Building a deck is an exciting project that can enhance the outdoor living space of your home. However, one of the biggest challenges for DIY enthusiasts and professionals alike is estimating the amount of materials needed for the job. Whether you’re building a small patio deck or a large multi-level structure, using a decking calculator can save you time, effort, and money by providing accurate estimates for the materials you’ll need. In this article, we’ll explain how to use a decking calculator to estimate material costs and quantities effectively.
1. What Is a Decking Calculator?
A decking calculator is an online tool or software application that helps you determine the materials required for building a deck. It takes into account various factors, such as the size of your deck, the type of decking material you’re using, and your desired deck layout. With just a few pieces of information, a decking calculator can estimate the quantity of boards, screws, fasteners, joists, beams, and other essential materials, as well as the total cost.
2. Why Should You Use a Decking Calculator?
There are several advantages to using a decking calculator when planning your deck project:
- Accuracy: Decking calculators are designed to give you precise calculations based on the size and layout of your deck. This minimizes the risk of underestimating or overestimating your material needs.
- Cost Savings: By accurately estimating material quantities, you can avoid wasting money on unnecessary materials. The tool can also help you compare different decking materials and their costs, giving you a clearer picture of the overall project cost.
- Efficiency: The calculator streamlines the planning process by providing quick results. This means you can spend less time manually measuring and calculating and more time on the actual construction of your deck.
- Error Prevention: It reduces the chances of making mistakes with measurements, material quantities, and cost estimates, which can delay the project or lead to unexpected costs.
3. How to Use a Decking Calculator
To make the most of a decking calculator, you need to provide accurate and relevant information about your deck project. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use the tool to estimate material costs and quantities:
Step 1: Measure the Dimensions of Your Deck
The first piece of information you’ll need to input into the decking calculator is the size of your deck. This includes the length and width of the deck surface. For raised decks, you may also need to input the height of the deck.
- Length and Width: Measure the length and width of the area where your deck will be built. Multiply these two values to get the total square footage of your deck. For example, if your deck is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide, the total area is 120 square feet.
- Height (for elevated decks): If your deck is raised, measure the distance from the ground to the deck surface. This will help estimate the amount of framing materials required.
Step 2: Choose the Decking Material
Different decking materials vary in size, cost, and durability. The decking calculator will typically ask you to choose the type of material you’re using, such as:
- Pressure-treated lumber: A budget-friendly and durable option, commonly used for decks.
- Cedar or Redwood: These natural woods offer great aesthetics and resistance to insects, though they can be more expensive than pressure-treated lumber.
- Composite decking: Made from a mixture of wood fibers and plastic, composite decking is low-maintenance but typically costs more upfront.
- PVC decking: This material is synthetic, lightweight, and highly durable but often more costly than wood options.
Each material has different dimensions, which can affect how many boards you need. For instance, composite decking boards are often longer or wider than traditional wooden boards, and the calculator will account for that.
Step 3: Input the Deck Design and Layout
The calculator will usually ask about the layout and design of your deck. For example:
- Board Orientation: Decide if your deck boards will be installed parallel or perpendicular to the house. This will influence the number of boards needed and their placement.
- Board Spacing: Input the desired spacing between the boards. Typically, deck boards are spaced around 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart, but the calculator may suggest an optimal spacing based on the material you’re using.
For complex designs such as multi-level decks or those with angled cuts, some advanced calculators may also ask for details about these unique features.
Step 4: Review Joists, Beams, and Support Structures
The decking calculator will also ask about the spacing of the deck’s joists (the supporting beams under the deck surface). The spacing between the joists generally depends on the type of decking material you’re using and whether the deck is elevated or ground-level.
- Joist Spacing: The most common joist spacing is either 16 inches or 24 inches on center (from the center of one joist to the center of the next). For heavier-duty materials or elevated decks, joists may need to be placed closer together to support the weight properly.
- Beams and Posts: For raised or multi-level decks, the calculator will estimate the number of beams and posts required based on the deck’s height and load-bearing requirements.
Step 5: Calculate the Materials
Once you’ve input all of the necessary information, the decking calculator will provide an estimate of the materials you need, including:
- Decking Boards: It will calculate how many boards you need based on the dimensions of your deck and the size of the boards you’ve chosen.
- Joists: The calculator will estimate how many joists are needed, including their length and spacing.
- Beams and Posts: For larger, elevated decks, it will estimate how many beams and posts are required for structural support.
- Fasteners: It will provide an estimate for screws, nails, or other fasteners needed to secure the deck together.
The calculator will also provide a breakdown of the estimated costs based on the materials you’ve selected and their current market prices.
Step 6: Adjust the Estimate for Waste and Extra Materials
While the calculator will give you a precise estimate based on your inputs, it’s always a good idea to account for waste, mistakes, or potential design changes during the construction process. Most professionals recommend adding around 10% to 15% extra material to your order to cover these factors.
Many decking calculators will allow you to add this extra percentage directly into the material estimate.
4. Using the Estimate to Make Purchasing Decisions
With the detailed material list and cost estimate provided by the decking calculator, you can now make informed purchasing decisions. Here are some tips for shopping with your estimate:
- Compare Prices: Use the material estimates to compare prices across different suppliers. Decking calculators typically provide both material quantities and costs, which makes it easier to see which supplier offers the best deal.
- Look for Discounts: If you’re purchasing materials in bulk, check for any available discounts, coupons, or sales that can lower your overall material costs.
- Review Delivery Costs: If you’re ordering online, consider the cost of delivery or shipping and factor that into your budget.
5. Conclusion
Using a decking calculator is an incredibly helpful tool for estimating material costs and quantities when planning your deck project. By entering basic information about the size, layout, and materials of your deck, you can receive a highly accurate estimate that will save you both time and money. With precise calculations, you can avoid overbuying or running out of materials mid-project, and you’ll be able to confidently move forward with your deck build.
Whether you’re a first-time DIYer or an experienced contractor, a decking calculator streamlines the planning process, helping ensure that your deck is not only beautiful but also cost-effective and built to last.