Deck builder in the Almaguin Highlands.
An Almaguin deck carries snow, shovels and a hard freeze every winter. Garland Contracting builds and rebuilds decks, porches and railings in Burk's Falls, Sundridge, South River, Magnetawan, Kearney and the communities around them.
A deck for a year-round house
A deck on a year-round home works for nine months and takes a beating for three. Snow piles up on the surface, shovels scrape it and plowed snow lands beside it. Meltwater runs along the ledger, and frost heaves the footings. A deck needs to handle all of that.
- Footings below frost, about 1.2 m (4 ft) in this region
- Posts and beams sized for the snow load
- Flashing above the ledger so meltwater does not run behind it
- Boards spaced to drain, with fasteners that resist corrosion
- Railings and stairs that hold up under use
Decks, porches and entries
In the Almaguin Highlands, a deck often doubles as an entry. A back door opens onto stairs that see use every day. We build stairs with solid footings, consistent steps and handrails, and we plan where snow slides from the roof so it does not bury the entry.
The photos show a finished deck with steps, and a deck in the framing stage. Both come from our work.
Fixing an old deck
A deck that has lasted fifteen years has earned a careful look. Check the ledger where it meets the house, the posts at the base and the joists nearest the wall. Press a screwdriver into the wood. If it sinks, the framing has rotted. Our rot repair work in the Almaguin Highlands covers how we fix those problems.
Sometimes only the boards need replacing. We inspect the frame and tell you what the deck needs.
Permits, rental properties and commercial work
Each municipality sets its own permit rules, and we check what applies when we quote. For a rental or a multi-unit property, a deck often serves several tenants, so the guards and stairs matter more. We take contracts from owners and property managers. Send a description of the scope and the access, and Dylan walks the site and sets the price.
Snow on the deck
Plan for snow when you design the deck. Shovel it off the surface if you use the deck in winter, and keep plow banks and roof slides away from the edges. Wet snow weighs more than people expect, and a deck sized for summer furniture may not carry a deep pack. Tell us how you use the deck in winter, and we size it for that.
Questions to ask before you build
- Will you shovel the deck in winter?
- Where does snow slide from the roof?
- Does the deck need stairs on a slope or a ramp?
- Do you want a roof or a screened section?
- How high does the deck sit above ground?
Height and a roof both change the permit question. Send your answers and photos to (705) 238-8634, and we check what applies.
Footings and frost
Frost heaves footings that sit too shallow. In this region, footings go about 1.2 m (4 ft) down, and the building official confirms the requirement. A deck attached to the house needs footings that move with the house, or the ledger takes the strain. We plan the footings for both the ground and the connection.
Railings, guards and stairs
The Ontario Building Code requires a guard on a deck with a drop of more than 600 mm to the ground. The guard has to resist the load of a person leaning on it, and the openings must stop a child from passing through. Stairs need steps of consistent height and depth and a handrail where required.
Those rules protect people. We build guards and stairs to meet them, and we fasten posts into the framing and never rely on the decking to hold them. A railing bolted to a deck board can fail under load. Tell us how many people use the deck, and whether children or older relatives visit.
Communities we reach near Almaguin Highlands
The Almaguin Highlands start at our door. Road distances from Sprucedale:
| Community | Road km from Sprucedale |
|---|---|
| Emsdale | 15 km |
| Katrine | 17 km |
| Burk's Falls | 24 km |
| Kearney | 24 km |
| Novar | 25 km |
| Sundridge | 42 km |
| Magnetawan | 48 km |
| South River | 53 km |
How far we travel
Emsdale is 15 km from our base in Sprucedale, Katrine 17 km, Burk's Falls and Kearney 24 km, Novar 25 km, Sundridge 42 km, Magnetawan 48 km and South River 53 km. Read the main deck page for choices and the full process.
Questions about decks in Almaguin Highlands
How do you build a deck for heavy snow?
We size posts, beams and joists for the load, set footings below frost and flash the ledger so meltwater does not run behind it.
Do you build porches and entry stairs?
Yes. We build decks, stairs and railings, and we plan snow slide from the roof away from the entry.
Can you repair my old deck instead of rebuilding?
Often yes. We inspect the footings, framing and ledger, then tell you whether the deck needs new boards or a rebuild.
Do you build decks for rental properties?
Yes. We take contracts from owners and property managers.
Keep reading
Decks in other areas
More work in Almaguin Highlands
- Siding in Almaguin Highlands
- Rot repair in Almaguin Highlands
- Roofing in Almaguin Highlands
- Renovations in Almaguin Highlands
Request a free quote or call (705) 238-8634. Page updated October 27, 2026.