Building a deck can be a great addition to your home, providing an outdoor space for entertainment and relaxation. However, before you can start building, it's important to calculate the square footage of the deck boards you'll need. This will ensure that you purchase the right amount of materials and avoid any unnecessary waste or expense. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of calculating deck boards square footage, step by step.
The Importance of Calculating Deck Boards Square Footage
Before we dive into the details of calculating deck boards square footage, it's important to understand why this step is crucial. When you're building a deck, you'll need to purchase deck boards, which are the main component of the deck's surface. These boards come in various lengths and widths, and calculating the square footage will help you determine how many boards you'll need to cover the entire surface area of your deck.
By accurately calculating the square footage, you can avoid the hassle of running out of boards in the middle of your project or having to make multiple trips to the store. Additionally, knowing the exact amount of materials you'll need can help you budget more effectively and prevent unnecessary expenses.
Step 1: Measure the Dimensions of Your Deck
The first step in calculating deck boards square footage is to measure the dimensions of your deck. Start by measuring the length and width of the deck using a tape measure. Make sure to measure from the outside edges of the framing, as this will give you the most accurate results. Write down the measurements in feet and inches.
For example, let's say your deck measures 20 feet in length and 10 feet in width.
Step 2: Calculate the Square Footage of the Deck
Once you have the dimensions of your deck, you can calculate the square footage by multiplying the length and width measurements. This will give you the total area of the deck in square feet.
Using our example, the square footage of the deck would be:
20 feet (length) x 10 feet (width) = 200 square feet
Step 3: Determine the Width of the Deck Boards
Next, you'll need to determine the width of the deck boards you plan to use. Deck boards typically come in standard widths, such as 6 inches or 8 inches. Measure the width of the boards you've chosen and write down the measurement.
For the purpose of this example, let's assume you've chosen deck boards with a width of 6 inches.
Step 4: Calculate the Number of Deck Boards Needed
Now that you have the square footage of your deck and the width of the deck boards, you can calculate the number of boards needed to cover the entire surface area. Divide the square footage by the width of the boards to determine the number of boards needed.
Using our example:
200 square feet (total area) ÷ 6 inches (board width) = 33.33 boards
Since you can't purchase a fraction of a board, you'll need to round up to the nearest whole number. In this case, you would need 34 deck boards to cover the entire surface area of your deck.
Step 5: Consider Extra Boards for Waste and Spacing
In addition to the exact number of deck boards calculated in the previous step, it's recommended to purchase a few extra boards to account for waste and spacing. Waste refers to the amount of material that will be discarded during the installation process, such as cutting boards to fit the shape of the deck or making adjustments for any irregularities. Spacing refers to the gap you'll leave between each board to allow for expansion and contraction.
It's generally recommended to add an extra 10% to 15% to the total number of deck boards calculated to account for waste and spacing. In our example, adding 15% would give us:
34 boards (calculated) + 15% (extra) = 39 boards
Therefore, it's advisable to purchase 39 deck boards to ensure you have enough to cover the entire surface area of your deck, accounting for waste and spacing.
Conclusion
Calculating deck boards square footage is an essential step in the deck building process. By accurately determining the square footage and number of boards needed, you can ensure a smooth and efficient project, without any unnecessary delays or expenses. Remember to measure the dimensions of your deck, calculate the square footage, determine the width of the deck boards, and consider extra boards for waste and spacing. Following these steps will help you plan and execute your deck building project with confidence.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Measure the dimensions of your deck |
| Step 2 | Calculate the square footage of the deck |
| Step 3 | Determine the width of the deck boards |
| Step 4 | Calculate the number of deck boards needed |
| Step 5 | Consider extra boards for waste and spacing |