PVC Deck Builders in Toronto and the GTA
PVC deck boards are plastic all the way through, with no wood fibre in the core. No stain, no sealer, just a wash in spring. We build them on framing spaced to the board maker's chart, and fasten every board end the day it's cut.
How PVC differs from composite
Composite boards are wood fibre mixed with plastic, and most now have a plastic shell on the outside. A PVC board is polyvinyl chloride, the same plastic as vinyl siding and fencing, with no wood fibre mixed in. Both come in wood-grain finishes and plenty of colours. Neither needs stain.
- Wash it in spring and it's done
- Won't splinter, rot or need sanding
- Hidden fasteners or colour-matched screws for a clean surface
- Boards change length with temperature, so the install follows the maker's rules to the letter
Pick between PVC and composite on the look, the feel underfoot and the price of the line you like. We bring samples of both to the site visit so you can hold them up against the house.
PVC deck cost in the GTA
Installed prices before HST, from our deck cost guide. Checked October 2026. The 12 x 16 ft figures cover the deck itself. Railings, stairs, removing an old deck ($500 to $2,500) and permit drawings ($500 to $2,500, city fees extra) are added on top. Height, layout, the board line and yard access move the price. The final number comes from photos or a site visit.
| Deck | Installed, per sq ft | 12 x 16 ft deck (192 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| PVC | $50 to $110 | $9,600 to $21,120 |
| Composite (mid-range) | $55 to $95 | $10,560 to $18,240 |
| Cedar | $50 to $90 | $9,600 to $17,280 |
| Pressure-treated | $30 to $55 | $5,760 to $10,560 |
What a PVC deck needs underneath
Joists to the maker's chart
PVC boards span less than framing lumber. One major PVC line calls for joists no more than 406 mm (16 in) apart and suggests 305 mm (12 in) for a stiffer feel. Diagonal layouts usually need them closer. We frame to the chart for the board you pick.
Blocking between joists
Rows of solid blocking every 1.2 to 1.8 m (4 to 6 ft), flush with the tops of the joists, keep the frame from twisting under the boards. It's in the board maker's framing guide, and it's quick to do while the deck is open.
Tight ends, fastened the same day
PVC boards change length with temperature. The maker's guide says to keep butt joints tight, put 2 screws in every board end and never leave boards loose overnight. On hot days we keep the stack out of direct sun.
Footings below frost
Posts sit on footings set deep enough to resist frost heave, so the frame under the boards stays level after the first winter.
Sources, checked October 2026: TimberTech, installing Advanced PVC decking, TimberTech joist spacing and blocking guide, TimberTech AZEK decking installation guide.
PVC boards and the building code
The Ontario Building Code lays out one decking material: wood at least 5/4 in thick. Composite and PVC are alternative materials. When your deck needs a permit, the city can ask for proof that the board meets Canadian standards.
Kitchener's building department put it plainly in an August 2026 bulletin. Alternatives such as composite and PVC may need Canadian testing or Ontario engineering, and test results from other countries can't be accepted. GTA cities work from the same Code, so on a permit job we check the board's Canadian evaluation before we order.
The railing is a separate question. Aluminum and glass railings need a professional engineer's design, and we confirm the system has one before we order. Composite and vinyl railings have a harder time: Kitchener's 2024 bulletin said it knew of no approved guard product other than wood, aluminum, steel or glass. That's one reason aluminum and glass are the usual railings on a PVC deck.
Whether your deck needs a permit at all depends on its height, its size and your city. Our deck permits guide compares 24 GTA cities.
Sources, checked October 2026: Kitchener Building Bulletin 2026-05 (August 6, 2026), Kitchener Building Bulletin 2024-01, 2024 Ontario Building Code.
Is PVC the right deck for your yard?
- You want a deck you wash and never stain
- You're already looking at the top of the composite range, where PVC prices overlap
- The frame is new, or sound and spaced for the boards
- You like an even, finished colour more than the look of natural wood
Like composite, dark boards get hot in full summer sun. Lighter colours stay cooler. Take the samples outside on a sunny afternoon before you choose.
Going over an old deck? Many older wood decks were framed wider than PVC allows. We check the joist spacing before we quote a resurface, and our repair or replace guide shows how to check your own frame.
Low-maintenance decks we've built
These are composite decks. PVC boards go on the same kind of frame.
1200 sq ft composite deck with glass railings and lighting
A 1200 square foot composite deck across the back of a King City house, built on two levels with glass railings in black posts, a composite screen wall, and lighting run into the risers and the wall.
View project
400 sq ft composite deck with glass railings
About 400 sq ft of composite decking that replaced a tired wood deck, finished with glass railings, a composite privacy screen, a built-in bench, wide steps and lighting set into the fascia.
View project
Swim spa deck and full backyard rebuild
A full backyard rebuild in North York. About 500 square feet of composite deck framed around a swim spa, black aluminum railings, wide stairs, a stone paver patio below and new sod and planting, with the design and permit handled from the start.
View project
400 sq ft composite deck with aluminum railings
A composite deck with a wide step, a divider board through the field and black aluminum railings.
View projectRead before you build
Deck cost guide
Installed prices per sq ft by material, plus railings and stairs.
Learn moreComposite vs wood decks
Cost, upkeep, look and lifespan compared.
Learn moreDeck permits by city
When a deck needs a permit in 24 GTA municipalities.
Learn moreDeck footing depth in Ontario
How deep footings go, by municipality, and when you can skip them.
Learn morePVC deck questions
How much does a PVC deck cost in Toronto?
Is PVC decking better than composite?
Does PVC decking expand and contract?
Can PVC boards go on my existing deck frame?
Do I need a permit for a PVC deck?
Thinking about a PVC deck?
Send photos of the space, rough measurements and how high the deck sits off the ground. We'll bring PVC and composite samples to the site visit.