Calculating the perfect deck can be tricky, especially when you want to ensure an accurate estimate of how many boards and how much material you’ll need. That’s why we’ve created our Decking Calculator—an intuitive tool designed to determine the total area and lineal metres required for your deck in just a few taps. Whether you’re planning a small backyard platform or dreaming of a complex, multi-section project, this deck material calculator streamlines your process, works with metric or imperial measurements, and helps you plan for any construction scenario.
Below, you’ll learn exactly how to get the most from the Decking Calculator, including how to account for board spacing, different decking materials, and even how to handle unusual shapes. You’ll also find tips on maintenance, safety, and meeting local building codes to help you create a dream deck that’s safe, beautiful, and built to last.
Getting Started with the Decking Calculator
Our decking calculator is designed with user-friendly simplicity in mind. Input your length and width measurements, your chosen board width, and the spacing between each row of deck boards. With a quick tap of the “calculate” button, you’ll instantly get the total area in both square metres and square footage, along with the lineal metres of decking required to cover your surface. You can even add an extra 10% for inevitable offcuts and waste.
This calculator also accounts for board square footage, so you can see exactly how each board contributes to your overall surface. No more guesswork; the numbers are right there for you.
Why Use a Deck Material Calculator?
When you build a deck, you don’t want to misjudge and buy too little material or end up with excessive overage. A deck material calculator like ours reduces waste, keeps costs in check, and gives you confidence that you’re purchasing the right amount of materials. This is particularly important if you’re working with costlier decking materials like composite decking or exotic hardwoods. Even more affordable wood options, such as cedar or pressure treated lumber, can get expensive if you significantly overshoot.
Step-by-Step Guide: Basic Deck Calculation
- Download the Chippy Tools app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Open the Decking section and choose your measuring system: metric (millimetres/centimetres) or imperial (feet/inches).
- Enter the length and width of your deck in the appropriate fields.
- Include your chosen board width.
- Specify the spacing you plan to keep between boards.
- Tap “calculate.”
That’s it! In seconds, you get the total square footage, lineal metres, plus the 10% extra for waste. This ensures you have enough boards on hand, including a buffer for angled cuts or mistakes.
Handling Board Spacing for Deck Flooring
Board spacing is crucial for proper drainage and to avoid moisture build-up under your deck flooring. The Decking Calculator allows you to input the gap between boards, so your final estimate is tailored to real-world conditions. Keep in mind that hidden fasteners might require specific spacing guidelines, especially if you’re using composite or certain wood decking products.
Considering Composite Decking, Wood Decking & More
Choosing the right material is often a balance of budget, appearance, maintenance, and personal preference:
- Composite decking: Offers durable performance, low maintenance, and a uniform appearance.
- Wood decking: Traditional look and feel. This can include standard pressure treated boards, cedar, or even exotic hardwoods for a premium finish.
By using our deck material calculator, you can quickly see how switching from one type of decking to another affects your overall usage and cost. Remember to factor in finishing, screws, or hidden fasteners for your chosen deck type.
Estimating Square Footage & Board Square Footage
Accurately gauging square footage helps you understand how many boards you need per square metre or square feet of deck space. If you’re aiming for a certain design pattern, the ability to see board square footage ensures you’re buying enough material for the layout.
Simply input your deck’s length and width, and the calculator handles the rest. This precision is especially useful if you’re trying to figure out exactly how many deck boards are required or if you’re deciding how to break up multiple sections.
Dealing with L-Shaped & Complex Decks
Currently, our decking calculator handles rectangular shapes using a single length and width. That said, not all decks are perfectly rectangular. Some are L-shaped, U-shaped, or have cut-outs for stairs and landscaping elements. If you have multiple sections, just calculate each area separately, then combine your results to find the total square footage.
To get an estimate of how many boards you’ll need overall, add each section’s lineal metres and don’t forget the 10% waste factor. This multi-step approach works for many deck configurations.
Stairs and Extra Features
Adding stairs or raised platforms? You can adapt the Decking Calculator for each surface—just measure the treads separately, input the new length and width, and let the calculator do its magic. This way, you can accurately gauge your material requirements, whether you’re using a single style of deck boards or mixing designs.
Additional Considerations: Joist Spacing, Hidden Fasteners & Screws
Joist spacing directly impacts the number of support beams you’ll need and the overall strength of your deck. The tighter the spacing, the sturdier your deck—but this may also mean purchasing more joists or beams, slightly increasing your total cost. Our Decking Calculator helps you approximate the surface coverage, and from there, you can determine if your structure meets your local guidelines.
Remember to budget for screws, hidden fasteners, brackets, or other connectors that hold everything in place. These smaller items are easy to overlook but essential for a secure, safe deck project.
Maintenance, Safety & Local Building Codes
Before finalising your construction plan, always check local building codes. They can specify railing heights, structural requirements, or specific finishes. Building codes also guide you on safety features, like the correct height of guardrails or mandatory gaps between boards. Whether you’re working with a raised deck or simply adding a small platform in your backyard, ensuring compliance is vital.
Maintenance routines vary depending on your chosen material. Composite boards typically require nothing more than a quick wash, while wood decks might need sealing or staining. A little time spent on upkeep extends your deck’s lifespan, preserving your investment.
Example Calculation for a Dream Deck
Let’s say you want to build a deck measuring 30 feet in length and 12 feet in width, using 5.5-inch deck board sizes and a 1/4-inch gap between each board.
- Enter 30 inches and 12 inches for length and width in the Decking Calculator.
- Input 5.5 inches as your board width and 0.25 inches for spacing.
- Hit “calculate” to see your estimate in both total area (square footage) and lineal metres.
- Factor in your style preferences: maybe you prefer composite decking with hidden fasteners for minimal upkeep.
- Check any extra boards needed if you’re also including stairs.
Your result will show how many lineal metres of decking to buy, plus the extra 10% recommended for cuts or errors. If you also need to figure out how much concrete for footings, simply switch to our “Concrete” tab. Before you know it, you’ll have the perfect plan in place for that dream deck.
FAQs and Next Steps
Below, you’ll find answers to common queries like “How many boards do I need?” and “How much material should I order for an L-shaped deck?” The FAQ section ensures you’re fully prepared to handle different shapes, types of boards, and any last-minute surprises. Whether you’re installing deck flooring with composite or wood decking, the Decking Calculator keeps you on track.
Ready to get started? Download the Chippy Tools app, select the Decking feature, and let our tool guide you step by step. Build with confidence, save on materials, and enjoy a deck that looks fantastic for years to come.