What a Pressure-Treated Deck Costs in Ottawa
$25 to $65 per square foot installed
Published prices from 5 Ottawa and Ontario builder pages, read September 2026. Not a quote. Reviewed 2026-09-30. How we set these ranges
Published Ottawa and Ontario builder prices for a pressure-treated deck run about $25 to $65 per square foot installed, read in September 2026 from five builder pages. The spread is wide, and some published packages leave out railings and steps, so a quote is only comparable once you know what it covers.
Compare deck materials for your size
Published Ottawa and Ontario builder prices (read September 2026), multiplied by your deck size as an illustration. Not a quote: some published packages leave out railings and steps.
| Material | Per sq ft installed | Years | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure-treated | $25 to $65 | about 20 years for wood decks in a 2007 US industry survey | semitransparent stain: every 2 to 3 years on new boards and 3 to 6 years on weathered ones (USDA Forest Products Laboratory, US data; expected life depends on climate and exposure) |
| Composite | $45 to $95 | 25- and 30-year limited product warranties (manufacturer); a warranty is not a lifespan | Follow the manufacturer's care guide; we found no neutral interval. |
Permit fee: the City's formula is $12.75 per $1,000 or part thereof of the construction value, with a $117 minimum. The City values the work, not us. No dollar total over time is shown: we found no sourced upkeep prices, and a warranty is not a lifespan.
What to know
Health Canada says treated wood for residential use may be ACQ or copper azole (CA-B); CCA is no longer available for residential construction. Its advice for treated wood is never to burn it, and to wear a dust mask, eye protection, gloves and long sleeves when sawing or sanding. For a wood deck the USDA Forest Products Laboratory recommends penetrating finishes over film-forming ones.
Ottawa rules that apply
The City of Ottawa asks for a material testing report only where the decking is other than conventional lumber. The permit itself turns on the deck, not the boards: its height above grade, whether it is attached or the main way in, and its size (see the permit fee page). Zoning is a separate check: for applications deemed complete on or after March 11, 2026, both Zoning By-law 2008-250 and By-law 2026-50 apply, with the most restrictive provisions winning.
What a fair quote includes
- The treated lumber by name (ACQ or copper azole)
- The foundation: footings or helical piles, and their depth
- Guards and stairs, or a line saying they are extra
- The finish, if any, and who applies it
- Permit drawings and who books the City inspections
Ask before you sign
- Whether a finish is in the price, and which product
- Who applies for the permit and books the footing, framing and final inspections
Questions
Is pressure-treated cheaper than cedar in Ottawa?
On published Ottawa and Ontario builder prices, pressure-treated starts lower: about $25 to $65 per square foot installed, against about $45 to $80 for cedar. The ranges overlap, so compare two quotes for the same deck rather than the ranges.
How often does a pressure-treated deck need a finish?
The USDA Forest Products Laboratory's US figures give semitransparent stain 2 to 3 years on new boards and 3 to 6 years on weathered ones, and a water-repellent preservative 1 to 2 years. Follow the label of the product you use.
Deck IQ answers behind this page
Service: New Deck Building
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