Building a Deck in the Winter

Reasons to build your deck in the winter

Are you building a deck in the winter? That’s actually not so preposterous! Why is that? There are several reasons to build – a lot of it has to do with timing, temperatures, and treating your timber. Building a deck in the off-season, like winter, means several aspects will be much easier. Also, believe it or not, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. Here are some compelling and unexpected reasons why cold weather is perfect for deck building.

Save money on labour and decking material

The winter months are the ideal time to start your building project. Both deck materials and labour will be less expensive during this time. Additionally, there are likely some deals to be had with timber and other building materials. Any necessary permits can also be obtained beforehand in plenty of time.  

Contractor availability

Finding a deck contractor during the cold weather will be easier as there is less work for most contractors in the winter. Because of this, it could possibly be less expensive when starting your deck construction – and who doesn’t like that?

Optimal curing conditions for a new deck

If you’re building your deck out of natural wood, like timber, the winter is truly the best time to cure it. Your new deck, whether it’s composite decking or timber, has a pressure-treated wood base and footings. The moisture stored in these parts needs time to cure, and the winter months are ideal.

Minimal damage to your landscaping

When installing a deck, your ground and landscaping can take quite a beating, so the winter weather means that it’s the best time of year to mitigate any damage to your grass. The ground is more solid, and it’s easier to install and build decks. In addition, your grass will likely be a little more forgiving and will start growing again by the spring. Finally, we all enjoy some greenery around our outdoor seating areas!

Minimal chances of splitting and twisting of wood

The warmer weather often brings more sunlight, which can warp timber. Direct sunlight can be very detrimental, as it causes cracking, splitting, and twisting. The summer months are often more humid too, which impedes the timber from settling, as most wood material will swell in warmer temperatures.

Easy to stain

Though most homeowners may think the best time to build and stain a deck would be in the spring or fall, with milder temperatures (often ranging from 10° to 30° Celsius), winter is a good time to stain. Why is this? The cold weather is less humid, providing more timber stability. Therefore, there’s less chance of cracking or rotting, thus giving a more even stain.  

New deck ready to use by spring

This is the best part! Soon, the weather will be nice, and the sun is coming out more often. You and your family want fun in the sun. Building your deck project before the spring will be ready and set for summer (and potentially spring) enjoyment! You will be loving life in the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Still, have a few questions? We encourage you to compare and contrast types of decks, the seasons, and the deck-building process. You have fewer restrictions with composite decks, yet remember the base of the composite deck is made of timber. Here are some answers to a few frequently asked questions.

What time of year is best to build the deck?

Although the summer months make more sense, think about getting a jump on your deck-building plans in the winter. The autumn is good, but winter is often the right time to build your deck. All the reasons listed above and the sheer anticipation of using it once the weather warms up are all great reasons.

Do decking boards expand in winter?

With the sun and warmer temperatures comes humidity. Humidity is definitely not your deck’s friend. Humidity and moisture that is trapped in the timber frame and boards can cause warping. During cooler temperatures in the winter months, your timber will not expand; it will stabilize in the colder months, especially if protected properly. This further proves that your deck project is best done in winter.      

What problems can you face building a deck in winter?

There really are just a few issues to be concerned about in winter. The main thing would be, of course, snow. But, besides snow, some frigid temperatures could make it difficult to work, causing a delay. Other than that, consider building your deck in the winter. This is a great gift you can give yourself and your family – imagine enjoying refreshments on your new deck in the spring!