Ottawa and Gatineau Deck Construction

That depends.

Decks that are built higher than 30 inches off the ground should have a railing. Otherwise, a railing is optional. However, there are other reasons you may want to include a railing in your build, such as:

Aesthetic reasons:

• Adds another layer of dimension and style to your deck

Functional reasons:

• Keeps people from stepping off the edge of your deck into landscaping.

Practical reasons:

• Makes guests feel more comfortable when closer to the edge of the deck and prevents young children from falling off.

It is always best to simply call your town building code office. Local municipalities have different requirements for deck construction and building permits. Please reach out to our expert team, and we'll be happy to help you with the permitting process should you need one.

We have installed many residential decks across Ottawa and Gatineau so we are happy to answer your questions and can guide you through the process.

When you have us build your new deck, we'll work with you throughout the whole design process to add all of the features you'd expect in order to give you the perfect outdoor space! Deck steps and railings are often chosen by our customers in the Ottawa and Gatineau area for both safety and aesthetics.

If you have an above-ground pool, a deck that surrounds it will truly upgrade the whole area and provide the perfect space to lay out some lounge chairs and enjoy the sun!

When you want a new deck with no excuses, hassles, or problems, contact Ottawa Gatineau Fencing. We're the go-to guys for comfortable backyard living spaces!

Pressure-treated wood decks in Ottawa and Gatineau last on average around 10-15 years depending on how well they are maintained. All decks are built with pressure-treated wood and will eventually need to be repaired or replaced, so it is important to take every step in protecting your deck with a high-quality stain.

Depending on the height of your deck, the protection of a guardrail is often a good idea.

Here are the typical requirements for guardrails and handrails for the Ottawa and Gatineau area:

Guardrails:

• If the walking surface of the deck is 30-inches off the ground, your deck must be surrounded by guardrails which are a minimum of 36-inches in height. The steps for the deck must also have a handrail on one side if there are 4 or more individual risers (spaces between steps).

Stairs and Handrails:

• Handrails need to be provided on at least one side of stairs with four or more risers. Handrails must be a minimum of 34" to 38" maximum above stairs. Handrails shall be continuous the full length of the stairs from a point directly above the lowest riser of the flight. Landings at the top and bottom of stairs need to be the same width as the stairs x 36" in the direction of travel.