Decks & Fences | Cochrane
Deck & Fence Builders in Cochrane
Most Cochrane decks are built on a slope. Many homes here sit on hillside lots with walkout basements, so a typical backyard deck stands well above grade over a walkout, with a long run of stairs and a view toward the mountains that nobody wants hidden behind a heavy railing. Total Exteriors designs and builds decks and fences for exactly that kind of lot — posts and beams engineered to carry the height, guards that meet code without blocking the view, and fencing set deep enough to stay put when the west wind comes down the valley.
We take care of the Town of Cochrane permit and inspection process, replace the fences and decks storms have damaged, and rebuild the ones that were never engineered for their height in the first place. Our management team has spent more than 30 combined years working with homeowners and their insurers on exterior repairs across the Calgary area.
Cochrane Deck & Fence Services for Hillside and Walkout Lots
A raised deck on a hillside is a structure first and an outdoor room second. It carries people, snow load and wind several metres above the ground, and in Cochrane it does that through chinook cycles that freeze and thaw the footings again and again each winter. The build details you never see are the ones that matter most.
Our Cochrane deck and fence services include:
Raised and walkout deck design with Town of Cochrane permits
Composite and PVC decking installed with hidden fastening systems
Cedar and pressure-treated framing sized for tall hillside decks
Glass and aluminum railings that frame the mountain view
Wood, vinyl, and chain-link fencing set deep for valley winds
Emergency securing and temporary fencing after windstorms
Structural deck inspections, stair repairs, staining, and sealing
On raised decks we size posts, beams and bracing for the real height of the structure and set every footing below frost depth — the difference between a deck that feels solid underfoot and one that sways when a few people lean on the rail.
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Why Decks and Fences in Cochrane Wear Out Early
Most of the failures we see in Cochrane come back to height and wind. Tall decks built with undersized posts or no lateral bracing start to rack and loosen at the connections; stairs pull away from their stringers; guards that were marginal on day one become unsafe after a few winters. Fences suffer from strong westerly gusts funnelling through the valley — posts set too shallow lean, then snap, then take the panels down with them.
The Cochrane deck and fence problems we fix most often:
Chinook freeze-thaw cycles heaving footings and loosening connections
Rot in joists, beams, and stair stringers on older raised decks
Tall decks with swaying frames, loose guards, or unsafe stairs
If a repair genuinely covers it, you will hear that from us. If the posts or beams are undersized for the height, we will walk you through what we found and why a proper rebuild is the safer and, over time, cheaper route.
Decking, Railing & Fencing Materials for Cochrane Homes
On a hillside lot your railing matters as much as your decking — it is what you look through at the view every single day. Material also decides your maintenance load, and high, sun-exposed decks weather quickly. This is how the options really compare in Cochrane:
Pressure-treated lumber — affordable framing and decking, best kept sealed
Western red cedar — naturally rot-resistant with a warm, classic finish
Composite and PVC — no staining or sanding, resists fading on sunny decks
Aluminum, glass, and vinyl systems rated for strong wind and hail
We coordinate colours, railing profiles and fence styles with your house and with the architectural controls some Cochrane neighbourhoods apply to materials, colour and layout.
Storm Damage Claims for Cochrane Decks and Fences
Wind and hail damage to a deck or fence is easy to overlook when the same storm has also hit the roof — but a bent railing, a flattened fence section or hail-pitted decking is part of that same loss. Total Exteriors documents the entire exterior: photographs and measurements of every damaged structure, a written scope your adjuster can price, on-site meetings with your insurance representative, and an itemised estimate with a realistic schedule. If we are already handling your roof or siding claim, the deck and fence join the same file.
If the same storm marked the house, see our Cochrane siding and eavestrough repair pages. And if your deck or fence only needs a refresh, exterior painting in Cochrane covers staining and painting decks, fences and railings.
When a Cochrane Deck or Fence Needs Replacing
Many problems are worth repairing. These are the ones that usually are not:
- A raised deck that sways or bounces as people walk across it
- Posts that have shifted, leaned, or lifted out of their footings
- Stairs pulling away from the deck, or stringers starting to split
- Guards below 42 inches, or that move under a firm push
- Fence sections leaning downwind after every windstorm
On a deck several metres above a walkout, a loose guard or a failing connection is not a cosmetic issue. Have it checked before the next gathering, not after.
How We Build Your Cochrane Deck or Fence
Each project follows five clear stages, so you always know where things stand:
- A site visit to measure the slope, the height and what is there today
- Design, material and railing selection, and a fixed written quote
- The Town of Cochrane deck application and design form, prepared and submitted
- Utility locates and footings below frost depth, then framing, stairs and guards
- The Town’s final inspection with guards, handrails and stairs in place, then cleanup and warranty
The Town requires permits for new and renovated decks, plus a final inspection once every guard, handrail and stair is installed. We book it, meet the inspector, and do not call the job finished until it has passed.
Request a Free Deck & Fence Estimate in Cochrane
Whether you want a raised deck that finally does your view justice, need a fence line replaced after a windstorm, or are unsure your existing deck is safe at its height, we will come out and give you a straight assessment.
Free on-site estimates throughout Cochrane, honest repair-or-replace advice, and decks and fences built for foothills wind and hillside lots.
Cochrane Deck & Fence Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a deck in Cochrane?
In most cases, yes. The Town of Cochrane requires permits and inspections for new decks and for renovations to existing ones, and decks 24 inches or more above the ground must meet specific structural, handrail and guard requirements. The application includes a deck design form and supporting documents, and at least one final inspection is required once the guards, handrails and stairs are installed. We prepare the paperwork, submit it and book the inspection for you.
How long does a deck or fence project take in Cochrane?
A typical fence line takes one to two days. A deck usually takes three to seven working days on site after materials arrive, and tall hillside decks with long stair runs sit at the upper end of that range. Permit approval and inspection booking are the variables to plan around, so we build them into your schedule from the start.
Composite or wood — which suits a Cochrane deck?
For high, sun-exposed Cochrane decks, composite is usually the better long-term value: no staining, no sanding and no splinters on a surface you will use for years. Cedar is less expensive to install and naturally attractive, but expect to clean and reseal it every couple of seasons. Whichever you choose, pair it with a railing that suits the view — glass or slim aluminum pickets keep the mountains in sight.
Is hail or wind damage to my deck or fence covered?
Most Alberta homeowner policies cover decks and fences, though limits and depreciation vary by policy. When wind or hail has damaged them, we photograph and measure everything and give your adjuster the documentation needed to assess the claim — always worth doing, even when the roof took the bigger hit.
Do your Cochrane decks and fences come with a warranty?
Yes. All of our deck and fence work in Cochrane comes with a 5-year workmanship warranty, on top of the manufacturer warranties for composite decking, railing systems and vinyl fencing.
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