Guides
Deck building guides
Plain-English guides to planning and building a deck, written to go with the calculators. Every code value, product spec and price range links to its source.
Planning
- How to Plan a Deck: A Step-by-Step GuidePlan a deck in the right order: decide its use, check permits and setbacks, size it to board lengths, sketch the framing, then price materials before you build.8 min read
- How to Measure Deck Square Footage (Any Shape)Measure deck square footage for rectangles, L-shapes, clipped corners, octagons and curves, with worked examples and tips for turning the area into materials.7 min read
- What Does a Deck Cost? A Line-by-Line BreakdownSee where deck money goes: boards, framing, footings, railings, stairs, permits and labor, with 2026 cost ranges, sources and a worked 16 x 12 ft example.8 min read
- Decking Materials Compared: Pressure-Treated, Cedar, Composite and PVCCompare pressure-treated, cedar, composite and PVC decking on cost, upkeep, heat, movement and framing needs, with sourced 2026 prices and a worked example.8 min read
Boards & layout
- Deck Board Spacing: How Much Gap to Leave (Wood vs Composite)How wide to gap deck boards side to side and end to end for wet treated lumber, kiln-dried wood and composite, with manufacturer specs and a worked row count.8 min read
- Choosing Deck Board Lengths to Cut Waste and Avoid SeamsHow to match 12, 16 and 20 ft deck boards to your deck size, place butt joints on joists, stagger seams and work out which length mix leaves the least waste.8 min read
- Picture-Frame Decking: Layout, Blocking and MaterialsHow to plan a picture-frame deck border: the extra blocking and doubled joists it needs, mitred corners, frame board lengths and a worked material estimate.8 min read
- Breaker Boards: When and How to Use One on a Long DeckWhen a breaker board beats staggered butt joints on a long deck, where to place it, the framing it needs underneath, and how it changes your board lengths.8 min read
- Deck Board Sizes Explained: Nominal vs Actual DimensionsWhat 5/4x6, 2x6 and composite deck board sizes really measure, why nominal and actual dimensions differ, and how width and thickness affect spans and board counts.6 min read
- Hidden Fasteners vs Deck Screws: Cost, Look and LaborHow hidden deck fasteners compare with face screws on cost, appearance, install time and board compatibility, with box coverage math for a sample deck.8 min read
Framing & structure
- Deck Joist Spacing Explained: 12", 16" or 24" On Center?How deck joist spacing is set by your decking, joist size and span, with IRC table values, manufacturer rules for composite boards and a worked joist count.8 min read
- Deck Footings and Frost Depth: Size, Depth and ConcreteHow deck footing size is set by tributary area and soil, how deep footings go for frost, and how to estimate concrete bags, with IRC table values and examples.8 min read
- Ledger-Attached vs Freestanding Decks: Pros, Cons and FramingCompare ledger-attached and freestanding decks: code rules for ledgers, when a deck must be self-supporting, extra footings needed, and a worked framing example.8 min read
- Pressure-Treated Lumber for Decks: Ratings, Grades and FastenersRead a treated-lumber end tag, know when deck framing needs ground-contact (UC4A) rather than above-ground (UC3B) wood, and pick the right grades and fasteners.8 min read
Stairs & railings
- How to Build Deck Stairs: Rise, Run, Stringers and TreadsLay out deck stairs that pass inspection: measure total rise, size risers and treads to IRC limits, space stringers for your decking, and plan the landing.8 min read
- Deck Railing Height and Baluster Spacing: What Code RequiresWhen a deck needs a guard, how tall it must be, how to space balusters under the 4-inch sphere rule, and what changes on stairs, with worked spacing examples.8 min read