Interactive 3D + animated decision tools
Visualize before you commit.
Deck decisions are hard to undo. Use these free 3D + animated tools to see patterns, materials, lighting, and construction steps BEFORE you spend $5K-30K building one.
What stage are you at?
Designing your deck?
Pick a board pattern + material before you commit.
All animations · 4 live
Which board pattern is right for me?
5 patterns toggled live: straight, diagonal, herringbone, chevron, picture-frame. Waste % + board count for each.
Which deck material should I pick?
8 materials with brand-accurate colors. PT, cedar, IPE + 5 composite/PVC brands. Climate fit + 25-yr cost.
Do I need deck lighting?
5 times of day with deck lights kicking on at twilight. Helps decide if you actually need fixtures.
How are deck stairs built?
Animated 4-phase build sequence. Cost per phase + tools + common mistakes at each step.
When animations help vs when calculators help
- ▸ You can't picture what something will look like
- ▸ You're choosing between aesthetic options
- ▸ You want to understand how something is built
- ▸ You're convincing a spouse / client
- ▸ You need exact $ cost or material count
- ▸ You need IRC code compliance check
- ▸ You need a number for a permit or quote
- ▸ You're ready to build, not still deciding
Most projects use BOTH — animation to decide what to build, calculator to spec exactly how much. Each animation page links to the relevant calculator.