The boards are splintering. The stairs wobble a little more every spring. And every time you sit outside, you can see straight into your neighbour’s kitchen. Your backyard should be the place you relax, not another item on the repair list.
Working with experienced deck builders in St. Thomas Ontario can turn a tired yard into the outdoor space you actually use. Here is what to know before you build, which materials make sense for our climate, and how a well-planned fence can finish the whole project.
What Do Deck Builders in St. Thomas Ontario Actually Handle?
A full-service deck builder takes care of much more than nailing down boards. A typical project includes:
- Design and layout that fits your yard and how you use it
- Permit drawings and applications when required
- Footings, framing, and decking
- Railings, stairs, and any built-in features like benches or planters
Do You Need a Permit for a Deck in St. Thomas?
Often, yes. Whether you need one depends on things like the deck’s height, size, and whether it attaches to the house. Check with the City of St. Thomas building department before work begins. A good builder will prepare the drawings and walk you through the process.
Choosing the Right Decking Material
Each option has trade-offs:
- Pressure-treated wood: the budget-friendly choice, but it needs regular staining or sealing
- Cedar: a warm, natural look with good rot resistance, though it still needs care
- Composite: a higher upfront cost, but no staining and very little upkeep
Think about how you live. A busy family with no time for weekend maintenance will likely be happier with composite. Someone who loves the classic look of wood and does not mind staining every few years may prefer cedar.
Why Footings Matter More Than the Boards
Ontario’s freeze-thaw cycles can lift and shift a deck that sits on shallow supports. This is called frost heave, when frozen ground swells and pushes structures upward. Footings need to sit below the frost line so your deck stays level year after year.
Ask any builder you are considering how deep their footings go and what type they use, such as poured concrete piers or helical piles, which are large steel screws driven into the ground.
Pairing Your Deck With a Fence: What a Fence Company in St. Thomas Ontario Can Do
A new deck often makes an old fence look even worse. A fence adds privacy, keeps kids and pets safely in the yard, and frames your outdoor space so it feels finished.
Fence Styles That Work Well With a New Deck
- Board-on-board privacy fence: full coverage with no gaps
- Horizontal slat fence: a clean, modern look
- Picket fence: a classic choice for front yards
- Lattice-top fence: privacy with a lighter, more open feel
What to Check Before Your Fence Goes Up
- Local bylaws on fence height
- Pool enclosure rules, if you have a pool
- Your exact property line, using your survey
- Underground utilities: contact Ontario One Call for locates before anyone digs
- A quick chat with your neighbours, which prevents a lot of disputes
Should One Company Build Both?
It often makes sense. When the same team builds your deck and fence, the materials and stain colours match, the layout flows together, and you deal with one schedule instead of two. If you are comparing options, ask each fence company in St. Thomas Ontario whether it can match the style and finish of your deck.
Let’s Build Your Backyard
FASTZ Home Improvement helps homeowners in St. Thomas, London, Aylmer, Port Stanley, and Ingersoll with outdoor projects, including decks and fences. Call us at (226) 564-0151 to talk through your ideas and get a clear, written estimate.