Deck boards are typically 12 or 16 feet long, roughly 5-½ inches wide and about an inch thick – though specific dimensions can depend on the style of board you choose. Composite decking can come with two bottom profiles. Solid bottom boards are most common and maximize strength.
What is the most common deck board size?
The most common or standard deck board width is 6-inch wide planks based on square-foot coverage, labor, and material cost.
What size boards are best for decking?
Width: Six-inch wide boards are ideal in most cases. Four inch wide material takes longer to install, creates more gaps and requires a lot more fasteners—but you can use it. Eight inch wide boards, because of their greater width, have more of a tendency to crack and cup, avoid using them.
What width do decking boards come in?
Decking widths typically range from 90mm to 150mm, with 120mm and 140mm in between. Which width option you choose for your project can make a real difference to the end result and it’s well worth getting creative in order to get the best look for your deck and your budget.
What length do treated deck boards come in?
x 6 in. x 16 ft. Standard Pressure-Treated Decking Board.
Can I use 1×6 for decking?
Never use 1×6 or 5/4×6 material in close to ground applications. Spacing between boards: You must allow space for your deck boards to expand when they take on moisture, as they will inevitably do when exposed to wet weather, rain or high humidity.
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How many deck boards do I need for a 12×12 deck?
For example, a 12-foot x 12-foot deck of 5/4 x 6 pressure treated wood decking on 16 inches on center spacing of joists will require: A 12-foot long deck with joists 16 inches on center will require 10 joists. 20 fasteners x 26 (number of rows of decking) = 520 fasteners. Add 10 percent to be safe.
Is 4×2 OK for decking?
4 x 2 Timber Rail / Joist. Pressure treated timber joists. These decking joists are the most common sized framing timber for decking. They provide a solid structure for fixing your decking boards too.
Should I use 2×6 for decking?
2×6 joists should only be used on ground-level decks that do not require, and will not provide for, any guards.
How many decking boards do I need for a 10×10 deck?
For a 10×10 square deck, you would therefore need twenty-two 10′ deck boards. Dimensions for deck boards can vary depending on the look you want and the deck board type you use. However, the most common is a 5/4” thick by 6” wide deck board of any length.
How wide is a 6 inch deck board?
Decking Planks
| Nominal Size | Actual Size |
|---|---|
| 5/4 × 6 | 1″ × 5-1/2″ |
| 6/4 × 6 | 1-5/16″ × 5-1/2″ |
Are wider deck boards better?
The wider your joist spacing, the stronger decking board you need. Within a given wood species or decking product, the thicker the board, the stronger it becomes, relatively speaking. Conversely, the stronger your decking board, (based on MOR and thickness), the wider the joist spacing you can afford.
What size is a large deck?
A small deck intended to hold a round dining table should be at least 12 feet by 12 feet, while a large deck can be designed with much more space. The average deck size is between 300 and 400 square feet. Generally, a deck should be wider than it is deep, with the longer dimension running along the house.
What is the actual size of a 1×6 deck board?
Nominal vs. Actual
| 1x Lumber | |
|---|---|
| Nominal Size | Actual Size |
| 1×4 | 3/4 x 3-1/2 |
| 1×6 | 3/4 x 5-1/2 |
| 1×8 | 3/4 x 7-1/4 |
What size is 5 4 decking?
5/4 Decking Actual Dimensions 1″ x 5.5.”
If you use 5/4 decking, you are getting two-thirds of the board of a 2×6.
Can you use 1 inch boards for a deck?
For the deck surface, you can use 2x4s, 2x6s, or 5/4x6s. The 5/4 decking (pronounced “five-quarter”), available in cedar and pressure-treated fir, is 1 inch thick and 5-1/2 inches wide with rounded edges that make for a splinter-free surface.
How do you stagger deck boards?
A common method for staggering a deck is to start the first row with a full plank, then cut one-third of the next row’s first board off the end. The row after that has an additional one-third cut off and then repeat when you get back to a full board.
How do I figure out how many decking boards I need?
The first step for answering “how to calculate how much decking I need” is to determine your deck’s square footage, or area, by taking the length of your deck times the width (L x W). EXAMPLE: For a deck that is 16 feet long and 12 feet wide, multiply 16 by 12. This gives you 192 square feet, your deck’s total area.
How much does it cost to build a 20×20 deck?
The average homeowner spends $2,200 to build a 10×10 foot deck, $6,160 to build a 14×20 deck, and $8,800 to build a 20×20 deck. The cost to build a deck with pressure-treated wood, hardwood, or composite is about $25 per square foot, for both materials and installation.
What size bearers and joists for a deck?
The bearers have to carry the weight of the entire deck and whatever is put on top of it, so they need to be strong. A 140×45 treated pine bearer will usually do the trick. Every 1.2 metres, a 90×90 H4 treated pine post will be needed.
What lengths do 4×2 come in?
4×2 Timber lengths
3.6 metres x 100mm x 47mm. 4.8 metres x 100mm x 47mm. 5.4 metres x 100mm x 47mm. 6.0 metres x 100mm x 47mm.
Can you use 3×2 for decking base?
3×2 can be used but you’ll have to support it more frequently throughout its length, say every five feet or so.
Do you leave a gap between decking boards?
Proper Gap between Decking Boards
When installing decking boards, make sure to leave 1/4 to 1/8 inch gaps in between them. This gap will make sure that the decking can breathe, have sufficient drainage, and make it easier to clean.
Can I use 2×8 for decking?
Q: Can I use 2×8 treated lumber as deck boards? A: No, that’s a not a good idea. Lumber wider than 6 inches should not be used as a flat surface. Wide, flat boards have a tendency to pool rain water, which can lead to cupping problems.
Should deck boards have a gap?
Proper deck board spacing should have a 1/8-inch gap after the decking has dried out. If you install your decking using wet boards, pressure-treated decking that has not yet dried out, then you should install them with no gap as a gap will be created as they dry and shrink. Deck spacing isn’t anything to take lightly.
How many posts do I need for a 12×16 deck?
A standard deck will need four footings parallel to the house, but they will need to be temporarily braced by 6 inch-by-6 inch posts. Using doubled boards, you will then need to build beams on the top row of the posts to frame the edges of the deck. These must be topped with adjustable post caps.
How do I calculate decking materials?
Decking calculator equation
- Step 1: Calculate the surface area of your decking. Multiple the length (L) of your decking area by the width (W). …
- Step 2: Calculate the coverage of your deck boards. Add the deck board width (W) to the Expansion Gap Length (EGL). …
- Step 3: Calculate the number of boards required.
How wide is a 10 inch board?
Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension Lumber
| Nominal Size | Actual Size |
|---|---|
| 1 x 8 | 3/4 x 7 1/4 inches (19 x 184 mm) |
| 1 x 10 | 3/4 x 9 1/4 inches (19 x 235 mm) |
| 1 x 12 | 3/4 x 11 1/4 inches (19 x 286 mm) |
| 2 x 2 | 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches (38 x 38 mm) |
How far do I space deck boards?
Proper wood deck board spacing should have at least a 1/8 inch gap after the decking has dried out. If you install your wood or treated deck boards while they are still wet boards, then they should be attached without a gap between them.
Is a 12×12 deck big enough?
Urban Oasis — A deck measuring 12′ by 12′ is the standard size for many apartments and city homes. This amount of space is more than enough to fit a modest furniture set and still decorate with greenery and standing lights.
How big of deck do I need?
As a general rule, Pologruto said homeowners should determine how many people they expect to host on their deck and estimate about 15 square feet of deck per person. To comfortably fit around 20 people, the deck will need at least 300 square feet of open space.
What is the average skate deck size?
Most skate decks are right around 31″ – 33″ long. Decks with a length of 33″ and longer will also generally have a width of 8.5″ or wider.
What does a 1×6 actually measure?
A 1×6, for example, actually measures 3/4″ x 5 1/2″. In this case, the planing is necessary for a smoother surface, so that the board could be used for interior applications. The length of the boards is generally exactly what you order, though we usually only stock pieces of even lengths.
How thick is a 1×6 fence board?
Specifications
| Actual Thickness (in) | 1.00 |
|---|---|
| Common Length In Feet | 6-ft |
| Industry Standard Minimum Length (ft) | 6.00 |
| Industry Standard Minimum Width (in) | 6.00 |
| Common Measurement (T X W) | 1-in x 6-in |
How much is a 2×8 piece of lumber?
2 x 8 Construction/Framing Lumber at Menards
| Everyday Low Price | $39.99 |
|---|---|
| 11% Mail-In Rebate Good Through 3/5/22 | $4.40 |