Issue No. 02 — Outdoor Living

Decks built to
look good
ten years in

We build decks that survive freeze-thaw and still photograph beautifully ten years ineautifully in ten years in composite, premium cedar and pressure treated lumber.

Custom Decks
"Most deck failures come from three things: undersized footings, surface fasteners that rust, and bad water management. We solve all three by default."
— Build 4 Outdoors
No. 01

Engineered Substructure

Sonotubes sized to your deck, each set 4 ft below grade.

No. 02

Inset Lighting

Riser and post lights wired during framing — no surface conduit.

No. 03

Pergolas & Privacy

Optional pergolas, screen walls, and built-in benches.

The materials

What we build with.

M.01
Composite, pressure treated, cedar
M.02
Hidden stainless fasteners
M.03
Aluminum, glass or pressure treated railings
M.04
Low voltage LED lighting
  • Composite & cedar
  • Integrated lighting
  • Pergolas & seating
  • Multi-level designs
The process

Five chapters, one deck.

Timeline: 2–4 weeks on-site.

  1. 01

    Design consult

    On-site visit to discuss layout, levels, materials, lighting, and shade.

  2. 02

    Footings

    Helical piles or sonotube footings sized to soil and load — no floating decks.

  3. 03

    Framing

    Pressure-treated joists, proper joist tape, and engineered ledger connection.

  4. 04

    Decking & rails

    Composite or cedar boards, hidden fasteners, glass or aluminum railings.

  5. 05

    Lighting & finish

    Inset riser lights, post caps, skirting, and final cleanup.

Questions, answered

Before you ask.

Composite vs cedar?+

Composite is virtually maintenance-free and lasts 25+ years. Cedar is warmer and cheaper upfront but needs staining every 2–3 years.

Do I need a permit?+

Decks over 24" off grade or attached to the house typically need a permit. We confirm and file when required.

Can you add a pergola later?+

If we know upfront, we'll reinforce the posts so a pergola can be added cleanly anytime.

FREE PROJECT ESTIMATE

Ready to get your free estimate?

Tell us about your project, and we’ll contact you within 24 hours to discuss the next steps and provide your free estimate.

Prefer to speak with us? Call 647-236-4220

  • Free, no-obligation estimate
  • Clear, upfront pricing
  • Reply within 24 hours
  • Serving Toronto & the GTA