Remember that the lighter the finish the lesser the protection. Transparent finishes that are truly clear last only 10-16 months. 100% Transparent finishes with pigment such as Cabots Clear Solution suggest reservice every 24 months. Semi-transparent or Semi-Solid Stains typically last 3-4 years. Solid Stains last from 3-5 years typically. The darker the color with all products, the longer it takes the sun to fade it. The lighter colors do fade more quickly. The transparent finishes show 100% of the grain. Semi-transparent and Semi-solid products show 35-75% of the grain. Solids cover all grain and can be custom matched.

Typically oil based finishes dry to the touch within a few hours and can be walked on in 24-48 hours after curing. Latex finishes typically dry within 2-3 hours and need a full 48 hours to cure. You would be amazed at how quickly oil finishes set. Often passing showers do not effect these finishes after application.

Remember that the lighter the finish the lesser the protection. Transparent finishes that are truly clear last only 10-16 months. 100% Transparent finishes with pigment such as Cabots Clear Solution suggest reservice every 24 months. Semi-transparent or Semi-Solid Stains typically last 3-4 years. Solid Stains last from 3-5 years typically. The darker the color with all products, the longer it takes the sun to fade it. The lighter colors do fade more quickly. The transparent finishes show 100% of the grain. Semi-transparent and Semi-solid products show 35-75% of the grain. Solids cover all grain and can be custom matched.

Every deck should be washed before weatherproofing. All lumber especially pressure treated pine contains a chemical commonly known as mill glaze. It protects the wood during the storing in lumberyards. This must be removed prior to weatherproofing to ensure proper adhesion.

We can remove some of them, but unfortunately the oils penetrate the wood and set in. We will do our best, but never promise full removal without sanding.

We have a program called re-decking that promotes the use of existing framing of current deck while removing the existing rails and flooring. We often convert old splintery decks to maintenance free decks at a discount because we do not need to create a new frame.

• Clear ice, snow, and leaves off your deck as often as possible.
• Protect around the barbecue to keep grease off of your deck.
• Give your deck some shade with an awning or tree.
• Occasionally rinse your deck so dirt doesn’t get ground into the wood.
• If you have toys, pots, or other objects on the deck, don’t let them sit in one spot. Move them around every so often so the deck is getting weathered at an even rate.
• Don’t wait too long before treating deck. Decks can be ruined quickly if they are ignored!

It is normal for composite decking materials to fade (generally 15 to 20% of its original color) over time. This is part of the normal weathering process of composite decking. Staining has always been an ongoing issue with composite decking

In general, decks should be approximately the same size or slightly larger than interior rooms with the same function. A deck intended for dining should be around the size of a dining room. A deck intended for outdoor gathering should be living room size. Keep in mind that that most outdoor furniture is slightly larger than indoor furniture. Include additional space for circulation and traffic flow.

The material you choose should be based on these factors:

• The look you want
• Your budget
• The best material for your climate
• Your usage/durability expectations

After considering these factors, work with us to determine the best material for your deck.

• Treated Pine
  Pine that has been treated is structurally superior, and resistant to decay and termites. Pressure treatment allows protective ingredients to penetrate deeply into the heart of the wood. Treated pine is a popular material because it is the least expensive, while maintaining a decent appearance.
• Cedar
  Cedar wood is a good choice for construction of outdoor decks and stairs. Cedar naturally resists decay, is light in weight, easy to work with, and fits the majority of architectural styles. Cedar holds up well in constant exposure to the sun, though if not stained every 2-3 years, it will begin to gray. However, it is less prone to cracking and splintering like treated pine decks.
• Composite
  Made by combining cedar wood fiber and recycled material, composite decks are appreciated for their appearance and low maintenance. Composite material is more resistant to moisture and less prone to bending and warping. A composite deck is very durable, is as easy to install and looks very similar to regular wood, but requires minimal maintenance. Composite is becoming a popular material choice because of its low maintenance requirements; however, it is more expensive than other materials.
• Vinyl
  Originally designed for marine docks, vinyl decks are another popular option for residential decking because of their durability, appearance, and low maintenance. Vinyl provides a wide variety of colors, and is easily kept looking new for many years.

All the railing systems can be mixed and matched and work well with one another. Quite often customers will use picket railing on the sides of their decks and stairs and one of the glass railing systems at the front of their deck in order to maximize their view and minimize the visual interruptions.

Similar to a car windshield, the glass products used in railing are very similar and are designed with impact in mind. Tempered or laminated safety glass are used in both systems; 6mm is used for the glass rail system (with top rail) and 10-12mm glass is used in our topless system (no top rail).

Spanning between deck posts depends on the type of railing: Glass railing 5′, Picket 6′ and up to 6′ for our topless railing.

The best thing for removing ice and snow is a calcium chloride-based “ice-melt” or rock salt. If you’re unsure about what type of ice-melt you’re looking for, search for a product that has the phrases, “safe for concrete”, “safe for flagstone”, and “will not kill grass” in its description. Do not use ice melt with an added colorant. The dyes can stain your composite decking.

We advise for 16″ spacing between joists for residential and 12″ for commercial.

There is no specific time for carrying out deck repair; however, we strongly advise having Toronto deck contractors do it as soon as possible to ensure the safety of the deck construction at your home or office.

A picket fence generally has a 2 ½” gap between the pickets. Much like solid fence, install your first picket against the house or at the end of the rails. Using a jig for spacing, space your next picket 2 ½” away. You will have to level every picket on a picket fence.

In most applications, a wood fence should should be installed at least two inches off the ground. Your posts and rot boards (if you choose to install them)should be the only fence components that contact the ground. Wood pickets should never touch it..

Screws are typically more expensive than using nails. In the end, though, screws are more effective and last longer. Even better, it is much simpler and efficient to remove screws holding a fence together to make repairs or to replace a few boards than to try to pull out nails and make adjustments

Fence rails are generally two-by-fours that are installed between or across posts and are often what the fence boards are affixed to. All fences will have a top and bottom rail. One general rule of thumb is to have a horizontal rail for every 24 inches in height. For a six-foot-high fence, this means three rails.

Installing wooden fence boards too tight together: this will cause the boards to warp because when the wood becomes moist it will expand. Make sure to leave a half inch or more in between the boards. Incorrect post spacing: posts should be about every 6 to 8 feet, depending on the type of material used.

A picket fence generally has a 2 ½” gap between the pickets. Much like solid fence, install your first picket against the house or at the end of the rails.  

A rot board, also called a kickboard, is a horizontal board installed along the bottom of the fence panel. Typically a 2×6 or 2×8 piece of wood, it runs along the base of the entire fence panel for a finished look and added protection.

If the current fence doesn’t need replacing then there is usually no need to build a new fence. If the fence does need replacing your neighbour can ask that you pay half the cost of a ‘sufficient dividing fence’

Typically oil based finishes dry to the touch within a few hours and can be walked on in 24-48 hours after curing. Latex finishes typically dry within 2-3 hours and need a full 48 hours to cure. You would be amazed at how quickly oil finishes set. Often passing showers do not effect these finishes after application.

If you want to change anything about a fence that legally belongs to your neighbour, you should ask their permission first – even if you’re only painting or staining your side of the fence.

Most lattices come in 4-by-2 feet or 8-by-2 feet panels that can be cut with a table or hand saw. Add extension posts to the existing fence posts with a metal tie plate.Once the lattice is cut to fit, attach it to the secured extension posts.

You need planning permission if your fence height including trellis exceeds 2 metres (6.56ft) above ground level. If your fence height is higher that 1 metre (3.28ft) and you live next to a highway used by vehicles or the pedestrian footpath of such highway, then you need planning permission.

The general rule that applies in most jurisdictions is you do not need permission from a neighbor to build a fence on your property. … He would have the right to refuse to allow any part of your fence to touch his land.

 Wood fence and chain link fence are highly recommended fencing styles to secure both residential and commercial properties.

 As the name suggests, acoustic fencing is a great defense against unnecessary noise. acoustic sound barrier fencing also known as a sound barrier fence, is also known for its long-lasting quality.

 When deck building or doing fence installation in Toronto, we advise installing fences and decks during the spring to fall seasons.

Fence ownership is determined by where your fence lays on the property line. If your fence is right on the property line between your neighbor’s property and your property, neither you nor your neighbor owns a side; it’s a shared fence and a shared responsibility.