Enter your post and hole dimensions in any units. Get home design inspiration, cost guides, DIY ideas & local contractor info, all for free! If you get stumped just click the help videos link in the designer. Another very common deck is a raised deck with steps. To further complicate things, some homeowners install transition boards between rows to change up the design. Decks that are a story off the ground need a larger set of stairs and longer posts than a deck that is near the ground. Of course, the latter will cost more. Calculator estimates total expenses of up to three deck areas at a time. 2. The data you enter provides a guideline for square or rectangular deck with no substantial items on the deck itself (such as a hot tub or outdoor kitchen, etc). Your top deck boards sit across the joists. Helping you plan your home improvement project, from start to finish. You need to calculate lineal feet to determine how much material you’ll need. Waste: For a horizontal design, add 10% to account for waste or mistakes. (DSA) Deck Surface Area (in square feet) = Deck Length (feet) X Deck Width (feet). Simply put, this popular pattern adds a deck frame, just like a picture, around your deck. A span is the unsupported distance between two posts. 2. The anchor is hidden within the post unlike unsightly bulky exterior metal post brackets. Whether you’re planning to hire a professional contractor to build a new deck or are taking the DIY route and building a deck … Entertain Guests: Weather permitting, with new decks, you can host dinner parties, 4th of July picnics and much more outside. To calculate the square footage of the deck, multiply the two numbers together: 20 ft * 13 ft = 260 ft². This concrete calculator gives you the built-in formulas you’ll need to help you calculate how many bags of concrete you will need for deck footings, supports, walls, pads and/or patios. This is a simple and fun experience designing a new deck. The span of a beam is dependent on a few variables. For an attached 12 x 12’ deck, you’ll need at least 3 footings, plus at least 2 more if you’re planning on building stairs with it. 800-230-7547 The posts are at the 10' point in the deck, out from the house where a beam will be positioned to support the deck. Most professional deck designers and deck design software programs select the post size based on tributary area calculations. 3 Cost of materials is an initial amount spent on purchasing necessary materials to build one square foot of deck. Expansion Gap: These are small gaps between each board. As a result, the post spacings for a railing will vary as will the length of the railing section that fits between each post. Width of Boards (feet): Necessary to determine lineal feet. Permits: Some decks require permits from your city. 4. That means that once you have the footings in place you need to install posts - which will support the beams - that in turn support the joists – that support the decking – and eventually you, your family and friends. While not listed in the calculator, this of course requires more lumber. While joists provide a horizontal support system for deck boards, beams provide support for the joists. It then determines the total load from each tributary area based on the design load of your deck. Stairs are a costly addition to a deck, so consider that adding them will increase the overall cost. Linear feet and cost are auto updated when the deck is re-calculated, with individual costs for stumps, bearers and joists displayed in each section. However, if you’re unsure what to put in some of the fields, please keep the following deck calculation tips in mind: If you’re brand new to deck installation, follow the steps below to ensure you buy the correct quantity of all materials: 1. Accurately calculating post spacing before you install your railing will ensure that you will not need to do costly reinstallations later on in your remodeling project. This means there are fewer holes to dig and fewer posts to look at from the ground floor of your home. The variety of decking materials and variables is overwhelming. Veranda composite decking is available at the Home Depot. No. *10% allowance for waste is included. connect you with professional deck builders near you. Eat Outside: If you prefer to eat outside versus inside, you will love your new deck. Nevertheless, installing either pattern requires much more cutting and precise measuring. Joist Span Calculator. Questions? Another benefit to steel framing is that the material is non-flammable and many insurance companies offer a discounted rate for steel deck framing. See your deck in 3D then get a plan and suggested material list for your project. Both deck designs look like a V and create a stunning deck design. 4. To account for waste, multiple your Single Board Coverage by 1.1 (10%) or 1.15 (15%). Drop in octagons, make a multilevel deck, add a staircase and or wrap around stairs, get a plan to submit for permits. Deck planning doesn’t have to be difficult. ... Home > Joist Span Calculator. From a safety perspective, you’ll need as many beams as possible to securely support the entire deck structure. The Deck Store Online's Handy Stair Calculator is the easy way to figure out how many steps & how much material you will need. Heights and post spacing mentioned in this calculator are for typical residential use on balconies or decks up to three floors. Board Size: Determine your desired board size. Copyright © 2021 Trex Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 3. Tip: Deck boards need a gap between each individual one, along the length and at their ends. One step up in appearance is diagonal or 45-degree decks. This will allow you to look at a variety of deck railings, deck posts and material options, including wood and composite decking. If you want to keep costs down, install a horizontal deck. Copyright © ImproveNetAll Rights Reserved. 8. Redwoods, Hem-Fir, and some of the other combination woods are not available outside of the Western part of the United States. The species of lumber, size of lumber and the load it carries. Get started on your composite deck project today with these simple to use material calculators. Variety of colours available; Fade, warp, rot and splinter resistant; No need for oiling or staining; Use for decks of any height; Made from bamboo, timber and recycled plastic Deck … Using the Post Hole Calculator Use the post hole estimator to quickly find out how much concrete you will need to set your fence posts. Fasteners: Most homeowners use screws and nails to attach the deck to the joists below. You can install a horizontal deck on the ground, raised or detached. By clicking GO!, you acknowledge that you have read Trex's Privacy Policy. Total Number of Boards: Divide your deck surface area by the number you calculated in step 7. Deck post size is important. However, as you might expect, building a diagonal deck requires more labor, since you have to cut all boards. Determine what you want (explanations below) and adjust your sketch. Therefore, to build an attached deck, you must account for that extra height by installing a raised deck. Railings: If you’re building a raised deck, you should install railings or balusters. For diagonal designs, add 15% by multiplying single board coverage by 1.15. Your beams will need to bear the load of not only your decking materials, but additional components of the frame itself. Now that you know exactly how much lumber to purchase for your new deck, you’re ready to build the deck of your dreams. As you might expect, these decks are simple to build and won’t require more than a week to erect (by a decking contractor). Installing a frame is quite easy since the boards don’t have to be cut and lay straight over the joists. Think of detached decks like an island in your large kitchen. Have fun! To ensure you build the best deck for the best possible price, do not ignore the following considerations: 1. To accurately estimate your lumber requirements for your new deck, you have to take into account the board width, length and thickness, as well as the deck design. Finally, multiple these two numbers together to get your single board coverage. Deck Design (Pick an Angle) Therefore, if you’re still unsure about building a deck, consider the following benefits: 1. Sketch the Deck: Lay out your deck with stakes at each corner and string in between. It's everything you need below the surface—joists, posts, beams and support. Tip: there are different ways to configure your deck boards. connect with an experienced decking contractor near you. Decking Calculator To accurately estimate your lumber requirements for your new deck, you have to take into account the board width, length and thickness, as well as the deck design. select A Calculator We have a variety of calculators to help you figure out the dimensions and quantities of all the different building materials you will need on your job site. For help, simply click on the beside the section you need help with, watch this Tutorial Video. Unlike screws, they allow for a smooth surface. Well, that’s priceless. Because the calculator goes beyond the limits of grade, live load, and dead load in the DCA 6 and IRC tables, you can design decks that fall outside the table limits. diameter center footing size and Table B3 calls for a 16 in. Unlike wood, steel beams are not susceptible to the elements and won’t warp over time. Adding stairs to a second-story deck will increase the cost by about $1,500 on average. Need help figuring our exactly how many balusters you need for your deck project? The two outside posts are positioned at the outside perimeter of the deck and the 2 interior posts are positioned at the 4' and 8' positions respectively. The final design decision you have to make before you buy deck materials is the pattern. They make for a stronger, straighter, safer, and smarter alternative to wood substructures and may be more economical in the long-run. Determining the spacing of posts is the first step in installing a railing on your deck or porch. or 7 lb. So there will be a 2' cantilever beyond the posts and beam. Lineal Feet = Deck Surface Area / Width of Boards. However, from an aesthetic perspective, you’ll want to have as few beams as possible since they will be visible from your ground floor and can obstruct views. Just like materials, there are plenty of patterns to choose from, all offering their own unique appearance. Some of the most common types of wood used for beams include: All are high-quality woods to use for framing purposes, however, your geographic region plays a role in which woods will be available to you. (SBC) Single Board Coverage = (Width + Expansion Gap along Length) X (Length + Expansion Gap along Width). Others think chevron patterns remind them of parquet floors. Maximum joist span of a 2X8 is 10’ – 6” at 16” o.c. Just decide its size and shape, then calculate and measure each … 6. 7. ... Everything holding up your deck: beams, posts, joists and support structures. Expansion gaps exist along the lengths and widths of the boards. The decks mentioned above assume you’re building an attached deck. If your deck will be a different size, it’s easy to figure out how many you’ll need. 4. If you want to know what equations the deck cost calculator uses, or want to calculate the cost yourself, read the example below: Let's say you want a deck that is 20 ft long and 13 ft wide. This of course raises your decking cost. Chevron and picture frame designs require more materials and cost. This allows water to drain. Deck Board to Joist = 741 Enter cost per linear foot and wastage % for Stumps, Bearers, Joists and Boards to Calculate individual and Total Costs. For other uses please contact Craft-Bilt. Use our baluster calculator to figure it out! From there, you’ll be able to plug in your specific project measurements to find out just how much concrete … If installing, you’ll need all materials for a ground-level deck, plus boards for your stairs, the stair treads, joist hangers and joist support posts that raise the actual deck. While we’ve gone over the major requirements for any deck installation, there are always smaller factors that can affect materials, price, labor and more. You can use the decking calculator above to choose from the most prevalent sizes. Beyond the obvious of more usable space outside, there are other advantages all deck installations bring. You chose a board which is 8 ft long and 6 in wide. Boards usually run parallel with the house. Extension of Your Home: A new deck expands your usable square footage. Default is 50 psf which you can change. 5. Sizing Deck Footings Assuming a minimum soil bearing capacity of 1,500 psf, 8-inch-diameter concrete piers bearing on square footings measuring 2 feet on a side and 9 to 11 inches thick are adequate for most single-story decks where beams are spaced 14 feet apart or less and joist spans are 14 feet or less (see table below). Yes. The terms “baluster,” “spindle,” and “post” are often used interchangeably. Use this calculator to find out the beam span and deck footing size for your project. To build such a deck, you’ll need deck boards as well as inner and outer joists, the pieces of wood that go between the top boards and your grass/concrete. Also, see if you have to pull permits. Then, use a long tape measure to determine the total length and width of your deck (enter into calculator). Due to their strength, fewer beams or posts are needed. 2. Stairs: In addition to railings, raised or platform decks usually require stairs. Preparation: Check with your city so you know exactly where you can and can’t install a deck. (EG) Expansion Gaps: Small gaps between each board to let water drain. 3. Wood substructures split, warp and shift, leading to an uneven surface in the deck boards above. The lengths of each side of a deck often vary. To fancy things up, some homeowners paint the framing boards a different color. Besides fitting in with your home, raised decks allow for extra storage underneath. Enter your preferences below and then, use ImproveNet to connect with an experienced decking contractor near you. However, if you’d like your deck farther out where there’s more space, you can install a detached deck. Unfortunately, raised decks add more material and time to build. The joists should measure as long as the length of your deck. To determine the footing size needed under a deck post, the same formula is used: A = B/C Where A = Surface area of the footing B = Load on the footing in pounds C = Load carrying capacity of the soil in pounds per square foot Because decks are not uniform in construction, defining the load carried by each footing, called the tributary area (TA), is dependent on design of the deck, especially the placement of … This calculator includes horizontal and diagonal decking. Determine your desired expansion gap and enter into deck calculator above. As always, if you need help along the way, ImproveNet can connect you with professional deck builders near you. Please note that "Double Top Hand Rail Style" is not available for 36" height railing. My calculations came up with 15 3/4 in. Enter your preferences below and then, use ImproveNet to connect with an experienced decking contractor near you. Click here to determine the size of footing you need for your deck posts. However, this price assumes you’re hiring a decking contractor. The anchor is hidden within the post unlike unsightly bulky exterior metal post brackets. (Be sure to have your joist span calculations ready to enter for an accurate reading and check out our concrete calculator to determine the size of your footings.). Next -> Inspiration on Instagram. As such, before you use any decking calculator, make sure you consider the following deck types and materials: If you want to keep costs down and your home is level with the ground, you should install a ground-level deck. Due to the design, diagonal decks are generally stronger than horizontal decks and can hold more weight. On the flipside, Pinewoods are only available in Southern and Eastern regions of the country. Just like a house, there are different types of decks all homeowners can choose from. Deck Load Calculator This calculator determines the size of each tributary area of your deck. Railing spacing ultimately determines the spacing of the pickets or balusters you will install; it plays an essential role in ensuring the structural integrity of the railing. ... Home > Beam Span Calculator. According to our beam span chart resource, the span of a beam is dependent on a few variables: the species of lumber, size of lumber, and the load it carries. However, shipping costs for large amounts of lumber can cost almost up to five times the actual price of the lumber itself. If you have your heart set on a specific type of wood that isn’t locally available, that wood can be shipped to you via a supplier. Terms of use, And combination woods, such as Douglas Fir & Western Larch (Douglas Fir-Larch), Hemlock & Fir (Hem-Fir), and Spruce-Pine-Fir. Most detached decks are built at ground level, but some homeowners do go the extra mile and install raised, freestanding decks. Deck Design: You have a few options, such as 90 degrees (horizontal), 45 degrees (diagonal), raised, platform, straight and plenty others. Deck cost calculator computes project size, average completion time, and total cost to build a new deck. While building a deck is not easy, many DIY enthusiasts can build horizontal, grounded decks on their own. footing. Try to DIY and save money if you want to add some color to your deck. It’s important to choose a strong, dense wood for your beams. For this reason, it’s important to calculate how many beams (and concrete footings to secure each beam) your deck will need. Many homes are not built at ground level. Space Near Pool: If you have a pool, a deck can improve safety around the water and adds more walking space around your pool. According to our deck building cost estimator, the average cost to install a deck is $6,200. Of course if you are still unsure or have questions about baluster types, brands, or comparability, feel free to give us a call or email. Curved, multi-level, other unusual shapes will require additional review by an engineer or other professional. The design besides lumber, decks can be made from numerous materials, but additional components the! Boards need a gap between each board to let water drain some to! Beside the section you need both, you could save thousands in the calculator, this price assumes you ll! 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