How Much Does a Deck Cost in Ontario? (2026 Breakdown)

Q: What is the cheapest decking material?

Pressure-treated wood is the most affordable decking material at roughly $45–$65 per square foot installed. A standard 12x16 deck lands around $9,000–$12,000. The trade-off is maintenance: it needs staining and sealing every two to three years.

Q: Is composite decking worth the extra cost?

Composite decking costs $65–$95 per square foot installed — more upfront than wood — but is effectively maintenance-free and handles Canadian freeze-thaw cycles well. Over 20 years, many homeowners find composite cheaper once they factor in the staining and sealing they skip.

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If you're planning a deck this year, the first question is always the same: what's this going to cost me? The honest answer for 2026 is that most Ontario homeowners pay between $8,000 and $25,000 — with the majority of projects landing in the $10,000–$18,000 range. But that range is wide for a reason, and understanding why is how you avoid overpaying.

The per-square-foot reality

Most installed decks in Ontario run $45 to $95 per square foot in 2026. That figure includes everything: the framing, the decking boards, the footings, labour, and cleanup. The reason it swings so much comes down to three things — material, height, and foundation.

Material is your biggest cost lever

Pressure-treated wood — the most affordable option at roughly $45–$65 per square foot installed. A standard 12×16 deck (192 sq ft) lands around $9,000–$12,000. The trade-off is maintenance: you'll need to stain and seal it every two to three years.
Cedar — naturally rot-resistant and better-looking unfinished, sitting in the mid-range above pressure-treated.
Composite (Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon) — $65–$95 per square foot installed. Higher upfront, but effectively maintenance-free and better at handling Canadian freeze-thaw cycles. Over 20 years, many homeowners find composite cheaper once you factor in the staining and sealing you skip.

$9,000 – $12,000

Typical cost of a 12×16 pressure-treated deck in Ontario, 2026

Height and structure add up fast

A ground-level deck is your base price. A raised deck with stairs typically adds $2,000–$5,000. A second-storey walkout can add $5,000–$15,000 on its own, because of the extra structural support and railing required.

The costs people forget

Permits usually run $150–$500 depending on your municipality. Footings have to be dug to Ontario's roughly 48-inch frost line. And if you're replacing an old deck, removal is an added line item.

💡 The one thing to check on every quote

Footings. An undersized foundation is the leading cause of a deck that sags or heaves within a few winters — and repairing it later can cost more than the original build. When you compare quotes, ask each contractor how deep their footings go. The right answer is "to the frost line." A lowball quote that skips this isn't a deal; it's a future repair bill.

Deck cost FAQs

How much does a deck cost in Ontario in 2026?

Most Ontario homeowners pay between $8,000 and $25,000 for a new deck in 2026, with most projects landing in the $10,000–$18,000 range. Installed decks run roughly $45–$95 per square foot depending on material, height, and foundation.

What is the cheapest decking material?

Pressure-treated wood is the most affordable at roughly $45–$65 per square foot installed. A standard 12×16 deck lands around $9,000–$12,000. The trade-off is maintenance — it needs staining and sealing every two to three years.

Is composite decking worth the extra cost?

Composite runs $65–$95 per square foot installed — more upfront than wood — but is effectively maintenance-free and handles Canadian freeze-thaw cycles well. Over 20 years, many homeowners find it cheaper once you factor in the staining and sealing you skip.

What adds the most cost to a deck build?

Height and structure add up fastest. A raised deck with stairs typically adds $2,000–$5,000, and a second-storey walkout can add $5,000–$15,000 on its own. Material choice is the other major cost lever.

Get a real number for your project

Online ranges are a starting point, not a quote. The only way to know what your deck actually costs is to have a pro look at your space — or get an instant ballpark with our free calculator first.

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The figures in this guide are based on typical 2026 Ontario pricing and are intended as general estimates, not quotes. Your actual cost depends on site conditions, design, materials, access, and your chosen contractor. Always get an on-site quote before budgeting.