely regretted for being too big.
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