Decks & outdoor living
Field Guide4 min
Building a Deck Around a Heat Pump? Leave More Than a Gap
A screen can tidy the view and still obstruct the equipment. Plan the outdoor unit, deck, stairs, and winter drainage together.
Read the postThe Workshop / 16 useful reads
Plan the space.
Plan an Ontario deck from the ground up: permits, supports, materials, stairs, and the details that keep an outdoor room comfortable.
A closer look
1–12 of 16Decks & outdoor living
Everyday Renovations3 min
That Deck Planter Gets Much Heavier After You Water It
The garden-centre pot was easy to lift. Add soil, water, and a small tree, and the deck has a different question for you.
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Decks & outdoor living
Project Guide2 min
Where Should the Barbecue Go on a Small Deck?
Place a barbecue using its actual clearances, lid movement, fuel connection, and walking routes. A protective mat does not make every tight corner suitable.
Read the postDecks & outdoor living
Project Guide2 min
Building a Deck Around a Tree: Leave Room for the Roots
A deck opening around a trunk does not protect the roots below. Plan footings, access, excavation, and future growth with the tree in mind.
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Decks & outdoor living
Project Guide2 min
Building a Deck With a Narrow Side Yard
A tight access route changes deliveries, excavation, spoil removal, and reinstatement. Measure the whole route before comparing deck construction quotes.
Read the postDecks & outdoor living
Project Guide2 min
Can Your Existing Deck Carry a Hot Tub?
Before putting a hot tub on an Ontario deck, establish the filled weight, support design, access, and electrical work. The boards are only the surface.
Read the postDecks & outdoor living
Project Guide2 min
Glass or Aluminum Deck Railing? Think Past the View
Compare glass panels and open aluminum pickets for cleaning, sightlines, wind exposure, and the approved guard system on an Ontario deck.
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Field Guide3 min
A Pergola Is Not Always a Permit Shortcut
Open slats, solid roofs, and adjustable louvres create different deck proposals. Check structure, zoning, and permits before buying a backyard cover.
Read the postDecision Note3 min
Built-In Deck Bench or Moveable Chairs?
A built-in bench always has a place. That becomes less charming when you want the table in that place.
Weigh the optionsDecision Note3 min
Deck Stairs at the Side or in the Middle?
Centred stairs look composed. They can also aim every trip to the garden directly through dinner.
Weigh the optionsDecks & outdoor living
Field Guide3 min
How Close Can a Deck Be to the Property Line?
Deck setbacks in Ontario depend on local zoning and the actual structure. Learn what to measure before a fence line becomes an expensive assumption.
Read the postDecision Note3 min
One Deck Level or Two? Make Each Level Earn Its Keep.
Two levels can feel like two outdoor rooms. They can also feel like two places too small for the table.
Weigh the options