Adding a deck will allow you to really take advantage of summer, all while adding value to your property. Before jumping into your renovations, take time to discover the different types of ecological materials you can choose from. Along with aesthetics, you must consider the price, durability and energy you want to allocate to maintenance. It’s a good thing that we are here to help you!
Pro tip
By designing your deck, plan enough space for your furniture and for people to circulate. Also plan for the installation of an outdoor electrical outlet to avoid having to use an extension cord.
Choosing eco-treated wood
It’s the most popular choice and the least expensive. Treated wood in our eco-line is mould-resistant and insect-resistant when it is used outdoors. If you take good care of it, this treated wood can last up to 40 years.
Maintenance
- Wood treated under pressure is humidity-resistant, but not completely. Ideally, apply a waterproof treatment every year to better protect your deck and avoid discolouration.
- Wait at least six months before applying stain or paint.
- Wash it every year with detergent to avoid dirt, foam, algae and mould. To make sure the wood doesn’t get damaged, use a low jet if you opt for a pressure wash.
- Redo the wood finish every year.
WEIGHT: Medium
FIRMNESS: Medium
COLOUR: Greenish, but can be coloured or paint.
COST: $
Choosing cedar eco wood
Cedar wood is ideal for humid climate. Paint isn’t recommended, but it can be covered with a finish or left to its natural state. It is by far the most popular non-treated material.
Maintenance
- Apply a semi-transparent with an olive oil base after building your deck, once a year. It allows to increase its durability and reduce its chances of becoming grey under the exposure of UV rays.
- Before applying a dye, clean the deck with a scrubbing brush, soap and water.
- Redo the finish every three or four years.
WEIGHT: Light
FIRMNESS: SOFT
COLOUR: Red and natural
COST: $$
Choosing sequoia wood
Sequoia wood is known for its long-lasting durability. It resists moisture and has a great resistance to water.
Maintenance
- Don’t use paint. Why would you do that, considering that it has a great yellow-red natural colouration?
- To better protect it, apply a semi-transparent stain with an oil base, after its construction.
- Before applying stain, clean the deck with a scrubbing brush, soap and water.
- Redo the finish every three or four years.
WEIGHT: Heavy
FIRMNESS: Hard
COLOUR: Yellow and red
COST: $$$
Opting for the IPE wood
IPE is very prised. If it is well maintained, this exotic wood will last longer than any other material. It is mould-resistant, insect-resistant, and even fire-resistant without any treatment necessary. Overall, it is perfect for our climate and is offered in several different colours.
Maintenance
- Clean the surface with a soft brush, soap and water, once a year. Do not apply scellant, paint or dye.
- Sand it when necessary.
WEIGHT: Heavy
FIRMNESS: Hard
COLOUR: Its palette is rich: brown, hazel, olive green and red.
COST: $$$$
Choosing composite eco wood
The composite wood of our deck planks is made of 95% wood fibre and recycle plastic. Even with its natural wood look, composite wood does not split and does not cause splinters. It lasts 40 years, which makes it the best investment for a long-term deck.
Maintenance
- It requires less maintenance, because water doesn’t damage it.
- Clean it with the manufacturer’s cleaning products.
- Use a scrubbing brush once to three times a year.
- The finish cannot be redone.
WEIGHT: Heavy, difficult to move.
FIRMNESS: Medium
COLOUR: Many colours available depending on the manufacturer. You cannot paint or stain it.
COST: $$
Choosing treated wood squares
Opting for a European-inspired look can bring a lot of charm to your home. These treated wood squares are installed on the surface of the deck structure. This material is very easy to install.
Maintenance
- Wood that is treated under pressure is humidity-resistant, but not completely. Ideally, apply a water-resistant treatment every year to better protect your deck and avoid its discolouration.
- Wait at least six months before applying stain or paint.
- Wash it every year with detergent to eliminate dirt, foam, algae and mould.
WEIGHT: Medium
FIRMNESS: Medium
COLOUR: Brown; you can colour it or paint it.
COST: $$
Go green
Wood is an abundant resource that regenerates itself continuously when it is responsibly managed. By opting for ECO wood to build your deck, you are relying on a material that meets the criteria of sustainable development.
The natural woods such as cedar that we offer in our stores come from suppliers who follow the regulations of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) of the United States or Canada.
In 2020, 78% of the lumber sold in our stores comes from certified forests.
Our composite materials are made of wood fibres and recycled plastic. They also represent a sustainable alternative for the construction of your projects.
Look out for our ECO logo to make sure you buy responsibly and think of the environment.
Pro tip
- Do not connect your deck directly to the house
If the deck moves, the structure of your house could be damaged too. Instead, we recommend linking your deck with sonotubes near the ledge.
- Your wooden planks need space
If they are very dry, they could swell up after being exposed to rain and humidity, which causes accumulation of debris and is an obstacle to proper drainage. Distance your planks as soon as you place them by leaving a space around the size of the head of a screw between each plank.
- Don’t tighten the screws too much
If your screws press in too much, they risk causing an infiltration of water in your wooden planks, which will end up causing a lot of damage.
- A deck is always on a slope. A 2% slope allows for water to drain away from the house foundation.
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