How do I calculate my deck?

The first step for answering “how to calculate how much decking I need” is to determine your deck's square footage, or area, by taking the length of your deck times the width (L x W). EXAMPLE: For a deck that is 16 feet long and 12 feet wide, multiply 16 by 12. This gives you 192 square feet, your deck's total area.

How many deck boards do I need for a 12x12 deck?

According to Home Depot (opens in new tab), you need 29 12ft long deck boards for a 12x12 deck. However, we would always advise you do your calculations carefully yourself before buying.

How many square feet is a 12x12 deck?

Calculate the square footage of the deck: 12 ft × 12 ft = 144 ft². Choose the size of a single decking board, e.g., 8 ft long and 0.5 ft wide. Calculate the square footage of the decking board: 8 ft × 0.5 ft = 4 ft². Find the number of decking boards needed (plus 10% for waste): 144 ft² / 4 ft² × 1.1 = 40.

How much does it cost to build a 20x20 deck?

How much does it cost to build a 20×20 deck? A 20 x 20 deck installation costs approximately $14,000 on average. Using more economical materials like bamboo or cedar deck boards can knock the price down. In contrast, high-end decking materials like composite decking will increase the price.

How much does a 200 square foot deck labor cost?

The average labor cost to build a deck is between $8 and $22 per square foot. This makes up about half the total deck cost per square foot. At that rate, you might consider making your deck project a DIY.

How To Figure Out How Many Deck Boards You Need || Dr Decks

Is a 12x16 deck big enough?

A 12x16 deck gives you room enough to break your space into zones for everyone in the family. Let the teens hang with their squad while you and your BFFs huddle in our deep seats. Boost the ambiance even more with a grill or an umbrella.

How much should a 12x16 deck cost?

'An average size deck is 12x16-ft. and the cost ranges from $5,000-$11,000, including labor, and depends on the products you select and other variables like design and complexity,' say Egypt Sherrod & Mike Jackson of HGTV's Married to Real Estate.

What is the cost of a 12x24 deck?

Composite decking costs between $23 and $38 per square foot installed, with materials costing between $10 and $15 per square foot. A 12′ x 24′ composite deck with railings costs most homeowners between $5,821 and $10,826 to install.

How many joists do I need for a 12x12 deck?

For example, a 12-foot x 12-foot deck of 5/4 x 6 pressure treated wood decking on 16 inches on center spacing of joists will require: A 12-foot long deck with joists 16 inches on center will require 10 joists.

Is 12x12 deck too small?

Urban Oasis — A deck measuring 12' by 12' is the standard size for many apartments and city homes. This amount of space is more than enough to fit a modest furniture set and still decorate with greenery and standing lights.

Do I need 2x6 or 2x10 for deck?

Commonly used joist sizes are 2-by-6, 2-by-8 and 2-by-10. For example, when you space joists 16″ apart — which is standard for residential decks — a deck spanning 9 1/2′ would require 2-by-6 joists, a 13′ deck would need 2-by-8 joists and a 16′ deck calls for 2-by-10 joists.

Should I use 2x4 or 2x6 for deck?

Posts: 4x4s or 6x6s are standard for deck posts. Cut cleats and stiffeners from 2x4s; for joists and beams, use 2x6s, 2x8s, 2x10s, or 2x12s. Pick PT lumber with care.

Should deck boards be spaced?

The amount of space between deck boards should be anywhere from ¼” to 3/8” inch. You want plenty of space for water to flow between the boards and to allow small debris to fall to the ground. Deck board spacing greater than 3/8” of an inch can become problematic.

How much is the labor to build a 12x16 deck?

12x16-foot Raised Deck: You could build a 12x16-foot treated-lumber raised deck with stairs, for about $3,100 in materials. Hiring someone to do the work for you brings your total cost from $3,700 to $9,500.

What is the perfect size deck?

Most builders suggest that your deck should be no larger than 20 percent of the house's* square footage. This is so that the deck does not overwhelm a home visually. This, of course, is up to you. If you feel you need a larger deck that takes up more of your yard space, feel free!

What is the most cost-effective deck size?

Check the cost per linear foot of the lumber you're considering; typically 12-foot boards are the most cost-effective. In other words, the cost per linear foot of a 12-foot board is likely to be several cents less than the cost of either an 8-foot or a 16-foot board.

Do decks add value to a home?

Tips To Make Sure A Deck Increases Home Value

While a deck will increase your home value, the return on investment (ROI) depends on a few key factors, including location, material, timing and labor costs.

Should I use pressure treated wood for a deck?

But building code dictates where you can use treated wood in applications — usually where there is risk of excessive moisture. Generally speaking, any wood used in outdoor projects should be pressure-treated. Wood details in your interior design (like cabinetry or furniture) do not need the same level of treatment.

What is the cheapest way to build a deck?

Pressure-treated wood is generally the cheapest material to build decks from. For up-front savings, that seems great, but don't forget long-term costs. Wood decks require yearly maintenance such as staining or painting, and they'll often break down quite quickly if you fall behind on maintenance.

How many hours does it take to build a deck?

So how long does it take to build a deck? If you have a simple design and everything goes according to plan, you can get through the entire process in about one to three weeks. However, it often takes much longer than this. Waiting for the necessary permits and adding extra features to your deck can slow things down.

How much should I charge in labor to replace deck boards?

Learn more about the cost of common deck repairs below: Board replacement: The cost of board replacement varies based on the decking material. Expect to pay $2 – $19 per square foot for material and $45 – $90 per hour for labor. The total cost of most board replacements is $10 – $35 / square foot.