Deck Builder in Carleton Place, Lanark County & West Ottawa

Since 2020, Zanini Renovations has been building decks, deck stairs and landings from our base in Carleton Place for homeowners across Lanark County and Ottawa. We're fully insured, and owner Jonas Zanini is involved in every deck, from the first look at your yard to the last board.

Get a free estimate Call (647) 834-7570

Decks we build

Ground-level and floating decks. A low deck that sits close to the ground is often the simplest way to turn a patch of lawn or a muddy corner into usable outdoor space. On a floating deck in Kanata, we built a treated-lumber subframe with joist hangers and flashing tape on the bearing surfaces, set it on a compacted bed of 3/4 inch clear stone over weed barrier, and closed in the underside to keep animals out.

Landings and stairs off a back door. Plenty of homes need a safe way down from a patio door more than they need a big deck. In Carleton Place we built a landing on posts with metal post bases over concrete footings, with stairs down to a level pad of patio slabs and railings on both sides. See our staircases page for more stair work.

Add-ons to an existing deck. New stairs, railings, a landing or skirting to enclose the sides of a deck can all be added later. One client asked us to enclose all the sides of their new deck after the original contract was signed, and we added it to the job.

Small platforms and outdoor structures. We also build low platforms for sheds and gazebos, and related outdoor carpentry such as a covered catio for an Ottawa family's cats.

Choosing your decking material

There's no single best board. Each material trades upfront cost against upkeep:

• Pressure-treated lumber is the budget-friendly, most common choice. It needs regular staining and can crack or warp as it weathers.
• Cedar has natural oils that resist rot and insects and a warm, natural look, but it is soft, scratches easily and turns silvery grey if left untreated.
• Capped composite costs more upfront but needs far less maintenance. It is less stiff than wood, so we plan closer joist spacing into the frame.
• Solid PVC is the premium synthetic option with the most moisture resistance. It moves more with heat, so the framing needs extra care.

Our decking showdown compares all four in detail, including slip, flex and heat tests. On wood decks, hidden side fasteners can help the boards last longer because there are no screw holes in the face for water to sit in.

Railings finish a deck and keep it safe. We'll go through railing styles and materials at the estimate and pick what suits your deck and your house.

Footings, framing and permits

A deck is only as good as what's underneath it: solid footings, proper connectors and hangers, and framing protected where moisture collects. The frame is the part you never see once the boards are down, so it's where we take the most care. Our work in Ontario is done to the Ontario Building Code (O.Reg. 332/12).

Whether your deck needs a building permit depends on its height, size and whether it attaches to the house, and every municipality sets its own rules. The City of Ottawa, the Town of Carleton Place, Mississippi Mills, Beckwith and Perth each have their own building department, so it's worth checking early. We can help with the permit application as an optional add-on, quoted separately, or you're welcome to handle the permit yourself.

Call before you dig: utility locates are required before any footing or post hole goes in. In Ontario, locates are requested through Ontario One Call.

How a deck project works

1. You get in touch with a few photos and a rough idea of size and use.
2. Site visit. We look at the yard, the grade, access and any existing structure.
3. Written estimate in Canadian dollars, either labour-only or with materials included, with the scope spelled out before work starts.
4. Materials. We order the lumber and hardware, or work with materials you've chosen.
5. The build. Layout, footings, framing, decking, stairs and railings, all done by us.
6. Cleanup and walkthrough before we call it done.

You'll get a schedule with your quote. Our workmanship is covered by the one-year limited warranty on our warranty page; decking boards and other materials carry their manufacturer's warranty.

Why hire Zanini Renovations for your deck

You deal directly with the owner, Jonas Zanini, from the estimate to the final walkthrough. Questions while the deck is going up get answered by the person who knows the job. Zanini Renovations is fully insured, and we're happy to share our certificate of insurance before we start.

Where we build decks

Most of our deck work is close to home in Carleton Place, Beckwith and Franktown, and out to Almonte, Pakenham and the rest of Mississippi Mills. We also build in Perth, Smiths Falls, Lanark Highlands and across Lanark County, in Arnprior, and in west and south Ottawa: Kanata, Stittsville, Carp, Ashton, Richmond, Nepean, Barrhaven, Manotick and Riverside South. We travel to Gatineau too.