Home Project
Estimate deck boards, joists, screws, railing, and footing concrete for a rectangular residential deck. A permit and structural design are typically required.
Deck area
192 sq ft
Boards
29
Joists
13
Screws
2.2 lb
Railing
40 ft
Footing concrete
20 bags
Assumptions
The board count is length across the deck divided by the row width (board width plus gap), times length along the deck divided by the board length you can buy locally. Add a waste percentage for cuts and offcuts. The joist count is a function of length divided by joist spacing plus one. Screws come out to a couple per board per joist crossing, in pounds.
Footings are the piece most people underestimate. Frost depth, soil bearing, and post loading control size and spacing, and code enforcement takes the deck ledger connection to the house very seriously. Do the sizing math to shop materials, then confirm the structural plan against your local building department before you dig.
Composite boards last longer, require closer joist spacing (often 12 in on center for diagonal or picture-frame patterns), and cost roughly two to three times pressure treated wood on the boards alone. The framing under either material is essentially the same.
Educational estimates only. Not financial, tax, or legal advice.
This site uses cookies, including for advertising, to keep the calculators free. See our Privacy Policy.