Capped composite versus old composite boards in Ontario?

Capped composite (a wood-plastic core wrapped in a polymer shell) and older uncapped composite (wood fibre and plastic blended through, no shell) are both sold as composite decking, and what you can compare is what each manufacturer publishes. Manufacturers of capped composite lines publish 25- and 30-year limited product warranties alongside fade and stain warranties. We found no neutral source on uncapped boards' warranties or lifespan. Read the full warranty document before choosing, because what it covers and what it excludes is in the fine print, not the headline number.

For a permit application in Ottawa, the rule is the same for both: where the proposed decking is other than conventional lumber, the City of Ottawa requires a material testing report, either a CCMC or BMEC evaluation, submitted with the permit application. That applies whether the boards are capped or uncapped composite. Confirm that the product you are considering has a current evaluation report before you buy.

What else shapes the decision

The 2024 Ontario Building Code sets the structural loads the deck frame must carry, not the board surface. The decking material you choose does not change the footing depth, the guard height requirements, or the stair rise and run rules. Those are fixed by the Code regardless of what sits on top of the joists.

On care and upkeep, follow the manufacturer's care guide for the specific product; we found no neutral cleaning interval for composite decking.

A few things to confirm with any builder quoting composite work:

• Which product they are pricing, and whether it has a current CCMC or BMEC evaluation
• Whether the quote includes the material testing report for the permit application, or whether that is extra
• Whether railings and steps are included, because some published packages exclude them

Published Ottawa and Ontario builder prices for composite decking, installed, run about $45 to $95 per square foot, read in September 2026. The spread is wide, and quotes can differ on the board line, height, stairs, railing type and whether removal of an existing deck is included.

Confirm in the contract who applies for the City of Ottawa building permit and who books the three required inspections, which are the excavation or foundations inspection, the framing inspection and the final inspection.