The composite decking lineup, mapped.

Both can last decades when installed correctly. Capped composite uses a wood-fibre or bamboo-fibre core wrapped in a PVC cap — proven track record (15–25 years of real Canadian field data on Trex/Fiberon, less on Eva-Last bamboo). Capped polymer (cellular PVC) uses no organic fibre at all — no swelling, no moisture absorption, runs cooler in full sun, but premium price. PVC tiers we stock: Fiberon Paramount + Promenade, Trex Refuge (special order). For most Prairie homeowners, mid-to-premium capped composite is the best total value; PVC is the right answer when full sun + dark colours + zero-organic-content matters most.

Composite = organic fibre (wood flour or bamboo) + plastic + cap. PVC = pure plastic, no organic fibre, with a cap. The trade-off: composite is denser, feels closer to real wood, generally costs less. PVC is lighter, runs cooler in full sun, won't absorb moisture under any circumstance — but costs more and reads more 'plastic' to some buyers. For pool decks, hot tubs, full-sun south-facing builds, PVC has a real edge. For everything else, premium capped composite is usually the better value. We carry both at TUDS.

Use the deck cost calculator above — it reads live Shopify variant prices for the boards we stock, so the number is always current. Quick ranges (material only, 12-ft grooved boards, before fasteners + framing + labour): Entry tier $4.50–$6.00 per board. Mid-tier $5.50–$8.00. Premium $6.60–$9.00. Flagship/luxury $8.80–$13.00. Total project cost in Saskatchewan also depends on framing (steel vs PT lumber), fasteners (hidden-clip vs face-screw), railing, lighting, and whether you're doing it yourself or using a pro. Get an instant estimate for your project's total number.

TUDS doesn't operate in-house build crews — we're the supplier, not the contractor. What we do: connect you with vetted prairie deck builders (Managed Install network) if you want a turnkey project, or supply the materials + design support + spec sheets if you're building yourself or with your own contractor (Assisted DIY). Either way, the price you pay is the same — we don't mark up materials when an outside builder is involved. Call either store and tell us where the project is; we'll point you at the right help.

On 20-year carrying cost, yes — by a meaningful margin. Pressure-treated wood is cheapest upfront (typically $2–$3 per board for 5/4×6 PT) but requires stain-and-seal every 2–3 years, splinters as it ages, and most prairie PT decks are torn out at 10–15 years. Composite is 2–3× the upfront material cost but has no refinish cycle — you rinse it, that's it. Real-world prairie 20-year math (320 sq-ft deck): PT decks usually need 6–8 refinish-or-replace cycles; composite needs zero. The break-even is usually around year 7–9. See the comparison table above for the full breakdown.

Most Saskatchewan composite dealers carry one brand and recommend it for everything. Saskatoon Deck Shop carries Fiberon. The Trex-only dealers in town only sell Trex. We carry all four major composite brands — Eva-Last, Trex, Fiberon, Deckorators — under one roof in Saskatoon and Regina, which means our recommendation is honest: we'll tell you Fiberon when Fiberon fits, Deckorators when the spec calls for mineral-core, Eva-Last when you want bamboo-PVC, Trex when brand recognition matters. No upsell theatre, no 'whatever we have on the shelf.' Plus 10,000+ Prairie customers since 2016, both stores open year-round.

Yes — we ship LTL freight across western Canada. Most of Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Lethbridge, and the smaller Alberta + Manitoba towns are inside our regular freight network. Eva-Last especially is rare in most of the country — TUDS is one of the few authorized dealers west of Toronto, so if you're cross-shopping it from Calgary or Winnipeg you might be buying it from us anyway. Call either store with your address and a board count for a real freight quote.

For WUI (wildland-urban interface) compliance, the answer is usually a cellular PVC like Trex Refuge (special order) or Fiberon Paramount/Promenade PVC. Some capped composites — Trex Select 2.0, certain Eva-Last tiers — also carry WUI ratings on specific colours. For confirmation on your specific build code, call either store and tell us your jurisdiction; we'll check the latest TDS for the tier you're considering.