Decking & Outdoor Build Guides
Plan, calculate, and build your deck with professional-grade tools and step-by-step guides
Featured Decking Guides
Start with the most popular tools and guides for planning your deck and outdoor projects.
Deck Material Calculator + Cost Guide
Estimate materials, costs, and total budget for your deck project.
How to Build a Deck (Step-by-Step)
Complete beginner-to-pro walkthrough from planning to finishing.
Deck Footing Size Chart (Code-Based)
Ensure your deck meets structural and safety requirements.
How Many Deck Boards Do I Need?
Quickly calculate board quantities with waste included.
Deck Material Calculator + Cost Guide
Estimate the exact quantity of materials and associated costs for your decking project by providing key dimensions and material selections.
Inputs
What this estimates
- Deck length
- Deck width
- Board size
- Material type
- Total square footage
- Number of boards
- Joists required at 16" spacing
- Estimated cost breakdown
Item
Description
Included in Estimate
Deck boards
Material and overage
Yes
Joists
Framing members at 16" spacing
Yes
Footings
Concrete and hardware for supports
Yes
Hardware
Fasteners, hangers, connectors
Yes
Labor estimate
Optional rough labor line
Optional
Permits
Optional line item for permit fees
Optional
How to Build a Deck
Follow this master walkthrough to navigate your deck build from the initial site marking to the final protective seal.
1) Plan & Design
2) Layout & Marking
3) Dig Footings
4) Install Posts & Beams
5) Install Joists
6) Install Deck Boards
7) Railings & Stairs
8) Finish & Seal
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect spacing
- No flashing
- Skipping permits
Deck Footing Size Chart
Use this chart to determine the appropriate diameter and depth for your supports based on typical deck loads.
Deck Size Category
Footing Diameter
Depth
Light load decks
10–12" diameter
As required by local code
Medium load decks
12–16" diameter
As required by local code
Heavy load decks
16"+ diameter
As required by local code
Footings must extend below local frost line. Always confirm requirements with your local building department.
Deck Board Calculator
Quickly estimate the number of deck boards required based on surface area and necessary spacing gaps.
Input: Deck width (ft)
Formula: Convert deck width to inches, then divide by board width + gap (for example, 5.625") to estimate the number of boards.
What this tool displays:
- Number of boards needed
- Automatic 10–15% waste added
Why Builders Use These Decking Guides
Save time and avoid costly mistakes. Designed for DIYers and contractors alike, our resources are built around real-world deck builds and strict code considerations.
Practical
Field-tested
Calculator-driven
Get the Complete Deck Planning Kit
The ultimate resource for builders. Our kit provides the technical depth and planning precision required to execute a high-performance outdoor project from start to finish.
- Material calculator spreadsheet
- Printable charts
- Step-by-step build guide
We respect your privacy. Instant access upon confirmation.
Get the Complete Deck Planning Kit
Plan, calculate, and build with precision. Our kit includes: Material calculator spreadsheets, Printable footing charts, and a Step-by-step DIY builds guide.