Decks & Porches in Markdale
Covered porches, cedar decks, walkways and stairs built to take Grey County winters and look good for years.
Decks and porches built like the house
CKThompson Contracting builds decks, covered porches, walkways and exterior stairs in and around Markdale. We build them with the same care we put into framing a house, because a deck that bounces, a porch roof that sags under snow or stairs that heave every spring are the things that make an outdoor space useless.
This page is for homeowners who want a deck off the kitchen, cottage owners who need a safe set of stairs down to the water or up a slope, and anyone building new who wants a covered porch across the front of the house. Recent work includes timber frame wrap around porches on new bungalows, covered boardwalk entries and cedar decks on rural homes.
From the back door to a finished deck
- 01
Measure and plan
We come out, look at the house, the grade, the sun and where the doors are, and sketch the deck or porch with you. Size, height, railing style and whether it is covered get settled here.
- 02
Permit
In Grey County most decks over a certain height off the ground and all covered porches need a building permit. We tell you if yours does and we handle the drawings and application.
- 03
Footings
Posts sit on footings dug below the frost line or on engineered helical piles, so the deck does not heave when the ground freezes. This is the step that separates a deck that lasts from one that does not.
- 04
Frame
Ledger, beams, joists and posts go in, flashed properly where the deck meets the house so water never gets into the wall. A covered porch gets its roof framed and tied into the house roof.
- 05
Decking, railings and stairs
Cedar, pressure treated or composite decking goes down, railings go up, and stairs are built with proper rise and run so they are safe in boots and in snow.
Deck and porch choices
Materials and style change the cost, the look and how much work the deck is to keep. Here is how the common choices compare.
Cedar, pressure treated or composite
Cedar looks the best and smells like a cottage; it needs staining to keep its colour. Pressure treated is the budget choice and lasts well if it is sealed. Composite costs the most up front and needs almost no upkeep.
Open deck or covered porch
An open deck is simpler and cheaper. A covered porch keeps snow and rain off the door, extends the season and protects the decking, but it is a roof and needs footings and framing designed for snow load.
Timber frame or conventional roof
A timber frame porch with exposed posts and beams is a showpiece. A conventionally framed porch roof clad to match the house does the same job for less.
Railing style
Wood pickets are the traditional choice. Aluminum or glass railings cost more, keep the view open and need no maintenance.
Attached or free standing
Attaching to the house is the usual way and needs correct flashing. A free standing deck avoids tying into an old or uncertain wall.
What drives the cost of a deck or porch
Decks and porches are quoted after a site visit. The square footage sets the starting point and the choices below move it from there. We give you a written quote that lists material, footings, railings and stairs separately so you can adjust.
- Size and height off the ground: a high deck needs longer posts, more bracing and more stairs.
- Decking and railing material.
- Covered or open, and whether the porch roof is timber frame.
- Footings: dug concrete versus helical piles, and how many.
- Stairs, landings and walkways.
- Grade and access: a steep cottage lot takes more work than a flat yard.
- Removing an old deck.
Decks and porches we have built
Decks and porches across Grey County
We build decks and porches from Markdale across the county. Lots, grades and snow change the build, so here is what we see in the areas we work in most.
Markdale
Decks around Markdale are mostly on rural and in town homes with room to build, so the question is usually how big and whether to cover it. Covered porches are popular here because they keep the snow off the door through a Grey Highlands winter. Being local, we can look at the yard within days of your call.
Beaver Valley
Beaver Valley decks are built on slopes. Chalets and cottages around Kimberley and Eugenia need high decks on long posts, stairs down to the yard and railings that keep the valley view open, with footings that handle rock near the surface and ground that freezes deep. Snow sliding off a steel roof onto a deck is a real consideration we design around.
Owen Sound
In Owen Sound a deck often replaces a worn out one on an older home and has to fit a city lot with neighbours close by. Permits go through the City. On the water and the bluffs around the city, stairs and walkways to the shore are a common job.
Also serving: Grey County, Chatsworth, Flesherton and Durham.
Questions about decks & porches
Do I need a permit for a deck in Grey County?
Most decks above a low height off the ground, and every covered porch, need a building permit from your municipality. We will tell you whether yours does and handle the drawings and application.
What decking material is best for Grey County winters?
All three common materials work if the frame and footings are right. Cedar and pressure treated need sealing or staining to look their best; composite needs the least care but costs more. Snow and ice are hard on any deck, so drainage and a solid frame matter more than the brand of board.
Can you build a covered porch on my existing house?
Yes. We tie the porch roof into your existing roof or wall, set proper footings, and frame it for snow load. Timber frame and conventionally framed porches are both options.
How deep do deck footings need to be?
Below the frost line, which in Grey County means well over a metre down, or on engineered helical piles. Shallow footings are why so many older decks heave every spring.
Want a deck or porch built right?
Call Craig at 519-270-3060 or request a quote. We will look at the yard and the house and quote the deck you actually want.