How to Protect Your Deck & Fence from Harsh Canadian Winters

The magic of the first snowfall, cozy nights inside, and many warm drinks – all beautiful parts of Canadian winters. Homeowners also know that these same beautiful winters can be harsh, especially on outdoor wooden surfaces such as decks and fences. Untreated wood is under direct attack from the heavy snowfalls, buildup of ice, and rapid freeze-thaw cycles. When leaving wood unprotected – even the best quality – can cause cracking, warping, fading, or rotting. This leaves you with costly repairs, or even needing to replace your fence or deck way earlier than originally expected.

Your deck and fence can survive strong Canadian winters with the right protection measures put into place. The following guide will help you understand how to keep your fence or deck looking beautiful and protected year after year. Let’s talk about all the questions you may have – why wood suffers in the winter, what protection steps you can take, and the best products to use in Ontario’s crazy climates to maintain and save you money over time.

Why Winter is so Tough on Wood

In Ontario, temperatures often swing dramatically within hours causing the challenges to increase. Wood is a natural material full of pores that cause it to expand, contract, and absorb moisture. Due to these qualities, wood becomes extremely vulnerable in extreme weather conditions.

1. Moisture and Freeze-Thaw Cycles

When melting snow or rainwater sits on and around your deck and fence, it begins to soak deep into the woods’ fibers. Temperatures then drop below freezing, the water that has seeped in turns into ice which expands and becomes trapped. This causes microscopic cracks, which over time expand and lead to splintering and structural weakness.

2. Salt and Ice Melt Products

During the winter, we often fear having ice and snow on our walkways and driveways which include wooden porches and decks. Homeowners typically use salt or chemical de-icers to manage the ice on and around these areas causing stains, corrosion or nails and screws, and further weakens the fibers of the wood.

3. Constant Expansion and Contraction

Naturally, wood expands when wet and contacts when dry. With constant cycles in Canadian winters including rain, snow, melting, and freezing over and over (sometimes all in one week) this causes constant stress on the boards leading to warping, cupping, or loosening of fasteners.

4. UV Damage in Winter

UV rays are more than just a summer problem. Sunlight reflects off the snow, causing just as much damage as the blistering summer heat. Results of the year-round UV exposure include faded, gray, and brittle boards.

Steps to Protect Your Deck & Fence

Now that you know all the factors that play into ruining your fence and decks faster, let’s take a look into how to protect your investment. Proper care is a combination of both preventive measures before the winter begins and habits you can develop to continue the protection throughout the winter months.

1. Clean Thoroughly

Before you begin applying anything to protect your deck or fence, the wood needs to be clean and spotless. Throughout the warmer months, your deck or fence will gain a buildup of mildew, dirt, or old stains that can cause new treatments to repel.

Decks: Using a power washer on a medium setting, you can go over the deck to ensure all buildup has been removed. You want to ensure the power washer isn’t on a super high setting, so the wood doesn’t become damaged. Use a stiff-bristle brush and wood cleaner on stubborn spots.

Fences: Using a cleaner solution and a stiff-bristled brush, scrub your fence focusing on the bottom sections where mud splashes and salt accumulates.

Allow your deck or fence to fully dry (at least 48 hours) after cleaning so the wood can become fully dry before sealing.

2. Inspect & Repair

Once your surface is clean and fully dried, complete a detailed inspection. Here’s what you should be looking for:

• Loose nails, screws, or fasteners (tighten or replace with corrosion-resistant hardware)

• Small cracks (fill with exterior-grade wood filler)

• Rotted or split boards (replace entirely – sealing won’t save them)

• Wobbly posts (reinforce with concrete or brackets)

Spending time making proper repairs with quality products each fall will save you from further issues in the spring months.

3. Seal or Stain

As the most important step, seal or stain creates a protective barrier. Ensure you are using a high-quality seal or stain to protect against moisture and UV rays and reduce the need for re-application.

• Clear Sealers: Perfect for new wood, enhancing the look of natural wood while giving it a beautiful shine. Unfortunately, going this route often means reapplication every year.

• Semi-Transparent Stains: While still giving the natural wood look, adding some pigment creates UV protection which is the perfect balance for most people.

• Solid Stains: By picking a solid option, you get the protection almost like paint. This is the perfect look for older decks and fences that need a refresh but don’t have the same look as new wood.

Enduring ever-changing climates in Ontario, homeowners usually lead towards semi-transparent or solid stains because they fit both the aesthetic and provide durability without needing reapplication year after year.

When applying stain with a brush or sprayer, you should work in the same direction as the grain. Ensure you apply two thinner coats rather than one thick one to complete an even covered look.

4. Cover Where Possible

Although covering the entire surface isn’t necessarily possible, reducing exposure in crucial areas is a great step to take to protect your surfaces. This may look like:

• using breathable outdoor covers for deck furniture

• laying down outdoor rugs – especially in high traffic areas – to minimize salt damage

• consider temporary barriers such a clear poly sheeting in small sections of fencing near salted walkways to reduce splash back

5. Clear Snow Safely

Ensuring you are using safe snow removal practices is just as important as ensuring the snow is removed. Try things like using a plastic shovel instead of metal to reduce possible damage to wood, pushing the snow off rather than chopping away at the ice, and avoid using salt on and around wooden area – try using cat litter for traction instead!

Best Products for Ontario Winters

You may think you are applying the right products, but there are some things you should specifically look out for when purchasing. Looking for products that are suited for cold, damp climates is important. A few popular product categories include:

• Oil-Based Stains: deep penetration, anti-cracking and warping, natural look, long-term performance, and moisture and rot protection.

• Water-Based Stains: versatile finishes, UV protection, mildew resistant, durable, and professional standards.

• Hybrid Formulas: Combines the deep penetration, environmentally friendly, fast drying, and durable protection.

Features to Look For:

• UV blockers

• Mildew-resistant additives

• Flexible finish that expands/contracts with the wood

• Minimum 2-3 years of protection between applications

Some high-quality brands in Canada include Benjamin Moore Woodluxe, Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck, and Cutek.

Find out more about these products on our Services page.

Extra Tips for Long-Term Protection

• Regular Reapplication: Instead of waiting until the wood begins to look bad, stick to the maintenance instructions listed on the products you are using.

• Elevate Furniture: Using plastic or rubber pads under your deck furniture can prevent scratching and trapping of moisture.

• Trim Landscaping: Ensuring you are maintaining the landscaping around decks and fences by keeping grass and bushes trimmed back to allow airflow and reduce the risk of rotting wood.

• Ventilation Matters: If your deck is built low to the ground, ensure there is airflow beneath to provide a place for moisture to escape and prevent moisture from building up.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make

Even when completing all the necessary steps, many homeowners miss the important details that can shorten the lifespan of their deck and fence:

• Applying stain too late in the season can cause it to not cure properly – temperatures should be 10-12 degrees C for full curing.

• Painting over the wood may seem like the best way to fix the look of your wood, but it does not penetrate the wood the way stains do. When painting, it begins to peel and doesn’t create the best protection for your wood surfaces.

• Skipping prep work is one of the biggest mistakes that can cause the stain to not adhere and fail to protect your fence and deck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Having a deck and fence is so much more than just being functional. These aspects add value to your property and provide curb-appeal factors. There is no changing Canadian winters as they will always be harsh, so giving your surfaces the right preparation, using quality products, and maybe even hiring a professional team, you can protect your wood surfaces so they stay strong and looking flawless.