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Use our free Composite Decking Calculator to easily estimate how much composite decking you need by square feet, spacing, and dimensions. Plan your deck today with accurate results.
Planning a new composite deck? Whether you're building a small backyard retreat or a spacious outdoor lounge, figuring out how much material you need is the first crucial step. That’s why we developed a Free Composite Decking Calculator to make this process fast, accurate, and stress-free.
With this online calculator, users can easily enter their deck dimensions and get instant results for decking boards, spacing, and total square footage. Our tool is optimized to give precise material estimates, helping DIYers and professionals alike save time and money. Plus, it works perfectly for estimating costs from top retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s.
A Composite Decking Calculator is a simple yet powerful tool that helps you estimate the total number of decking boards, joists, framing, and hidden fasteners required for your composite deck project. It considers your deck’s length and width, board size, and spacing to deliver accurate material and cost estimates.
Whether you’re using a decking calculator app or our online tool, it ensures you don’t overbuy or underbuy your decking materials.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Calculate total square footage of your deck:
Deck Area (sq ft) = Length (ft) × Width (ft)
Example:
For a 20 x 20 deck:
Deck Area = 20 ft × 20 ft = 400 sq ft
Step 2: Calculate board coverage in square feet:
Each composite board covers:
Board Width (in) × Board Length (ft) ÷ 12 = Coverage in sq ft
For a 5.5 in wide by 12 ft long board:
5.5 × 12 ÷ 12 = 5.5 sq ft per board
Step 3: Estimate total number of boards:
Total Boards Needed = Total Deck Area ÷ Coverage per Board
400 ÷ 5.5 ≈ 73 boards
Note: Add 10% for cutting and waste:
73 × 1.10 ≈ 81 boards
Framing and spacing are key to a strong, long-lasting deck. Here’s how to calculate:
Joist Spacing: Standard spacing is 16 inches on center.
Number of Joists:
Deck Width (in) ÷ Joist Spacing (in) + 1
Example for 12 ft deck width:
144 in ÷ 16 in + 1 = 10 joists
You’ll also need ledger boards, beams, and hardware depending on your layout.
Composite decking costs vary based on brand, quality, and region. On average:
Using a composite decking calculator is the easiest way to plan your deck project accurately. It saves time, money, and eliminates the guesswork. Whether you’re shopping at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or using other brands, this calculator will help you buy exactly what you need and avoid unnecessary waste.
Our free deck board calculator with spacing is perfect for DIY homeowners, contractors, and architects. Don’t start your project without it!
Measure your deck’s total area in square feet and divide it by the coverage area of one board. Don’t forget to add 10% for cuts and waste.
A 12x12 deck has 144 sq ft. With 5.5" x 12' boards, you’ll need approximately 30 boards (including 10% waste).
Composite decking can be more expensive upfront, may get hot in direct sunlight, and may fade slightly over time.
Yes! This calculator works for most composite decking brands including Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, and others.