Structurally speaking, our northern neighbors don’t build decks or balconies much differently than here in the United States. But The Illustrated Guide for Building Safe and Durable Decks and Balconies – which was prepared by RDH Building Science Inc., for a non-profit group called BC Housing – pays considerably more attention to moisture management than its domestic counterpart, DCA 6 – The Prescriptive Residential Deck Construction Guide. Like the rest of the Pacific northwest, British Columbia has a fairly wet climate, so it makes sense that water-shedding details are included in the Illustrated Guide. Builders looking for best practices guidance for durable structures may find some useful information here.