Deck Builders in Aurora — Pressure-Treated, Cedar, Composite
OCM Excavation & Construction builds custom decks across Aurora — pressure-treated platforms for budget-conscious backyards, western red cedar for the homes around Bayview Glen and Hills of St. Andrew, and composite systems for owners who want zero maintenance. Every deck we build in Aurora sits on properly poured frost footings, meets Ontario Building Code, and clears the Town of Aurora permit process where required. Call 416-317-3090 for a free quote, or request one online.
Deck materials we build with in Aurora
Most Aurora homeowners pick between three deck materials, and each behaves differently on our local clay and frost cycle.
- Pressure-treated SPF — the workhorse. Ground-contact rated lumber, hidden or exposed fasteners, and a 15-25 year service life if it gets a coat of stain every 2-3 years. Best value per square foot for large platforms on Aurora estate lots.
- Western red cedar — the upgrade for Bayview Wellington and Aurora Highlands homes where appearance matters. Naturally rot-resistant, holds finish well, and softer underfoot than PT. Expect to refinish every 2-3 years to keep the warm tone.
- Composite (capped PVC and capped polymer) — Trex, TimberTech, and similar systems. Hidden clip fastening, no staining, no splinters, and a 25-50 year manufacturer warranty depending on the line. The right call for busy households who don’t want a weekend project every spring.
Framing on every deck we build in Aurora is pressure-treated lumber. The visible surface is your choice. We size joists, beams, and posts off the Ontario Building Code span tables for your specific deck height and load.
Footings, frost, and permits in Aurora
Frost line in Aurora sits around 4 feet (1.2 m). Every deck footing we pour bears below that depth — usually a 10-inch or 12-inch diameter sonotube on a poured concrete bell, or a helical pile where access is tight or soil is poor. Skip the frost depth and the deck heaves the first winter. We don’t cut that corner.
The Town of Aurora requires a building permit for any deck more than 24 inches (600 mm) above adjacent grade, or any deck attached to the house regardless of height. Detached ground-level platforms under 24 inches usually don’t need a permit, but zoning setbacks still apply. We handle the permit drawings, site plan, and inspections so you don’t have to chase Town staff. Aurora deck building under our scope includes the paperwork.
Our deck build process
- Site visit and quote — we walk the yard, measure, talk through materials, railing, stairs, and shade structures. Free, no pressure.
- Design and permit drawings — CAD plan, elevations, and footing details suitable for Town of Aurora plan review.
- Permit submission — we file with Aurora Building Services on your behalf.
- Excavation and footings — sonotubes or helicals to frost depth, inspected before pour.
- Framing — PT structure, ledger flashed and bolted to the house with proper joist hangers and hardware.
- Decking, railing, stairs — your selected boards, picture-framed edges, hidden fasteners where applicable, code-compliant guards above 24 inches.
- Final inspection and cleanup — Town inspector signs off, we haul away every scrap.
Why Aurora homeowners hire OCM
We’re an excavation and construction shop first, which means the dirty parts of a deck build — frost footings, regrading around the structure, drainage away from the house — are handled by the same crew that swings the framing hammer. No subcontractor coordination, no finger-pointing. Aurora deck projects from Yonge Street out to the estate roads east of Bayview get the same crew, the same materials standards, and the same permit handling. We also build matching fences — see fence installation in Aurora if you want the deck and perimeter done together.
We cover all of Aurora and the broader region — see our full GTA service areas for the cities we work in.
FAQ — Aurora deck building
Do I need a permit for a deck in Aurora?
Yes if the deck surface sits more than 24 inches above grade, or if it’s attached to the house at any height. Detached low platforms under 24 inches generally don’t require a permit, but zoning setbacks from property lines still apply. We pull the permit and handle drawings as part of the build.
How deep do deck footings need to go in Aurora?
Below frost — roughly 4 feet (1.2 m) of cover in Aurora. We pour 10-inch or 12-inch sonotubes on a bell footing, or install helical piles where soil or access requires it. Anything shallower will lift in our freeze-thaw cycle and twist the deck within a season or two.
Pressure-treated, cedar, or composite — which is best?
Pressure-treated is the lowest cost and accepts stain well. Cedar looks and feels premium but needs refinishing every 2-3 years. Composite costs more up front but eliminates maintenance for decades. On Aurora estate lots where the deck is the main outdoor room, most owners go composite or cedar.
How long does an Aurora deck build take?
Permit review with the Town of Aurora typically runs 2-4 weeks. Construction itself runs from a few days for a small platform to two-plus weeks for large multi-level decks with stairs, railings, and built-in features. We give a real timeline at quote, not a guess.
Can OCM build a deck and fence at the same time?
Yes. One crew, one mobilization, one cleanup. Combining deck and fence work usually saves money versus hiring two contractors. See our Aurora fence installation page for the materials we offer.
Do you work in north Aurora estate neighbourhoods?
Yes — Bayview Glen, Hills of St. Andrew, Aurora Estates, Aurora Highlands, Aurora Heights, and Bayview Wellington are all in our regular service map. Larger lots usually mean bigger decks, longer spans, and more footings, which we plan for at quote.
Get a free Aurora deck quote
Call 416-317-3090 or request a quote through our free quote form. We’ll come out, measure, talk through pressure-treated, cedar, and composite options, and price the deck honestly. No deposit required to get a number on paper.
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in Aurora? Let’s talk.