BUILT BENEATH THE SURFACE. DESIGNED TO LAST.

Why the frame matters

Composite boards don't rot. A wood frame underneath can. In Ontario's freeze–thaw, pressure-treated lumber shrinks, twists and eventually decays, and when the frame moves, the deck surface moves with it. If you're paying for low-maintenance boards, the frame should last as long as they do.

What is Fortress Evolution steel?

Fortress Evolution is a light-gauge steel framing system for decks: joists, beams and posts in powder-coated steel. Every beam we install is checked against Fortress's sealed span tables. Warranty: a 25-year limited, prorated manufacturer warranty (not lifetime).

Steel vs pressure-treated framing

Rot, twist, shrink: pressure-treated wood can do all three over time, while steel won't rot, twist or shrink. Flatness: a wood frame can change as the wood moves, while steel stays dimensionally stable. Spans: wood spans are shorter and need more posts, while steel spans longer with fewer posts and piles. Look from below: wood versus finished black steel. Best match: pressure-treated suits budget composite lines; steel suits premium composite such as Deckorators Voyage.

When steel makes the most sense

• Under premium composite like Deckorators Voyage (our recommendation)

• Raised and second-storey decks, where longer spans remove posts. On one Barrie deck, steel let the beam span the full 18 feet between corner posts, so the middle post and its pile came out and the patio below stayed open.

• Sloped lots and multi-level builds

• Lakefront and high-moisture sites

Steel isn't the right call for every project. On a simple low deck with budget boards, a well-built pressure-treated frame can be fine.

Steel + helical piles

We pair steel frames with helical piles, which resist frost heave and limit excavation. That suits sloped lots, variable soil and gardens you want left alone.

Our steel-frame experience

We've installed about 100 steel-frame structures over the last six years and held the first Fortress Evolution steel framing masterclass in North America with Fortress. Simcoe Decks is a Deckorators Certified Elite contractor with 10+ years in business, and we build composite decks only.

Steel framing FAQ

Is steel deck framing worth it?

Under premium composite, usually yes: steel won't rot, twist or shrink, so the deck surface stays flat as long as the boards last. On simple low decks with budget boards, pressure-treated framing can be enough.

Can steel framing span further than wood?

Yes. On one Barrie second-storey deck, a steel beam spanned 18 feet between corner posts where wood needed a middle post.

Can I put Trex or TimberTech on a steel frame?

Yes, they're available on request. Deckorators is our recommended and most-installed brand.

How much does a steel-frame deck cost?

Get in touch online to receive your free custom pricing configurator, and compare steel and pressure-treated framing.

Get in touch online to receive your free custom pricing configurator, sent within one day of receiving your info. Call (705) 300-2903.