Take into account any extra angles, nooks, crannies and staircases in your calculations. Step 1: Determine the Square Footage of the DeckĬalculate the overall length and width of your deck design. To know the total cost of the boards, we need to multiply the price of one board by the total number of boards.Let's get started with these eight easy steps. In this case, the hidden fasteners we need are available in a pack of 500. If you go for hidden fasteners, you'll need half the number of the screws: The closest number our distributor offers in a pack is 1000, and its price is $98. To know the number of screws, multiply the square footage of your deck by 7/2:Ĭhoose a pack with the number of screws closest to the value we calculated (remember you need to have more rather than less). That means that the number of screws is 3.5 times larger than the number of square feet of decking. If we divide those values by 100, we can say that we need 3.5 screws for 1 square foot. Let's round the result up (it's better to have more than less) – we'll need 72 boards.įor calculating the number of screws (or nails) needed, we follow the rule of thumb that you need 350 screws for every 100 square feet of decking.

We divide the deck square footage by the board square footage and add 10% to account for waste: Now, we can calculate the number of decking boards needed. Let's calculate the square footage of one decking board: Convert the width from inches to feet – simply divide the value by 12: You chose a board that is 8 ft long and 6 in wide. To calculate the square footage of the deck, multiply the two numbers together: Let's say you want a deck that is 20 ft long and 13 ft wide. If you want to know what equations the deck cost calculator uses or want to calculate the cost yourself, read the example below: Hidden fasteners – allow the creation of a smooth surface, but you'll need deck boards with a grooved edge of a size that is compatible with the clips. Nails – driving them is a bit faster, but if you do this incorrectly, you may mar the wood, and removing a nail is more difficult than removing a screw or Just don't forget to apply some waterproofing sealant to protect your plywood decking. Nevertheless, you can use our plywood calculator to help you with that. Looks and feels more artificial than composite andĪlternatively, you can go for plywood decking – it is cheap, fast, and easy to install, but you may have a problem with standing water, which can damage the deck. Less durable (prone to decay and rot) andĭoesn't need a stain or other protective finish. Needs maintenance (power-washing, restaining) Redwood and cedar are soft and easily damaged Įxotic hardwoods (teak, ipe) are more expensive than composite and are heavy and hard, which can make them unwieldy Redwood and cedar are lightweight and, at the same time, prone to rot and insects īest when you want to make the decking yourself Pressure-treated softwood (pine, fir, hemlock) is the cheapest option Here is a rough comparison of the materials:

Different types vary in looks, price, availability, need for maintenance, and resistance to rot, decay, and insects. To estimate how much it will cost to build a deck, you need to decide on the types of materials you are going to use.ĭeck flooring can be made of natural wood, synthetics, or composite (a mixture of plastic and wood). We would also recommend working on the ambiance – planting some flowers next to your deck or maybe building a pool to cool down in during hot summer days. In the following article, you will find information about the deck's components, the different types of decking materials, and instructions on using the deck cost calculator. The decking calculator can help you answer this question. A deck can be a great extension to your house and can bring more hygge into your life, but we'll stop with the romanticism – how much does it cost to build a deck? You have the space to take many of your activities outside and can even throw a terrace party for your family and friends. Imagine yourself sitting on a wooden porch on a warm, sunny Sunday morning, sipping tea, reading a book, and taking in those sweet summer smells. It is also a tool for estimating the cost of building a deck (mainly focusing on deck flooring). The decking calculator can help you determine the number of decking boards and fasteners needed.

16 ft trex boards