Materials Built for Alberta
Every material Green Ladder specifies is chosen for one reason: it performs in Alberta's climate for decades, not years. Here's what we use and why.
Why Composite Over Everything Else
Cheap builds fail in Alberta winters. A $12,000 pressure-treated deck that needs replacing in 10 years costs more than a $28,000 composite deck that lasts 40.
| Composite | Vinyl / PVC | Pressure-Treated Wood | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 25-50 years | 10-20 years | 10-15 years |
| Annual maintenance | Soap & water | Soap & water | Annual stain/seal |
| Chemical treatments | None | None | Required (PT lumber) |
| Appearance at year 10 | Like new | Fading, chalking | Greyed, splitting |
| Warranty | 25-50 years | 10-15 years | None |
| Total 20-year cost | Lower | Medium | Highest (replacement) |
The Brands We Specify
We don't use whatever's cheapest. We spec what performs.
Eva-Last
Sustainably grown. Built for decades.
Primary composite spec for most Green Ladder projects.
Eva-Last uses stranded bamboo, a crop that regenerates in 3-5 years compared to 25-80 years for timber, combined with a polymer core manufactured using solar power. The result is a composite that is harder than most hardwoods, dimensionally stable in Alberta freeze-thaw cycles, and warrantied for 30-50 years residential use.
- ✓3 product lines: Pioneer, Apex, Infinity
- ✓Infinity Series: ultra-durable capped bamboo composite
- ✓30-50 year residential warranty
- ✓Solar-powered manufacturing
- ✓Rapidly renewable bamboo core (3-5 year harvest)
TimberTech
The broadest range of premium composite decking in Canada.
Broadest selection for matching specific project aesthetics.
TimberTech offers one of the widest product ranges in the composite category, from entry-level capped composite to ultra-premium PVC-capped boards with industry-leading fade and stain warranties. Their products are engineered for Canadian climate conditions and their ProTect Advantage line is one of the most trusted composites in the Alberta market.
- ✓Multiple lines: Terrain, Legacy, Vintage, Landmark
- ✓30-year fade & stain warranty on premium lines
- ✓Slip-resistant surface profiles
- ✓Full coordinated accessory system (trim, fascia, railing)
- ✓TimberTech Pro installer network
TruNorth
Made in Canada. Rice hull + recycled plastic. Built for here.
Our Canadian-made recommendation for sustainability-focused projects.
TruNorth is manufactured in Brantford, Ontario, the only major composite decking brand that is genuinely Canadian-made. Their boards use rice hull fibre (an agricultural byproduct) combined with recycled plastics, eliminating wood fibre entirely and removing the chemical treatments required by pressure-treated timber.
- ✓Made in Brantford, Ontario
- ✓Rice hull fibre + recycled plastic composition
- ✓No wood fibre; eliminates rot and mould risk
- ✓No chemical preservatives entering Alberta soil
- ✓25-year residential warranty
Azek
For clients where heat or extreme moisture are primary concerns.
Recommended for high-heat or high-moisture applications.
Azek is a cellular PVC product with no wood content at all. It stays up to 30 degrees cooler than competing composite products in direct sun, making it the right call for south-facing decks with full afternoon exposure. It's also the most moisture-resistant option available for hot tub surrounds and areas with standing water risk.
- ✓Cellular PVC, zero wood content
- ✓Up to 30° cooler than competing composites
- ✓Ideal for south-facing and high-sun exposures
- ✓Best choice for hot tub surrounds and water-exposed areas
- ✓30-year limited warranty
Deckorators
Mineral-based composite technology for extreme durability.
Strong option for projects with high moisture exposure, drainage concerns, or extreme temperature swings.
Deckorators' Voyage series uses patented mineral-based composite (stone-polymer) technology with zero organic material. It cannot rot even in direct ground or water contact, is 25% lighter than traditional composites, and has virtually no thermal expansion or contraction, a significant advantage in Alberta's temperature extremes. Their traditional wood-plastic composite line (Vault) is available for clients who want the classic composite look at a lower price point.
- ✓Voyage Series: mineral-based composite, zero organic material
- ✓25% lighter than traditional composites
- ✓Virtually no thermal expansion in Alberta temperature swings
- ✓34% greater surface traction than leading competitors
- ✓25-year wear warranty + 50-year structural warranty
Fiberon
Four tiers. Every budget. Consistent performance.
Best choice when matching a specific budget to composite performance.
Fiberon offers the most flexible tiered lineup in composite decking, making it the strongest choice for homeowners who want composite performance but need to match a specific budget. Every tier is capped and warrantied. The premium Concordia line carries a Lifetime performance warranty with 50-year fade and stain protection. The entry-level Good Life line starts the composite conversation at a lower price point without compromising structural quality.
- ✓Concordia: Lifetime + 50-year fade/stain warranty
- ✓Sanctuary: 40-year warranty, 95% recycled content
- ✓Good Life Multi: 30-year warranty, exotic hardwood look
- ✓Good Life Mono: 25-year warranty, budget-friendly entry point
- ✓Full railing and trim accessory system
TivaDek
Carbon nanotechnology core. ASA capstock. Built to last.
Premium PVC option for clients who want a modern, architectural aesthetic with maximum durability.
TivaDek is a Canadian-designed PVC decking system with a carbon nanotechnology reinforced core and ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) capstock, a unique combination that delivers exceptional structural strength and long-term colour retention in UV exposure. It uses a hidden Cortex fastening system for a completely screw-free surface, and its fascia boards are among the thickest on the PVC market.
- ✓Carbon nanotechnology core for superior structural performance
- ✓ASA capstock for heat resistance and colour retention
- ✓Hidden Cortex fastening system, fully screw-free surface
- ✓Thickest fascia boards in the PVC category
- ✓Limited Lifetime Warranty (50-year residential)
The Frame Under the Boards
Material choice is only half of a deck. The other half is the structure nobody photographs, because it is covered up within days of going in.
The load path, board to footing
A section cut the way the joists run, from the house out to the outer edge.
The same frame from above
Joist spacing and blocking only exist in plan. This is the view no homeowner ever gets, because the boards go down on top of it the same week.
Want us to recommend the right material for your project?
Every design consultation includes a full materials recommendation built for your specific project, budget, and exposure conditions.