QA

Quick Answer: How Much Lumber Do I Need To Build A Deck

How much lumber Do I need to build a 12×12 deck?

A 12 -by-12-foot deck will need 144 lineal feet of decking. The amount of individual boards will depend upon the size and type of decking your choose and the amount of space you plan to leave between decking boards.

How do you calculate how much lumber you need for a deck?

A single board foot is one square foot of wood that is one inch thick. You can measure board feet by multiplying length x width x thickness in inches, and then dividing by 144. If ordering a large amount by board feet, just multiply the total board feet needed by the price per board foot for the total cost.

How much does a 12×12 deck cost?

Cost To Build A Deck By Size Deck Size Square Feet Average Cost 8×10 80 $1,200 – $2,800 10×10 100 $1,500 – $3,500 10×12 120 $1,800 – $4,200 12×12 144 $2,160 – $5,040.

How many deck boards do I need for a 10×10 deck?

For a 10×10 square deck, you would therefore need twenty-two 10′ deck boards. Dimensions for deck boards can vary depending on the look you want and the deck board type you use. However, the most common is a 5/4” thick by 6” wide deck board of any length.

Should I use 2×6 or 2×8 for deck?

For upper-level decks, 2×10 is recommended as the minimum size to use for strong guard post connections. 2×6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards. Most decking is not strong enough to support longer spans than 16″.

What size lumber is used for decking?

Wood decking is commonly available in 2×6 and 5/4 x 6 profiles. 5/4 x 6 is produced specifically for decking and is milled with a radius edge or bull nose. 2×6 is thicker and is stronger, but is also more expensive. Spacing between deck boards provide a few critical functions.

How many posts do I need for a 12×16 deck?

A standard deck will need four footings parallel to the house, but they will need to be temporarily braced by 6 inch-by-6 inch posts. Using doubled boards, you will then need to build beams on the top row of the posts to frame the edges of the deck. These must be topped with adjustable post caps.

Is it cheaper to build your own deck?

When you construct a basic deck with the least expensive lumber on the market, you will probably pay between $8-10 for every square foot of area if you build it yourself. But, if you hire someone to build it, you could end up paying as much as $25 per square foot.

How much should a 12×16 deck cost?

12×16-foot Raised Deck: You could build a 12×16-foot treated-lumber raised deck with stairs, for about $3,100 in materials. Hiring someone to do the work for you brings your total cost to $3,700-$9,500.

How much does a 500 square foot deck cost?

Deck Cost Per Square Foot Deck Size Average Price Price Range (Low to High) Less than 200 sq.ft. $4,836 $2,888 – $6,870 Between 200 – 500 sq.ft. $8,142 $5,169 – $11,139 More than 500 sq.ft. $14,504 $8,532 – $20,605.

How many joists do I need for a 12×12 deck?

For example, a 12-foot x 12-foot deck of 5/4 x 6 pressure treated wood decking on 16 inches on center spacing of joists will require: A 12-foot long deck with joists 16 inches on center will require 10 joists.

How wide is a 5 4 deck board?

5/4 Decking Actual Dimensions 1″ x 5.5.” If you use 5/4 decking, you are getting two-thirds of the board of a 2×6.

How do you stagger deck boards?

A common method for staggering a deck is to start the first row with a full plank, then cut one-third of the next row’s first board off the end. The row after that has an additional one-third cut off and then repeat when you get back to a full board.

How far can a 2×8 span for a deck?

Depending on various factors, the maximum span for a 2×8 floor joist is 16′ 6”. The maximum span for roof rafters is 23′ 9”. For headers, the maximum span is 11′ 2”. Finally, a single deck beam has a maximum span of 5′ 11” and double maxes out at 8′ 9”.

How far apart should the posts be on a deck?

Starting with your perimeter, mark the location of each deck post to locate the fitting position. In general, posts should be spaced no more than 8 feet apart. Some builders position them every 4 feet for a completely rigid frame. The maximum distance between footings is determined by the size of your joist material.

Can I use 3×2 for decking?

3×2 can be used but you’ll have to support it more frequently throughout its length, say every five feet or so.

What’s the cheapest way to build a deck?

Pressure-treated wood, or chemical-treated wood, decks are generally the cheapest material to build decks with. For up-front savings, that seems great, but don’t forget long-term costs.

Can I build my own deck?

It may seem overwhelming at first, but if you have the time and a solid understanding of basic construction principles, you can build a pretty incredible deck all on your own. Just keep in mind that while a DIY deck project might be a great option for some, it’s not the solution for everyone.