deck material calculator · 1,900/mo searches
Deck Material Calculator: Boards, Screws & Lumber
Work out the materials your deck takes (deck boards, screws and framing lumber) from its size and decking type. Change the decking material to see how the board count and budget shift.
Member sizes read from the IRC R507.6 (joists) and R507.5 (beams) tables for No. 2 Southern Pineat 40 psf live + 10 psf dead. Footings from tributary load ÷ soil bearing (R507.3); ledger fasteners per R507.9. Confirm with your local building department.
| Decking: Pressure-treated pine192 sq ft · ~28 × 16′ boards · Shop materials ↗ | $575–$1,730 |
| Substructure (joists, beam, posts, hardware)192 sq ft framing · Shop materials ↗ | $1,150–$2,495 |
| Footings (concrete piers)4 posts · Shop materials ↗ | $140–$360 |
| Railing / guard40 lin ft · Shop materials ↗ | $600–$2,400 |
| Stairs4 treads · Shop materials ↗ | $120–$380 |
| Permit + fasteners + miscallowance | $75–$500 |
| Total estimate | $2,660–$7,865 |
Low is a DIY material budget; high is contractor-installed with labor. Regional prices vary, so treat this as a planning range, not a quote.
Prefer to hire it out? Get free quotes from local deck builders →
Turn this deck into a permit-ready PDF: title block, elevation, framing & footing schedules, code citations.
Deck Material: what to know
- •Board count assumes 5/4×6 decking (5.5" wide) with a 1/4" gap and ~10% cutting waste; order full lengths to minimise seams.
- •Composite and hardwood need hidden fasteners or pre-drilling; budget more time and a specific screw or clip system.
- •Always order framing and decking from the same yard run so the lumber matches in moisture and size.
Want a permit-ready deck plan?
This estimate is built for planning. For your permit packet, DeckHelm Pro turns these numbers into a code-referenced framing plan, footing schedule and material list as a printable PDF.
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