Decking Material Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate the number of decking boards and total linear footage required for your deck project. Accurate planning helps minimize waste and ensures you purchase the right amount of material.
Calculation Results:
Please enter valid numbers for all fields to see the results.
Understanding Your Decking Material Needs
Building a deck is an exciting home improvement project, but accurately estimating the materials needed can be a challenge. Our Decking Material Calculator simplifies this process, helping you determine the precise quantity of decking boards required, minimizing waste, and ensuring you stay within budget.
How the Calculator Works
The calculator takes into account several key dimensions to provide an accurate estimate:
- Deck Length and Width: These define the total surface area of your deck. The calculator uses these dimensions to determine the overall coverage needed.
- Decking Board Width: This is the actual width of the individual decking boards you plan to use (e.g., 5.5 inches for a standard 6-inch board).
- Decking Board Length: The standard length of the boards you intend to purchase (e.g., 12, 16, or 20 feet). This helps determine how many boards are needed to span the deck's length.
- Gap Between Boards: Essential for drainage and expansion/contraction, this small gap (typically 1/8 to 1/4 inch) adds to the effective width each board covers.
- Waste Factor: It's always wise to account for waste due to cuts, mistakes, or damaged boards. A typical waste factor ranges from 5% to 15%, depending on the complexity of your deck design and your cutting skills.
Key Outputs Explained
- Total Deck Area: The total square footage of your deck surface. This is a fundamental measurement for any deck project.
- Number of Decking Boards: This is the estimated total number of individual decking boards you will need to purchase, rounded up to the nearest whole board and including your specified waste factor.
- Total Linear Feet of Decking: This represents the total linear footage of decking material you will need to buy. It's calculated by multiplying the number of boards by their individual length. This metric is often used by suppliers for pricing.
Tips for Buying Decking Materials
- Measure Twice, Cut Once: Double-check your deck dimensions before inputting them into the calculator.
- Consider Board Lengths: While the calculator helps, sometimes purchasing slightly longer boards to minimize cuts or splices can be more efficient, even if it means a bit more waste.
- Account for Deck Shape: For irregular or multi-level decks, consider breaking down the project into simpler rectangular sections and calculating each separately.
- Check Local Availability: Board widths and lengths can vary by supplier and material type (wood, composite, PVC). Confirm what's available in your area.
- Order Extra: Even with a waste factor, it's often a good idea to have a few extra boards on hand for future repairs or unexpected issues.
By using this calculator and following these tips, you'll be well on your way to a successful and beautiful deck project!
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function calculateDecking() {
// Get input values
var deckLength = parseFloat(document.getElementById('deckLength').value);
var deckWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('deckWidth').value);
var boardWidthInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('boardWidth').value);
var boardLengthFeet = parseFloat(document.getElementById('boardLength').value);
var gapInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('gap').value);
var wasteFactorPercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('wasteFactor').value);
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result');
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(deckLength) || isNaN(deckWidth) || isNaN(boardWidthInches) || isNaN(boardLengthFeet) || isNaN(gapInches) || isNaN(wasteFactorPercent) ||
deckLength <= 0 || deckWidth <= 0 || boardWidthInches <= 0 || boardLengthFeet <= 0 || gapInches < 0 || wasteFactorPercent < 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "
Calculation Results:
Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.";
return;
}
// Convert inches to feet for consistent calculations
var boardWidthFeet = boardWidthInches / 12;
var gapFeet = gapInches / 12;
// 1. Calculate Total Deck Area
var totalDeckAreaSqFt = deckLength * deckWidth;
// 2. Calculate Number of Decking Boards
// Effective width of one board including the gap
var effectiveBoardWidthFeet = boardWidthFeet + gapFeet;
// Number of rows needed across the deck width
var numRows = Math.ceil(deckWidth / effectiveBoardWidthFeet);
// Number of boards needed to span the deck length for one row
var boardsPerLength = Math.ceil(deckLength / boardLengthFeet);
// Total raw number of boards needed
var totalBoardsRaw = numRows * boardsPerLength;
// Apply waste factor
var totalBoardsWithWaste = totalBoardsRaw * (1 + wasteFactorPercent / 100);
// Round up to the nearest whole board
var finalNumBoards = Math.ceil(totalBoardsWithWaste);
// 3. Calculate Total Linear Feet of Decking (purchased)
var totalLinearFeetPurchased = finalNumBoards * boardLengthFeet;
// Display results
resultDiv.innerHTML = "
Calculation Results:
" +
"
Total Deck Area: " + totalDeckAreaSqFt.toFixed(2) + " sq ft" +
"
Number of Decking Boards: " + finalNumBoards + " boards" +
"
Total Linear Feet of Decking: " + totalLinearFeetPurchased.toFixed(2) + " feet";
}