Build a Deck: Expert Deck Installation Services Nationwide

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free deck calculator?

Supertrades has a free deck cost calculator. Installed rates are $35 per sq ft for pressure-treated pine, $42 for cedar, $55 for composite, and $62 for PVC. Railing is $40 per linear foot and stairs are $1,200 per flight, on top of the deck.

What is the first step in building a deck?

Decide the size, whether it is new or a replacement, and the material, then check whether your city or HOA requires a permit. A contractor can price it from the square footage before anyone buys lumber.

How expensive is a deck to build?

A 200 sq ft pressure-treated deck, about 12 by 16 ft, displays around $7,000, usually $5,600 to $8,400. The same size is about $8,400 in cedar, $11,000 in composite, and $12,400 in PVC. Railing and stairs are extra. New decks have a minimum of about $3,500.

Can you build a deck out of two by fours?

Deck boards are sometimes 2x4 or 5/4 boards laid flat. Joists for a normal deck are usually 2x8 or 2x10, sized for the span. A contractor should not frame that deck with 2x4 joists.

What is the 3/4/5 rule deck?

It is a way to square a corner. Measure 3 ft along one side and 4 ft along the other. The diagonal between those marks should be 5 ft. Larger multiples, such as 6, 8, and 10, work the same way.

Do I need 2x8 or 2x10 joists for my deck?

It depends on how far the joists span, how far apart they are, and the lumber species. A longer span usually needs a 2x10 or an extra beam. The contractor sizes them from the local code span table.

How far can a 2x8 deck span without support?

There is no single span. It changes with lumber species, grade, joist spacing, and the load the code requires. The contractor reads that span off the local deck span table rather than a rule of thumb.

Do deck joists need to be perfectly level?

Joists should be set so the walking surface is even. A slight pitch away from the house helps water run off. They do not need to be laser perfect, but a sag, twist, or rock is a problem.

How far can a 2x10 deck span without breaking?

A 2x10 spans farther than a 2x8, but the allowed distance still depends on species, grade, spacing, and load. Breaking strength is not the number to use. The local code span table is.

How much does it cost to put a deck on the back of a house?

An attached deck uses the same installed rates. A 200 sq ft pressure-treated deck on the back of the house displays around $7,000, usually $5,600 to $8,400. Cedar, composite, and PVC cost more per sq ft. Railing at $40 per linear foot and stairs at $1,200 per flight are extra.

What is the best material for roof decking?

Roof decking is the plywood or OSB layer under the shingles. That is a roofing job, not a backyard deck, and it is not priced with the deck calculator. A roofer sizes the sheet to the local code.

How to install composite decking with screws?

Most composite boards fasten with hidden clips. If the manufacturer allows face screws, use the screws and spacing they specify. Follow that sheet rather than a wood-deck screw pattern.