Decking Calculator

The decking calculator helps to estimate the material and the total cost required to resurface or construct a deck. Reduces the likelihood of overordering.

This calculator is solely designed to help you in the planning and execution of your deck construction project. Plan with precision, and ensure a cost-effective deck construction.

Keep in mind that the decking material and the per-deck cost vary according to the specific requirements of the user.

What Are The Components of The Deck?

These are components of the decks and let’s look at the various components to construct a deck.

Post:

Posts are vertical framing support for the beam and joist of the deck. The post bears the load of the deck.

Beam:

The horizontal support structure for the deck frame. It is necessary to place the post beneath the joist.

Joist:

The horizontal supporting board beneath the decking is the joists. They are the structural base of the deck ledger.

Deck Flooring:

The deck flooring does include the number of layers of the deck on the joist. Wood and composite decking are the most popular outdoor flooring.

Fastener:

Fasteners do include nails, screws, and different fasteners are needed to keep the component of the deck together.

Decking Material Types:

In the following table, we have provided the types of materials that are available for decking along with their availability and advantages and disadvantages.

Decking Material	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages
Pressure-Treated Wood	Treated with chemicals to resist rot and insects.	Affordable, readily available.	Requires regular maintenance and sealing. Prone to warping and splintering.
Cedar & Redwood	Naturally resistant to decay and insects.	Attractive appearance. Resists decay.	Higher initial cost. May require maintenance. Limited availability in some areas.
Tropical Hardwood (e.g., Ipe)	Extremely durable and long-lasting.	Exceptional durability. Low maintenance.	Expensive. Hard to work with. Can be heavy.
Composite Decking	Made of a blend of wood fibers and plastic.	Low maintenance. Resistant to rot and insects.	Higher upfront cost. Can get hot in direct sunlight. Appearance may vary.
PVC Decking	Made of rigid PVC material.	Low maintenance. Resistant to moisture and insects.	Higher cost. Can be prone to fading or staining. Limited color options.
Aluminum Decking	Made of lightweight, rust-resistant aluminum.	Low maintenance. Extremely durable.	Can be hot to the touch in direct sun. Limited aesthetics.
Bamboo Decking	Made from sustainable bamboo.	Eco-friendly. Unique appearance.	Not as durable as some other materials. May require more maintenance.
Composite Bamboo Decking	Combines bamboo fibers with recycled plastic.	Durable. Low maintenance. Eco-friendly.	May require more support. Limited availability.
Concrete	Can be poured as a solid surface or used with pavers.	Durable and long-lasting. Customizable.	May require professional installation. Surface can be hard.
Stone or Tile	Natural stone or porcelain tiles.	Durable. Elegant appearance.	Expensive. Installation can be complex. Slippery when wet.

How To Calculate The Deck Footage?

Follow the below-mentioned steps:

First of all, measure the length and width of the deck
Find the total area of the deck
Measure the length and width of the decking board
Now put these values in the decking formula and divide the deck area by the area of the decking board while adding 10%(multiply by 1.1) for waste to find the number of decking boards required for your deck as we have done in the following example.

Example:

Suppose I want to build a small rectangular deck in my backyard. The dimensions of the deck are 12 feet in length and 8 feet in width. The wood decking boards are 10 ft in length and 6 inches in width. The price of decking board is $5 and the price of screw packs is $200. how many deck boards do I need and how much it will cost?

Solution:

The deck measurements are:

Length = 12 feet
Width = 8 feet

Decking board size:

Width = 6 inches
Length = 10 ft

Finding the number of decking boards required:

Convert inches to feet by dividing with 12 to calculate deck boards:

Width of board = 6/12 = 0.5 ft

Deck Area = Width x Length = 12 x 8 = 96 ft²

Decking Board Area = Width x Length = 0.5 x 10 = 5

Number of Deck Boards = Deck Area/Decking Board Area x 1.1

Number of Decking Boards = 21.12

Number of Decking Boards = 22

Calculating the number of screws (or nails):

According to the rule of thumb 350 screws are required for every 100 square feet

1 square foot = 350/100 = 3.5 screws

Multiply the square footage of the decking board by 3.5 or 7/2

Numbre of screws = 3.5 x 96 = 336

For hidden fasteners:

Multiply the square footage of the decking board by half of 3.5 or 7/2

Hidden Fasteners = 1.75 x 96 = 168

Calculating the cost of decking boards:

Determine the cost of each board and multiply it by the number of decking boards

Decking Boards Cost = Price per board x number of boards

Decking Boards Cost = 5 x 22 = $110

Calculating the total cost:

Total Cost = Cost of decking boards + price of screw packs

Total Cost = 110 + 200 = $310

Use a deck material calculator to perform all of these calculations with ease. With it, you can perform the deck estimate swiftly.

What Are Common Deck Board Sizes?

The most common size is 1×6. In this case, the actual thickness of the board can be ¾ – 1 net by a net width of 5-¼” to 5-½

Other common nominal sizes are:

1×4
2×6
2×8

What Materials Do I Need For Decking?

It mainly depends upon the availability of the material, your budget, and aesthetics. There are several options to choose from and below we have mentioned a few of them:

Pressure-treated lumber
Composite decking
PVC decking
Exotic hardwoods (such as Ipe, Tigerwood, and Mahogany)
Framing lumber — such as Cedar, Pine, Fir, or Spruce.
Tape measure (25’ or higher)
Digger (for larger areas)
Hammer
Power nailer/nail gun