The deck-building season in New Brunswick doesn't wait for the snow to fully melt — and neither do we. Our first custom deck of 2026 wrapped this week in Riverview, and we're really happy with how it came together.
Here's a walk-through of the build, what we used, and why this one was a great way to start the season.
The brief
The clients have a beautiful two-storey home with classic black shutters and white siding, and the back of the house was previously a tired little step-out platform — basically a glorified landing. They wanted something that actually worked: enough room to entertain, a defined dining zone, a privacy screen to break the sightline from the neighbouring driveway, and a clean look that matched the home's traditional exterior without going overboard.
And, importantly: they wanted to be using it by May long weekend. Early-season build, tight timeline.
What we built
- Decking: Premium pressure-treated lumber with a picture-frame border for a clean perimeter line
- Frame: Engineered for New Brunswick snow loads with full ledger flashing against the home
- Footings: Helical piles — the right call for an early-season build (more on that below)
- Railings: Black aluminum balusters with pressure-treated top and bottom rails — modern look, classic warmth
- Privacy feature: Custom horizontal-louver privacy wall on the side closest to the driveway, sized to break the line of sight without blocking the afternoon light
- Stairs: Centred run with picture-frame matching, full-depth stringers
Pouring concrete footings in March/early April in Greater Moncton is a problem — the ground is still frozen below the surface, and you're fighting frost and curing times. Helical piles screw past the frost line in minutes, are immediately load-bearing, and let us start framing the same day. They're the unsung hero of every early-season deck we build.
Drone view — the finished build
Built for New Brunswick weather, day one
A few details that don't show up in photos but matter for the life of the deck:
- Properly flashed ledger. Where the deck meets the house is the single most common failure point in NB decks. We pulled the relevant siding course, installed Z-flashing with peel-and-stick membrane, and re-clad it cleanly.
- Joist tape on every joist. Cheap insurance against the freeze-thaw moisture that destroys deck frames.
- Hot-dipped galvanized hardware throughout — properly rated for modern ACQ pressure-treated lumber.
- Hidden fasteners on the surface boards in the high-traffic zones for a smoother barefoot finish.
This is the kind of stuff that separates a deck that lasts 20+ years from one that needs board replacement at year 8. None of it shows. All of it matters.
One more shot
Thinking about a deck for 2026?
Our 2026 deck schedule is already filling. If you're considering a new deck, a rebuild, or a renovation on an existing structure, the best time to book a free on-site consultation is right now — early-season slots tend to go first, and material orders are smoother before the May rush.
If you want to dig deeper before reaching out, our cornerstone deck guides are a good starting point:
Or just book a free consultation and we'll come look at your space.