Custom Decks

Custom decks can make a beautiful addition to your back yard. Install one in yours, and you’ll have a comfortable space to sit and enjoy Toronto’s summer weather and entertain guests. However, if it becomes infiltrated by pests, the party will be over. In order to keep your deck as peaceful as possible, follow these tips.

How to Stop Pests from Getting into Custom Decks?

Are you wondering how to turn your garden into a pest-free zone? Decking can sometimes provide a good hiding place for them, but it doesn’t have to. Read on to find out the best ways to keep pests away from your decking.

• Use the Right Materials – The type of material you choose for custom decks can have a considerable impact on the likelihood of it getting an infestation. Choose a bug-resistant material, such as composite material or pressure-treated wood, and you’ll increase your chances of being termite-free.
• Fill the Gaps – Any gaps underneath your deck present an opportunity for rodents like opossums, rats, squirrels and skunks to get in and create nest in the warm, dark space. Once they’re in there, you could end up having to pull the whole thing apart to eradicate the problem. To prevent such a catastrophe, put in a skirting board around the bottom to cover any gaps between the decking and the ground.
• Use Mesh – Mesh can be a great tool to combat insects and other pests, which is why it’s commonly-used for bug screens. Consider installing some on the underside of your decking boards in other to stop any critters from being able to crawl through.
• Install Lighting – This may seem counter-active, as light can attract insects, but if you use the right kind, they’ll actually keep them away. You can use a bug zapper light to get rid of them, but if you’re looking for a less lethal and more subtle option, get yourself some yellow bug lights. These bulbs have a lower ‘colour temperature’ than standard ones, and therefore don’t attract insects. They’ll provide the same illumination for you though, and will also give your deck more ambience.
• Get Rid of Water – It’s hard to enjoy sitting outside on a summer’s evening when mosquitoes are buzzing around you and you’re having to constantly swat them away to avoid getting bitten. To make your deck a more pleasant area for you to relax in, you need to make it less appealing to mosquitoes. The best way to do that is to eradicate any standing water, as it provides a breeding place for them. If your yard is prone to puddles, fill the problem areas with extra soil, rocks, or any kind of decoration you like. Also, use a drainage system to draw water away from the decking area. That way, those pesky bugs will be more likely to go somewhere else.
• Seal It – It goes without saying that the wood that’s used for custom decks needs to be treated before being installed. If you don’t, the sun, rain and varying Toronto temperatures will cause the wood to warp, mildew to form, and cracks to appear. All of these factors create the perfect environment for pests, so use an initial coating of sealant and be sure to maintain it by topping it up regularly.

Protect Your custom Decks

Custom decks can add value to any home and make a garden a more functional, enjoyable space, but that’s only if they’re well-maintained. Besides, the last thing anyone wants is to have to call in pest control. Follow the advice above, and you won’t have any issues.

When anyone begins planning to build a custom deck, most often they are motivated by thoughts of endless summer days spent lounging lazily under another beautiful  decks Toronto sky, friends and family around and perhaps even a few mid-afternoon cocktails if that’s your thing. And while these are the days when your deck can seem like heaven on earth, it is absolutely vital that you take some steps during your planning process to ensure your custom deck not only makes you smile on sunny days, but also on those days in which the elements seem to have picked a fight with your deck. For when the first Toronto snow storm hits, you want to make sure your deck is ready.
Lucky for you, we have compiled a list of some key features that you can implement during your custom decks planning stages to make sure your deck design is ready for anything Mother Nature has in store.

Choose Your Wood Wisely for all weather Custom Decks

While there exists no wood that is completely immune to rot and decay from the elements, there is definitely a lot to be said about equipping your deck with a solid wood to stand up better against adverse weather. There are in fact, certain woods that are inherently more resistant than others. So rather than going against the grain, why not get on nature’s side from the beginning and equip your custom deck with naturally more resistant wood. Some of the most commonly used woods with the greatest resistance to the elements include black locust, teak, ipe, and California Redwood. These woods are used not only because of their toughness, but that they also look great even as they age.

Don’t Skimp On Deck Furniture

As your deck will be the place for many gatherings, you will want to surely have enough furniture to keep everyone comfortable. But to make the most out of your furniture, we recommend you invest in higher quality furniture at the beginning so you won’t be needing to replace it after every season. For wooden tables and chairs, refer to the list of resistant woods above to make sure they are ready for the seasons. Another good option would be to invest in cast iron furniture and you will have it for many years to come. And once the frost has officially set in and your last official dinner on the deck has come and gone, be sure to bring your deck furniture in for storage. Storing it during the cold seasons will help increase its overall longevity, and save you money. Cha Ching!

Don’t Screw Your all weather Custom Decks

Many people think that when building a new custom deck the wood is the only thing that will determine its longevity, however, this is far from true. In fact, what leads to the demise of most decks is not the actual wood itself, but the screws that hold it together. Cheap screws will rust and deteriorate very quickly in the vicious Toronto elements. Therefore, to ensure a long life you should invest in stainless-steel screws. It is a simple fix, but one that many people unfortunately forget and try to save a few extra dollars on cheaper screws. Long story short, do not go the cheap route when designing your deck’s very foundation – you will be very happy you didn’t in the long run!
Natives and newcomers to Toronto alike know very well that the seasons in this city are no joke. Its ruthless winters and harsh climate can test the spirit of just about anyone, and leave you daydreaming of those summer days spent outside. But while you’re cooped up inside daydreaming, your deck is still out there fighting off the relentless elements. So be sure to begin your deck on the right foot, and plan with longevity in mind.

To know more about all weather custom decks contact Toronto Custom Decks Today!

So, you are interested in adding a deck onto your house, but you’re not sure how that is going to work with the size of your yard and other things? No need to worry! No matter how big your yard is or what your needs are for a deck and the rest of your space, we’ll help you sort it out. Here are some important things to consider before you start building a deck.

What will your new deck look like?

There are more choices of materials and designs now than there ever were before. Maybe you’ve seen a deck that you loved or you have your own unique idea in mind. Even if you haven’t yet decided what you want your deck to look like, we can help you choose a design that you will love!

Make use of space under your deck:

• Some deck owners use this space for storage, which can be open or enclosed, depending on your preferences. This is a good idea if you have things that you want to keep tucked away but not taking up space in your garage. It will also help your yard to look less cluttered when you’re sitting on your new deck!
• Other deck owners choose to set up a shaded area under the deck for those hot/rainy Toronto days. A seating area under your deck can even be screened in, allowing you the comfort of sitting outside late into the evening without being bothered by bugs.

One of the great things about custom decks is that you choose what the space will be used for!

Consider the location of your deck:

You might think that the back yard is the only possible location for a deck, and it is the most popular choice. However, many Toronto homeowners are now putting custom decks on the sides of their houses or on the front. You choose the location that’s best for you and we’ll help make it work.

Think about what you want the view from your custom deck to look like:

You probably have an idea in your head about what you want to look at or what you want others to see while they’re sitting on your deck. Keeping this in mind while designing your new deck will help make your dream a reality!

Consider the size of your deck based on your needs and the space available:

You might want a small deck just big enough for your family and your barbeque, a huge deck to host big parties on or something in between. We build custom decks in all shapes and sizes, so no matter what your needs are, we can meet them.

List your “Must Haves” and “Nice to Haves” for your deck and your outdoor space:

Have some plants or other features of your yard that you don’t want to change? No problem, let us know and we’ll make sure we find a way to keep them. Want to upgrade your outdoor space at the same time as you add a new deck? We can help with that too!
By getting everything down on paper, it will be easier for you and our builders to design your custom deck to fit your every desire.

Custom Decks are Specially Designed to Fit Your Needs

That’s right! All of our custom decks are specially designed based on the space available, how large of a deck is desired, and what you want to do with your deck space and other outdoor space. We can help you decide on the style and size of your deck as well as how to make the best use of your outdoor space.

Deciding to build a deck on your property is often something of a no-brainer – the best properties in Toronto all seem to feature some beautiful type of deck design. Yet simply copying another property’s deck is usually a recipe for failure. A deck, if done well, should look and feel like an integral part of your space – not simply an add-on. Furthermore, it’s a place that you’ll be hoping to spend a decent amount of time and should, therefore, reflect your family’s tastes and the purpose for which it is being built. For these reasons, you might decide to carry out their own deck design before building it yourself.

What Do I Need to Consider When Coming Up with My Deck Design?

Regardless of your DIY skillset, coming up with any kind of building design can be fraught with complications – especially if you’ve never done it before. As with most projects, deck design has its own list of common problems and complications that can arise. In order to make sure you avoid these pitfalls, it’s worth your while learning about what could and can go wrong with your deck project. The best time to do that is before you start to make the designs, and that’s why we’re listing them here:

• Make Sure You Can Get Planning Permission – Sounds obvious, right? Yet still, every year perfectly good decks get torn up all over Toronto, simply because permission was never sought for their construction. If you don’t want to risk throwing thousands of dollars down the drain for nothing, make sure you get permission as soon as possible.
• Use Galvanized Steel – If you’re unused to working with outdoor structures, it’s easy to overlook this point. It might seem at first that any old steel fixings will do, but remember that these nails and screws will have to stand up to the elements all day, every day. Galvanized steel fixings have good protection from corrosion, unlike regular steel. Using fixing that aren’t galvanized means they can be damaged to the extent that your entire deck could be in need of serious repairs within a couple of years.
• Mark Out Where Your Boards Will Go – A common mistake of first-timers is that they try to lay out each board to be level and parallel with the one before it. Mark out where your boards should go before you start laying them, in order to avoid complications.
• Know the Location of Your Gas and Water Pipes – It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to get carried away at the planning stage. Don’t let that happen to you. It’s better to spend the time working them in and around your design, than having to make changes once the project is underway.
• Don’t Try to Scrimp on Timber – It’s tempting to try to keep costs down by opting for lower grade timber or softwoods instead of hardwood. While they might look great when you buy them, they are less likely to stand up to the wear and tear of a deck, and you could be looking at needing a replacement in as little as a couple of years.

If you approach your deck design as if you were building a full extension, or even a new structure, you should be fine. Trying to cut corners at any stage is simply asking for trouble. At the design stage, bear in mind the points listed here and you stand a much better chance of enjoying your new deck for a long time. Take your time and don’t try to rush – it’s worth it in the long run!

Custom decks can be a great outdoor feature: something that every member of the family can enjoy in the summer months and a fixture that can do a great deal to improve the overall look and feel of your backyard. However, before you hire a local contractor to design and build a new deck for your home, there are a few things you need to consider, mostly relating to the local climate. The type of weather you are likely to experience in the summertime may influence both the design and material choices for your new deck so it is worth spending a few minutes looking through this short guide before you approach any local firms.

Designing and Specifying Custom Decks for the Local Climate

For the purposes of this article, we are going to assume that, like us, you reside in the city of Toronto, or the surrounding suburbs. If you live elsewhere in Canada, your choices may differ in some respects.

• Positioning – One of the first factors to consider when planning a new deck is where to put it. Bearing in mind the hot and sticky weather that often prevails in the GTA during the summer months, you will want to pick somewhere with natural shade if at all possible. If this is not possible, you can ask your contractor to include an awning or canopy in the design, so that at least part of it is in shade for most of the day. Such a feature will also enable you to enjoy sitting outside even when it is raining.

• Material – Although the summers in Toronto are normally fine as far as the weather is concerned, the spring and autumn months bring plenty of rain with them. For this reason, custom decks should be built with a material that is able to withstand moist conditions without any adverse effects. Composite decks are probably the best choice as far as wet weather performance is concerned but they are a little more expensive than their natural timber counterparts. What you should bear in mind though, is that composite materials will remain in good condition for longer than natural wood, thereby reducing maintenance costs over the years. When you factor this into your calculations, you will see that overall, composite custom decks are no more expensive than wooden decks and may actually work out to be cheaper in the long run.

If you simply prefer the look and feel of natural timber, cedar is a good choice. The natural oils that     it contains make it moisture resistant as well as less susceptible to attacks from insects and decay than other woods. If you don’t mind spending around 30% more, ipe could be the perfect choice for your new deck. Harder and more durable than any other type of hardwood used to build custom decks, ipe, in common with cedar, is also naturally resistant to moisture, insects and decay.

• Size – If you expect many hot sunny days during the summer, and plenty of mild days during spring and autumn, you will probably want to specify as large a deck as possible so that you can enjoy the fine weather to the full. On the other hand, if you live in a part of the country where the sun rarely makes an appearance, a small corner deck could be your best choice.

We have built many beautiful custom decks in the GTA and would be delighted to design and build one for you. Just call and ask to speak to a member of our sales team if you would like to discuss your requirements.

When contemplating a new deck most homeowners start at the same place: pressure treated lumber. Pressure treated lumber is the most popular choice for decking because it’s readily available, affordable and easy to work with. However, as it’s milled from yellow pine it will require regular maintenance to keep from splitting, warping or rotting and to prevent wood boring insects and various types of fungus from setting up shop. Because of the maintenance required of pressure treated lumber and other types of natural wood decking homeowners today are taking a serious look at low maintenance, vinyl or composite decking. In this post we’ll lay out the reasons why low maintenance custom decks is a gift that keeps on giving.

Building Custom Decks from Low Maintenance Materials

Low maintenance custom decks have come into their own in the last few years and are now virtually indistinguishable from their natural counterpart in the looks department. Where they differ is in the fact that you’ll be able to install it and pretty much forget about it. No more having to refinish or repaint the deck every year. No more having to pay to replace rotten or warped sections. Other benefits of low maintenance decking include:

• It impervious to the elements: Composite or vinyl decking doesn’t care if it’s snowing or raining or hailing or anything else. It’s not affected by the cold of the Toronto winter and it’s not impressed by UV rays from the sun. It’s also less slippery than natural wood when it gets wet and you’ll never be pulling a sliver out of your foot because you walked out onto the deck in bare feet.

• It will save you long-term: Yes, composite decking is more expensive to install than standard pressure treated lumber. But, over the course of just a few years you’ll make up the difference in what you don’t spend on paint or stains or replacing rotten or warped elements of your deck. And considering your low maintenance deck can easily last 20 years or more you stand to save big over the long-term.

• Increases your home’s value: Professionally installed custom decks add substantial bottom line value to your home. The fact that yours won’t require more than a light cleaning once in a while is a strong selling point to potential buyers. Some buyers will look at pressure treated lumber decks and think; “Nice but lots of upkeep”. With low maintenance decks their assessment will stop at “Nice!”

• Aesthetics: In the early days of composite, low maintenance decking homeowners often took issue with the fact that the material looked artificial. That’s no longer the case today as sophisticated methods of mimicking the colour and grain of real wood have been perfected. Your new low-maintenance deck will look as good 10 years after you install it as it does the day you first step onto it.

Low maintenance custom decks are quickly becoming one of the most popular types of deck and for good reason. Give most people a choice between a beautiful deck that will require regular maintenance and one that looks just as good but is virtually maintenance free and they’ll pick the latter almost every time (there will always be those purists that just won’t go for anything non-traditional and that’s fine).

Talk to the deck professionals at Toronto Custom Decks to learn more about the various types of low maintenance decking materials available and to determine which one would be right for your home. We can build you a low-maintenance deck for less than you might imagine. One that will add beauty, value and enjoyment to your home for years, no, decades to come.

A brand new deck where you can enjoy eating outdoors, or simply relaxing in a pleasant environment when the fine weather arrives, sounds like a great idea and if the work is completed properly it could prove to be a major asset for years to come. Many Toronto homeowners have beautiful decks from which they derive much pleasure but you need to plan such a project carefully if you are to avoid making the mistakes that others have made in the past.

Mistakes to Avoid When Designing and Constructing Custom Decks

When you are planning your new deck, consider the following common mistakes and make sure that you do not follow in the footsteps of other unfortunate homeowners.

• Failing to Produce a Detailed Plan – Whether you would like to tackle the work yourself or you hire a local firm to build your new deck, the very first thing you will need is a comprehensive plan. A deck may not sound like a major project when compared to a home addition but if you do not have a detailed design from which to work, there is very little chance that the project will be a success.
• Failure to Obtain a Permit – Custom decks that are more than 60cm off the ground require a building permit from the local authorities. If you do not apply for, and receive, such a permit, you may be asked to dismantle your deck should it be discovered by local officials at any point in the future.
• Hiring an Inexperienced Team – If you are paying for professional help, make sure that you hire a firm with the knowledge and experience to build a high quality deck in your Toronto backyard. Less experienced contractors may charge slightly less but can end up costing you much more in the long term.
• Using Concrete Footings – Unless they are several feet below grade, concrete footings are susceptible to freeze/thaw damage in the cold winters we experience here. This damage can cause custom decks to move or sink over time, which is obviously undesirable.
• Failure to Plan the Position of Furniture and Cooking Appliances – If you want to use your new deck to cook and eat meals outside in the warm weather, you will need to consider the placement of tables, seating, and BBQ equipment at the design stage. Failure to do so could result in you having to make undesirable compromises once the project is well underway.
• Not Considering the Position of the Sun – If you want to make the most of your new deck, you will need to consider siding at the planning stage, to shade it from the heat of the midday sun. The position of the sun during the hottest part of the day will determine the height and position of any siding that you incorporate into your final design.
• Hiring Uninsured Contractors – Any reputable firm that builds custom decks in the area should have a generous public liability policy that covers the cost of any damage they may inadvertently cause to your property or any injuries that may be sustained by their staff or clients. If you hire an uninsured contractor, you could be faced with massive repair costs or expensive lawsuits in the event that something should go seriously wrong during the construction of your new deck.

To make sure that you avoid all the above mistakes and any others that may be waiting to catch you unawares, work with ME Contracting, the local experts in custom decks. We have successfully completed many projects in the city and would love the opportunity to build your new deck.

Buying a property is a big investment, so it’s no wonder we want to be proud of our homes and keep them looking great. Your garden is often the first thing guests will see and it’s here you have a huge opportunity to set a good first impression. Do you want your outdoors to look clean and looked after, or would you prefer to showcase something a little more unique?

Custom Decks Can Give Your Outdoors a Unique Identity

Toronto experiences cold winters and hot summers, which is why your deck needs to be resilient to harsh weather while looking great to be enjoyed through the summer months. Many high quality materials can be used to create custom decks that will give your garden an awe-inspiring facelift.

• Cedar Decking – This is among the most durable of materials used to create outdoor decks and its beauty makes it a popular choice for a wide range of uses across virtually any style, be it contemporary or stylised to a specific time period.
• Composite Decks – Though this can appear to be a larger initial investment than some other materials, its high durability makes it worth it in the long run. Composite decks are made from a mixture of wood and plastic purposely to reduce the amount of maintenance required.
• Ipe Decking – Also known as Brazilian walnut, this material is native to South America and even has a fire rating. This beautiful material naturally repels pests and mold, making it an investment you’ll enjoy for years to come.
• PVC Decking – If you prefer your custom decks to have an organic look, this might not be the deck for you. However, it is fully recyclable and puts up superior resistance to weathering. It’s also extremely low maintenance for those of us who would rather not have to look after the garden on a constant basis, and there’s no need to worry about the kids picking up any painful splinters!
• Trex Decking – This is an example of a composite material that promises high durability while looking great. The little amount of maintenance required makes it a popular choice, needing to be cleaned only one or two times a year to remain looking almost brand new. Choose this material for your custom decks and you’ll have a unique garden that requires very little upkeep.
• Deck Design – Aside from the material you choose to give your garden an aesthetic boost, you also need to consider how exactly you want it to look. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have much of an eye for design yourself; Toronto is home to high quality deck designers that will happily offer you their expert advice.
• Complete Solutions – Our final idea offering to make custom decks look as impressive as possible is to look for combined solutions that add many other elements of outdoor landscaping into the mix. Reputable companies that specialise in outdoor design never make two gardens look identical. So, if you want something really stylish, you might want to explore full landscaping solutions.

Your garden is a place for you to enjoy the hot summer weather, but it’s also crucial that it can stand up to the harsh weather during the winter months. This article explored a far from exhaustive list of ideas for custom decks which are designed to achieve both of those purposes. If you’re looking for an experienced and professional company, visit Torontocustomdecks.ca to explore a variety of outdoor ideas that could turn your garden into your own unique paradise.