Top 3 Winter Deck Tips to Protect and Enjoy Your Deck All Season

Winter in Ottawa doesn’t mean your deck should be ignored. With the right care, a PVC or composite deck can stay safe, beautiful, and fully usable all winter long. At MyDeck.ca, we design low-maintenance decks built for Canadian winters — but proper winter care still matters.

Here are our Top 3 Winter Deck Tips to protect your investment and enjoy your outdoor space year-round.

1. Use Plastic Shovels — Never Metal

When clearing snow from your deck, tool choice matters.

DO: Use a plastic snow shovel
DON’T: Use a metal shovel

Metal shovels can easily scratch, gouge, or chip PVC and composite decking surfaces. Even small damage can compromise the deck’s appearance over time.

Plastic shovels are lightweight, effective, and gentle on deck boards — making them the safest option for winter snow removal.

Pro Tip: Shovel with the grain of the boards to further reduce surface wear.

2. Melt Ice Safely with Calcium Chloride

Ice buildup is common during freeze-thaw cycles, but removing it improperly can cause permanent damage.

DO: Use calcium chloride to melt ice
DON’T: Chip ice with metal tools or ice chippers

Ice chippers and sharp tools can crack or scar deck boards and railings. Calcium chloride works at lower temperatures than traditional rock salt and is far less abrasive on deck surfaces.

Apply sparingly and allow ice to melt naturally — patience protects your deck.

3. Get Outside and Enjoy Your Deck All Winter

Your deck isn’t just for summer.

DO: Get outside and enjoy your deck all winter
DON’T: Be a “Winter Grinch”

With proper lighting, winter-safe furniture, and fire features, your deck can be a cozy extension of your home year-round. Composite and PVC decking are designed to handle cold temperatures, snow, and moisture without warping or rotting.

Hot drinks, fresh air, and winter views make your deck one of the best spots at home — even in January.

Built for Winter, Designed for Life

At MyDeck.ca, we specialize in PVC and composite decks built for Ottawa’s climate. From low-maintenance materials to winter-ready construction, our decks are designed to look great in every season.

If you’re planning a new deck or upgrading an existing one, talk to Ottawa’s trusted deck specialists.

👉 Visit MyDeck.ca to learn more or book a consultation.

Or Visit Our MyDeck Ottawa GMB Page at : https://share.google/Ou0IPxfMKZERBGX7S