Foundations
A proper foundation is a critical component of your deck, and we offer two solutions based on your needs. A floating deck (which is not fastened to your house) can be built upon concrete deck blocks or footing pads, sometimes referred to as cottage pads, to keep costs down. The grass is removed and a layer of limestone screening is tamped down to provide a stable, level surface which the blocks or pads sit on. If a deck is fastened to your house, it requires a more stable footing to prevent movement as required by the Ontario Building Code. In this case we choose to use helical piles or screw piles supplied by Technometalpost™ as opposed to traditional poured concrete for many reasons…
- No excavation or concrete required, resulting in a low footprint on the job site
- Can be installed in a wide range of soil and load applications
- Installation monitoring and verification of load capacity during installation
- Installation in high groundwater conditions
- Engineering reports for permit applications
- Connection brackets that are appropriate and tailored to the structure to be supported
- A specifically designed heavy-duty polyethylene sleeve encases the steel post and prevents it from being affected by ground movement
View the Technometalpost™ brochure
Framing
Wood
Pressure treated wood framing is the most popular choice due to it’s cost efficiency and design flexibility. There are various methods to build a wood frame, with varying degrees of quality and strength. The framing is the skeleton of your deck, so it must be done correctly to ensure it’s longevity. That’s why we use all required fasteners and brackets in accordance with the Ontario Building Code for EVERY deck, not only the ones that require inspections as part of the building permit process. End cuts of all lumber is treated with a wood preservative on site to ensure it’s resistance to moisture, rot and decay. We also create a continuous load path, which is a method of construction that creates a series of solid connections within the structure of the deck that transfers load through its frame to the ground and adjacent support structure.
Decking
Wood
Pressure treated wood is the most economical, and is a typical decking option chosen by customers. Pressure treated wood has gone through a process that uses high pressure to force a solution of water and preservative agents deep into the lumber to help extend its useful lifespan. The active ingredient commonly used in treated wood is alkaline copper quaternary (ACQ). This compound reacts with the wood fibers to slow natural decay and have properties to resist termites, fungus, moisture and other elements that promote rot and cause structural degradation. With annual use of a water repellant sealer, you can expect your pressure treated decking to last 15 years or more. Just as we do with our pressure treated framing, all end cuts of the decking (whether exposed or not) are treated with a wood preservative to resist water, fungus and insects.
Cedar decking features handsome straight grains and natural resistance to rot and insects. Boards are easy to cut and can be left untreated to weather naturally. Life span is easily more than 20 years. Cedar is somewhat more expensive, but doesn’t warp, split or crack like you would find in pressure treated decking. Western red cedar, used the most, is pitch and resin free, making it better for accepting and holding many different stains, bleaches, colours, and translucent finishes.
Whether you choose pressure treated or cedar, our installation process remains the same. Coated deck screws are used to fasten the decking to the frame, while a chalk line or string is used to keep screws in a straight line down the joist. Screws are set so that the head of the screw is flush to the top of the deck board, as opposed to sinking the head into the board which creates a pocket where water can sit and rot out the board more quickly. End cuts of the decking can be covered by a picture frame deck edge or as part of the deck skirting, giving your deck a professional finish.
Vinyl
Gorilla Decking™ is a product that sheds water to make covered storage or outdoor living spaces possible under a raised deck. Gorilla decking makes a beautiful addition to any home, offering an attractive, low maintenance deck that would make any homeowner proud, but the beauty of this decking isn’t just what’s on top.
- Interlocking planks help shed water and keep surface below dry
- Low-maintenance surface that will never need painting
- 6″ x 1-1/4″ planks for a wood-like appearance
- Concealed fasteners for clean, safe surface
- Interlocking design for added strength and easy installation
- Insect resistant, moisture resistant and will not rot, crack or split
- Extruded from highest quality PVC resins with ACCU-Shield – 16′, 20′, 24′ lengths for any size project
- CCMC Approved
- Available in your choice of 6 colours
View the Gorilla Decking™ brochure
View the Gorilla Decking™ warranty
Aluminum
Aluminum decking is a premium decking material that lasts indefinitely and is supplied to us by PS Aluminum™. The product is coated to make the deck slip resistant and quiet. There’s no metallic “ping” with our high-quality coated aluminum decking. The aluminum planks feature a built-in water control system. The decks are installed with a non-noticeable slope away from the house, so most of the water runs off the deck and into a gutter. What seeps through the seams falls into a continual channel that carries it away from the house. This design makes the deck waterproof, meaning the area below the deck doesn’t get wet. It can be used for dry storage or, if the deck is elevated, sheltered outdoor space. Your upfront cost for aluminum is high, but since the deck rarely needs to be washed and never requires staining or sealing, your future costs are nearly zero for the life of the deck.
Advantages of aluminum decking are…
- Long-lasting material that won’t crack or warp
- Weight is half that of wood, and it is much stronger
- Only maintenance is washing if needed
- Very resistant to staining, mildew and algae
- Never an insect problem as with wood decks
- Skid resistant surface
- Fade resistant powder coating
- Class A rating, so won’t burn, and melts at 1,200 degrees F
- Stays cooler in direct sun than PVC, composite and wood
- Longer plank lengths reduce seams and speed installation
- Lifetime warranty on most aluminum decking
View the PS Aluminum™ brochure
Composite
Composite decking offers the beauty of wood without the drawbacks of potential corroding, splintering or termite damage. This low maintenance decking option holds up to the temperature extremes of Canadian weather with minimal thermal expansion and contraction, to maximize the stability of each deck board.
Composite decking is made mainly of either wood flour (a recycled post-industrial material) PVC, or wood fibres, polyethylene or hardwood and polypropylene blend. Composite decking is smooth to the touch, barefoot friendly and provides excellent traction.
Capped composite decking features an extra layer that has been bonded to the board during manufacturing. Capped composite boards also have an additional warranty that covers both stain and fade resistance. It is also more resistant to scratches than wood and regular composite. Non wood composite is made with special technology that creates a fiber like inner structure. It is up to 35% lighter than a wood composite, with virtually no water absorption or thermal expansion and contraction. Premium resin decking is composed of 100% low-maintenance engineered polymer material, which does not contain any wood fibres or organic material. Resin decking is 100% recyclable and resistant to termites.
When we install composite decking onto a wood substructure we recommend using a protective joist tape that prolongs the life of the deck frame. A deck substructure starts to split and rot at around 8 to 10 years. The composite boards supported by that substructure are usually warranted to last about 25 years. If you want your deck to be safely supported by its substructure for the life of the deck, you can protect your investment for a minimal extra cost. Peel and stick joist tape allows the wood to breathe because it is applied as a cap directly on top of joists and beams. The tape protects screw holes from moisture by acting as a barrier, and any water that drains between boards is met with the protective tape.
Key benefits of composite decking include…
- High durability
- Hidden fasteners through the use of propietary clips and plugs
- No staining or painting required—saves time and money!
- No risk of rotting, twisting, splintering, cracking, or warping
- Vast selection of colours
- Low maintenance: easy to clean & install
- Mould, rot, and fungal decay resistant
- Weather resistant
- Warp resistant
- Slip resistant
- Long life
Mjolnir Construction is proud to offer TimberTech™ decking as our product of choice. We are listed as a gold tier partner in their contractor program and you can find our profile on their contractor locator page.
Explore the many differences between the three unique decking lines from Azek, Pro and Edge to find the right option that suits your outdoor living needs.
Unique in the industry, TimberTech™ AZEK decking boasts the most advanced synthetic material technology without the use of wood particles and features the “Designer Series” Vintage Collection®.
TimberTech™ PRO decking delivers a premium nature-inspired aesthetic and 4-sided capped composite decking for unrivaled performance and unmatched style.
TimberTech™ EDGE decking offers classic 3-sided capped composite decking in monochromatic or color-blended options for an upgrade from wood that is both attractive and attainable.