121 calculators · IRC 2021 · Updated May 2026
Every deck number, solved for free.
121 free deck calculators — cost, material, joist span, footings, stairs, and railings. Every one is IRC 2021 compliant, mobile-first, and embeddable, with no signups, ever.
Trex / TimberTech avg · $45/sqft
Live estimate based on national averages. Click through for ZIP-accurate pricing + IRC checks.
Which deck calculator should I use first?
Start with the Deck Material Calculator — it converts length, width, and joist spacing into exact board, joist, and footing counts, then feeds those numbers into the cost, structural, and stair calculators. Most homeowners complete a full plan in under 15 minutes using DeckMath’s 7-step planning path.
Five paths
Pick the one that fits your job
Prefer one tool over many calculators?
The Deck Project Planner does the whole job in one place — material list, cost, 3D, IRC checks, and PDF export — or answer 3 questions to find your material first.
Skip the funnel
- IRC 2021 compliantJoist, beam, footing, stair & guard checks
- Free foreverNo signups, no paywalls, no email gate
- Mobile-first60%+ of users finish on their phone
The full library
All 122 calculators
Browse by category or search by name. Cost queries dominate deck-calculator search — “deck cost calculator” alone sees 35,000 monthly searches (Google Keyword Planner, 2026). DeckMath’s 28 cost calculators cover every major brand: Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, Azek, cedar, and pressure-treated.
Cost(28)
Deck Cost Calculator
Estimate full deck project cost: materials, labor, permits, and per-square-foot pricing for any size and material.
Composite Deck Cost Calculator
Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, Deckorators by line + color. Real installed cost + 25-yr TCO vs pressure-treated. 2026 retail pricing.
Trex Deck Calculator
Trex deck cost + BoM. All 4 lines (Transcend incl. Lineage, Select, Enhance), full palette, TUHF box count, RainEscape, DeckLighting.
TimberTech Deck Calculator
TimberTech deck cost + BoM. All 6 lines (AZEK Vintage/Harvest/Landmark + PRO Reserve/Legacy + EDGE Prime+). CONCEALoc, 50-yr warranty.
Fiberon Deck Calculator
Fiberon deck cost + BoM. All 4 lines (Paramount PVC + Concordia + Promenade + Good Life). Stowaway hidden fastener (175/box), 50-yr warranty.
Deck Cost Per Square Foot Calculator
All 7 deck materials' installed $/sqft side-by-side: PT, cedar, composite (Trex/TimberTech), PVC, aluminum, tropical hardwood. 25-yr TCO. 2026 pricing.
PT Deck Cost Calculator
Pressure-treated deck cost — species + grade + UC treatment + chemistry + brand selectors with 25-yr TCO vs composite. 2026 retail pricing.
PVC Deck Cost Calculator
Full-PVC decking cost — AZEK Harvest/Vintage/Landmark/Advanced, Zuri, Wolf, Fiberon, Trex Signature. 10 lines × 5 brands. Install $ + 30-50yr TCO + composite + PT benchmarks. 2026 pricing.
Deck Labor Cost Calculator
Phase-by-phase deck labor: site prep + footings + framing + decking + railing + stairs + finishing. Material multipliers, 3 crew tiers, DIY savings model. 2026 contractor rates.
IPE Hardwood Deck Cost Calculator
Tropical hardwood deck cost — IPE / Cumaru / Tigerwood / Garapa / Massaranduba. Grade + board size + FSC + yearly oil. 40-yr TCO + composite benchmark. 2026 specialty distributor pricing.
AZEK Deck Calculator
AZEK PVC decking by line + color. Vintage / Harvest / Landmark / Advanced PVC. CoolColor heat reduction, 50-yr fade & stain warranty, Cortex fastener BoM. 2026 retail.
Deckorators Deck Calculator
Deckorators Voyage / Vault / Trailhead mineral-based composite. 35°F cooler claim, 1.5× joist span advantage (DCA-6 exception), 25-yr structural warranty. 2026 retail.
MoistureShield Deck Calculator
MoistureShield wholly-encapsulated composite — Meridian / Vision / Vantage / Elevate. Lifetime structural warranty on Meridian, water-immersion rated, CoolDeck heat reduction. 2026 retail.
Trex Transcend Calculator
Trex Transcend flagship composite — Tropical / Gravel Path / Lava Rock / Tiki Torch palette. 25-yr structural + fade & stain warranty, signature heat-tested colors. 2026 retail.
Trex Enhance Calculator
Trex Enhance entry composite — Basics + Naturals tiers (Beach Dune, Saddle, Clam Shell). Home Depot stocked, 25-yr fade & stain warranty, Trex's most affordable line. 2026 retail.
TimberTech PRO Reserve Calculator
TimberTech PRO Reserve flagship composite — Antique Leather, Driftwood, Storm Grey, Pecan. 30-yr structural + fade & stain warranty, CONCEALoc clips. 2026 retail.
TimberTech PRO Legacy Calculator
TimberTech PRO Legacy mid composite — Mocha, Tigerwood, Espresso, Ashwood. Streaked hardwood look that mimics IPE, 30-yr warranty, CONCEALoc clips. 2026 retail.
Wolf Decking Calculator
Wolf Decking — Serenity PVC + Perspective composite + Tropical Hardwoods. All-PVC alternative to AZEK at lower cost. 50-yr structural on Serenity, 25-yr on Perspective. 2026 retail.
Trex Signature Calculator
Trex Signature 2024 flagship — hardwood-realistic cap, 35-yr structural + fade warranty (Trex's longest). 6 colors (Whidbey, Aspen, Helios, Maverick, Iron Bluff, Carbonized). 2026 retail.
Zuri Premium PVC Calculator
Zuri Premium PVC by Royal — photo-realistic wood-print cap, looks like real Brazilian Walnut. 25-yr fade warranty, premium PVC tier. 2026 retail.
Deckorators Voyage Calculator
Deckorators Voyage flagship — mineral-based composite, multi-width boards (3.5/5.5/7.25″), 50-yr structural, 24″ joist OC DCA-6 exception. 6 colors. 2026 retail.
Deck Permit Cost Calculator
Estimate deck building permit cost in your state. 50-state fee table, project-value tier math, plan-review fees, IRC R109 inspection sequence. 2026 fee data.
Deck ROI Calculator
Deck investment recovery at resale — Cost vs Value 2024 data, regional ROI multipliers, PT vs composite delta. Composite deck ~52% national recoup; West Coast 68%.
Deck Demolition Cost Calculator
Full cost to remove an existing deck. Labor + dumpster (10/20/30/40 yd³) OR junk-removal flat fee + tipping + permits + lead/asbestos hazard testing. 5 substructure types × 5 footing systems × 9 railing systems.
Deck Resurfacing Cost Calculator
Resurface existing deck (keep frame, replace boards/railings) vs full rebuild. 7 decking materials × 3 fastener systems × 5 railing actions. Structural-viability check + 25-yr lifecycle TCO + sale recoup delta.
Outdoor Kitchen Deck Calculator
Outdoor kitchen on a deck — counter + cabinet + grill + appliances + electrical + gas. Automatic structural-load analysis flags reinforcement needs. 5 sizes × 4 grill tiers.
NewTechWood UltraShield Calculator
NewTechWood UltraShield — 4-sided capped composite (full enclosure). 4 lines: Magellan, Voyager, Sanya, Olympia. 25-yr fade & stain. 100% recycled HDPE + bamboo + reclaimed wood. 2026 retail.
DuraLife Decking Calculator
DuraLife by Barrette Outdoor Living — Made in USA (Biddeford ME). 3 lines: Hardwoods (premium), Siesta (mid), Landscape (value). MasterCertified installer network. StepClip hidden fastener. 25-yr fade. 2026 retail.
Material(22)
Deck Material Calculator
Calculate exact decking boards, joists, beams, posts, footings, and fasteners for your deck — IRC 2021 compliant.
Cedar Deck Calculator
Cedar deck cost + BoM. 3 species (Western Red, Eastern White, Alaskan Yellow), 4 grades (Knotty → FOHC), 4 finishes, 25-yr TCO.
Floating Deck Calculator
Floating deck cost — ground-level, no ledger, pier-block footings. 4 surface options. DIY-friendly. Often permit-exempt under 200 sqft / 24″.
Deck Tile Calculator
Interlocking deck tiles over existing concrete or wood — IPE / composite / porcelain-on-grid / plastic-grid. Tile count + waste + per-sqft cost. Convert old patio to deck-look surface.
Lumber Dimensions Calculator
14 nominal lumber sizes (1×4 to 8×8) to actual dressed dimensions in inches + mm + cm. Board feet + 9-species weight (lb + kg) + reference $/bf cost + metric conversion. Dressed vs rough-sawn.
Deck Waste Factor Calculator
Deck-board waste % across 8 patterns × 3 experience levels × 5 materials + custom-cut adder. Sanity-check the waste line in any deck quote. Pattern base 5% (parallel rect) → 25% (round/curved).
Deck Fastener Calculator
Exact deck-screw + clip + nail count for any deck. 4 fastener systems × board geometry × joist spacing = total + 350-box count + 2026-Q1 retail cost. Stair-tread math separate.
Hidden Clip Calculator
Composite hidden-clip count across 5 brand-specific systems (Trex Hideaway, TimberTech CONCEALoc, Fiberon EDGEXpress, AZEK Cortex, Deckorators). Compatibility check + 2026-Q1 pricing.
Deck Fascia Calculator
Deck fascia LF + pieces + cost across 6 materials (PT, cedar, composite, PVC, aluminum) × 4 sizes × stair cut-outs + 8% mitre waste. Color-match screws included.
Deck Rim Joist Calculator
Deck rim joist LF + pieces + butt-joint blocking. Match floor joist depth per IRC R507.6. PT pine or Douglas Fir. Simpson H1 reinforcement.
Deck Joist Blocking Calculator
Joist blocking count + LF + cost. IRC R502.7.1 mid-span (required for joists > 8 ft) + perimeter rows. Match floor joist depth (2×8/2×10/2×12).
Ground-Level Deck Calculator
Ground-level (no ledger, no stairs) deck cost — freestanding pier-block or shallow-footing platform sitting 4–14″ off grade. Frost-depth bypass, vapor barrier, ventilation gap. Often permit-exempt under 200 sqft + 30″.
Deck Board Calculator
Pattern-aware deck board count — straight / 45° diagonal / herringbone, with optional picture-frame border. 4 profiles × 5 materials × 5 stocked lengths. Cut-waste optimizer + hidden-clip count.
Square Footage Calculator
Deck square footage for any shape — rectangle, L, U, T, octagon, hexagon, round. Feet + inches inputs. Returns sqft, sqm, perimeter, plus quick BoM hooks to material + cost calculators.
Board Foot Calculator
Convert dimensioned lumber (thickness × width × length × quantity) to board feet across 13 species. Multi-row BoM mode, weight (lbs), regional $/bf cost range. 2026 retail.
Built-in Bench Calculator
Size deck built-in bench framing + decking + cost. 2×4 framing BoM, seat height, back/no-back, storage option, 5 materials. 2026 retail pricing.
Imperial / Metric Converter
Deck-focused unit converter: ft↔m, sqft↔sqm, lb↔kg, lumber nominal-to-actual (2×4→38×89mm), 11 decking board profiles with metric dimensions, plus a coverage planner.
Decking Length Calculator
Board-length mix optimizer. 8-20 ft stock lengths × 5 materials. Strategy comparison: single-length vs mixed-length to minimize waste. Pattern waste preset for diagonal/herringbone/picture-frame.
Cut List Calculator
Full project lumber order. Joists + beams + posts + decking + railing + stairs. Stock board count + total LF + estimated cost. IRC-aware warnings (composite OC, riser height, guard rail).
Expansion Gap Calculator
Thermal-expansion install gap by 20 composite/PVC/wood brands. CTE-driven math + manufacturer spec floor/ceiling. End-to-end / side-to-side / wall-to-board directions. Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, AZEK, Deckorators.
Planter Box Calculator
Cedar/PT/composite planter box. 4 styles × 5 materials. Lumber BoM + soil volume + liner + drainage holes. Food-safety warnings for PT.
Deck Drainage Calculator
Above-deck (board gap + slope) AND under-deck (Trex RainEscape, TimberTech DrySpace, Zip-UP). IRC R507.2.4 compliance, drainage capacity, 5-system comparison.
Structural(21)
Joist Span Calculator
Maximum joist span for any size, species, and spacing — directly from IRC 2021 R507.6 tables.
Deck Beam Span Calculator
Maximum beam span (post-to-post) by size, ply, species, and tributary load — straight from IRC R507.5 / DCA-6.
Hot Tub Deck Calculator
Hot tub deck structural calc — point-load math, doubled joists, dedicated beam, oversized 18″ footings. Engineer-flag for cantilever / extreme load.
Multi-Level Deck Calculator
Multi-level deck cost + structural sizing for two-tier decks. Lower + upper deck w/ connector stair, 14″ Ø footings under upper-deck posts, +25% labor complexity.
Wraparound Deck Calculator
L-shape & U-shape wraparound deck cost. Segmented framing, inner-corner reinforcement, 3 corner strategies, +15% labor complexity. PT, composite, cedar.
Octagon Deck Calculator
Octagon (8-sided) deck cost + structural sizing. Area = 2(1+√2)·s². Chord joists, 22.5° mitred rim, 8 vertex posts, 15-20% decking waste, IRC R312/R507.
Round Deck Calculator
Round (circular) deck cost + structural sizing — faceted-polygon framing model (12/16/24/32 facets). 25-28% decking waste. Highest labor premium of any deck shape.
Hexagon Deck Calculator
Hexagon (6-sided) deck cost + structural sizing. Area = (3√3/2)·s². 30° mitred rim, 6 vertex posts, 13-18% decking waste — most DIY-friendly geometric shape.
Deck Cover/Roof Calculator
Deck cover cost across 6 types — open pergola, louvered (Struxure/Equinox), retractable awning, gable roof, lean-to, polycarbonate. Dead-load check vs deck capacity. 2026 retail.
Below-Deck Drainage Calculator
Standalone below-deck drainage sizing — Trex RainEscape / TimberTech DrySpace / Zip-UP UnderDeck / DeckDrain / DIY EPDM. BoM per system + ceiling lighting + ROI. Convert under-deck to finished space.
Deck Ledger Board Calculator
Size your deck ledger board: joist span × load × snow × ledger length → 2×8/2×10/2×12 PT or LVL recommendation. IRC R507.9 compliant. Flashing strategy.
Deck Beam Size Calculator
Size deck beam given joist span + beam span + load + species → 5 beam configs (2× / 3× / LVL / PSL). M = wL²/8 bending formula + NDS 2018 Fb values. IRC R507.5.
Deck Post Size Calculator
Size deck posts given tributary load + post height. 4×4 / 6×6 / 8×8 / steel recommendation per IRC R507.4. Column-buckling-aware + footing match.
Snow Load Calculator
ASCE 7-22 design snow PSF for deck framing. 50 state defaults per IRC R301.2(5), elevation adjustment, exposure factor, drift load math. Upstream input for Joist + Beam + Deck Load + Ledger Bolt.
Lateral Load Calculator
IRC R507.9.2 lateral connection design. Simpson DTT2Z hold-down count + spacing. Earthquake + wind lateral capacity check. Inspection-grade output.
Deck Load Calculator
Reverse-check 'how much weight can my deck hold?' — joist + beam + post + footing vs live + dead + snow + point loads per IRC R301.5 + R507. Hot tub + outdoor kitchen + planter presets.
Ledger Bolt Calculator
Ledger bolt count + spacing per IRC R507.9.1.3. Lag screw / through-bolt / SDS structural screw options vs deck tributary load. Edge + end distance + spacing compliance.
Roof Deck Calculator
Over-membrane rooftop deck cost across 4 systems — pedestal-paver, PT sleeper + composite, PT sleeper + IPE, engineered frame. Building PSF load check, membrane protection, wind ballast, Class A fire advisory. 2026 retail.
Deck Joist Calculator
Joist count, size (2×6 / 2×8 / 2×10 / 2×12), spacing (12 / 16 / 24 o.c.), blocking, and hangers — IRC R502 + R507. Pairs with the Joist Span Calculator for full structural sizing.
Deck Cantilever Calculator
IRC R507.6 joist overhang validator. Checks 3 rules: L/4 of back-span, 24″ absolute, total joist span. Pass/fail + beam moment multiplier + blocking spec. AWC DCA-6 backed.
Deck Post Spacing Calculator
IRC R507.5 beam-to-post spacing sizer. 12 beam profiles (double/triple 2×8/10/12, solid 4×6 to 6×10), 4 species, tributary + load. Post count + post size + Simpson connector spec. DCA-6 backed.
Railings(12)
Glass Railing Calculator
Tempered + laminated glass deck railing — framed ($80-130/lf) or frameless ($180-280/lf). Panel sizing, glass weight, substrate load. 3 thicknesses × 4 treatments × 5 brands. IBC 2407 + ASTM E2353.
Cable Railing Calculator
Stainless cable railing — 11 cables @ 36″ guard, tension load on end posts, post spacing 4-6′ by diameter. 5 brands (Feeney, Atlantis, Ultra-tec, Viewrail, generic) × 3 diameters × 4 substrates. IRC R312.
Railing Linear Feet Calculator
Total deck railing LF — perimeter minus attached sides minus gates, plus stair handrail. 5 materials (PT cap, composite, cable, glass, aluminum). IRC R312 + R311.7 auto-checks. 4 shapes: rect / L / U / custom.
Baluster Spacing Calculator
Even baluster spacing for any railing length — IRC R312.1.3 4-inch sphere check, 7 styles, 1/16″ precision, side-elevation SVG.
Composite Railing Calculator
Trex, TimberTech, Fiberon, Deckorators composite railing kit BoM + 7-brand cost comparison. Square/round/composite/glass infill. IRC R312.1.3 compliant.
Baluster Count Calculator
How many balusters + total cost across 7 styles side-by-side. Level + stair runs, waste factor, new-build / replacement mode. IRC R312.1.3 (4″) + R311.7.5.1 (4 3/8″).
Privacy Screen Calculator
Size privacy screen panels + posts + cost. 6 styles (lattice, slat, louvered, decorative) × 5 materials (PT, cedar, composite, aluminum, vinyl). Deck-mounted or freestanding.
Railing Post Calculator
Engineering-grade deck railing post calculator. 5 post materials × 8 mounting methods. IRC R301.5 200 lb concentrated-load check, DCA-6 capacity ratio, full hardware BoM + Simpson DTT2Z hold-downs.
Deck Railing Cost Calculator
Installed railing cost across 8 systems: PT, cedar, composite (Trex/TimberTech), PVC (AZEK), cable (Feeney), glass, aluminum (Westbury), steel. 3 styles each, brand-matched kits, DIY vs contractor.
Stair Handrail Calculator
IRC R311.7.8 stair-handrail design. Type 1/Type 2 grip validation, 34-38" height check, returns + ADA 505 mode. 7 materials × 4 mounting styles. Full hardware BoM with brackets + return fittings.
Aluminum Railing Calculator
5-brand aluminum railing kit calculator: Westbury, AFCO, Fortress, Key-Link, Wolf. 5 styles (classic, cable, glass, vertical-cable, horizontal-rail) × 6 powder colors. AAMA 2604 30-yr fade warranty.
Deck Skirting Calculator
Close in the space under a raised deck. 6 styles × 6 materials. IRC R408.1 ventilation auto-check (1 sqft vent per 150 sqft floor). Lattice, slat, panel, stone veneer.
Stairs(11)
Deck Stair Calculator
Risers, treads, stringer hypotenuse, and BoM for any deck height — IRC 2021 R311.7 compliant with auto handrail + landing-pad sizing.
Number of Steps Calculator
IRC-compliant step count from total rise + ideal step height. Auto-enforces IRC R311.7.5.1 max riser 7.75″ + uniformity ±3/8″. Pair with Stringer Length + Rise & Run calcs.
Stair Stringer Length Calculator
Pythagorean stair stringer cut length from rise + run. Auto-recommends next-stock-up lumber size (8/10/12/14/16/20 ft). IRC R311.7.4 angle envelope check.
Stair Riser Calculator
Riser count + LF + cost for any stair style (closed/open/skirt). IRC R311.7.5.1 max 7.75″ + open-riser ≤ 4″ sphere check. 4 materials.
Stair Landing Calculator
IRC R311.7.6 stair landing sizing: 4 materials (concrete pad / pavers / gravel / deck extension) + below-frost footings + concrete cubic yards math.
Stair Railing Calculator
Stair handrail + guardrail sizing per IRC R311.7.8 + R312. 6 materials × Pythagorean sloped length × auto both-sides for stairs > 44″. 2026-Q1 retail.
Stair Angle Calculator
Stair angle from rise + run via inverse tangent. IRC R311.7.4 comfort classification (30-37° ideal, 37-50° steep, > 50° non-compliant) + step-rise options table.
Stair Stringer Calculator
Stringer hypotenuse, notch depth, throat (DCA-6 ≥ 5″), stringer count, stock-length pick, brackets + fasteners. IRC R311.7 + AWC DCA-6 cross-validated.
Stair Rise and Run Calculator
Equal-rise riser distribution, run depth, stringer hypotenuse, and angle for any deck height. IRC R311.7.5 + Blondel 2R + T ergonomic check. Permit-ready callout sheet.
Stair Tread Calculator
Tread board count, total LF + waste, riser boards, fasteners — across 6 materials (PT, composite, Ipe, Cumaru, cedar). IRC R311.7.5 cross-validated.
Stair Slope Calculator
Stair angle + slope ratio + IRC R311.7 compliance for residential deck stairs. Dual-mode: stair geometry AND deck-drainage slope (R507.11.2) for composite + PVC + wood decking.
Maintenance(8)
Deck Coats & Coverage Calculator
Per-coat gallons math across 10 brands × 6 product types — Behr, Sherwin, Cabot, Ready Seal, Olympic, Thompsons. Wood-porosity multiplier on 1st coat + sealed-surface ramp on subsequent coats. 2026 retail.
Deck Stain Calculator
How many gallons of stain — real surface-area model, 13 brands (Cabot, Behr, Olympic, Defy), wood absorbency, stocked-size bundle.
Deck Sealer Calculator
Coverage + cost engine for clear deck sealers. Thompson's WaterSeal, Olympic, Cabot, Penofin Marine, Behr, Ready Seal. Surface condition + method + multi-year maintenance schedule. 2026 pricing.
Deck Refinishing Cost Calculator
Phase-by-phase deck refinishing cost: power-wash + strip + sand + brighten + apply. 5 current × 4 new finishes × 3 conditions. DIY material + pro full-service + hybrid. 2026 regional pricing.
Stain vs Sealer Calculator
Decision tool comparing pigmented stain (semi-trans / solid) vs clear sealer (water-based / oil-based). 10-dimension scoreboard, color preference + wood condition aware. 10-yr TCO.
Deck Paint Calculator
Gallons + cost + coats for painting a deck. 5 paint types (acrylic P&F, oil-alkyd, elastomeric, solid stain, anti-slip) × 5 condition tiers. Paint-vs-stain 5-yr TCO comparison.
Stain Coverage Calculator
Accurate gallons calc for deck stain — 5 opacity tiers × 7 wood species × 4 age tiers × 4 prep states × 4 application methods. Multiplier transparency panel shows exactly what's reducing yield.
Power Wash Cost Calculator
DIY vs contractor deck pressure-washing cost. 5 PSI tiers (electric 1500 → gas 4000+), 5 chemicals (oxygen / bleach / stripper / brightener), 5 condition tiers. Recommend right washer for condition + sqft.
Compare(8)
Resurface vs Rebuild Calculator
Head-to-head resurface vs rebuild — keep framing vs full tear-down. 8 board materials × 4 framing conditions. 25-yr lifecycle cost. Framing-condition-driven recommendation. 2026 retail.
Composite vs Wood Comparison
Side-by-side comparison: cost, lifespan, maintenance, and total 20-year cost of composite vs pressure-treated wood.
Trex vs TimberTech Comparison Calculator
Side-by-side: Trex (Enhance/Select/Transcend/Signature) vs TimberTech (EDGE/PRO/AZEK/Advanced PVC). 25-yr TCO, warranty, lifespan, heat, weight, recycled content — 9-dimension scoreboard.
Cedar vs Pressure-Treated Comparison Calculator
Western Red / Eastern White cedar vs pressure-treated SYP/SPF — 25-yr TCO, lifespan, maintenance, decay-resistance, aesthetic comparison. 2026 lumber-yard pricing.
Composite vs PVC Decking Comparison Calculator
Capped composite (Trex/TimberTech composite) vs full PVC (AZEK/Zuri/Wolf). Heat retention, lifespan, weight, recyclability, cost per sqft + 25-yr TCO. 2026 pricing.
DIY vs Contractor Deck Cost Calculator
Real cash + effective-cost comparison: DIY (retail materials + tools + permits + mistake budget) vs contractor (trade discount + class-based labor + warranty). 5-step skill slider, opportunity-cost slider, break-even $/hr.
25-Year Deck Cost Calculator
True lifecycle cost across PT / cedar / composite / PVC / IPE on one chart. Year-by-year cost curve, sealing + restain schedule, replacement reveal, recoup at sale. 25-yr TCO ranking.
IPE vs Composite Calculator
Tropical hardwood (IPE / Cumaru / Tigerwood) vs capped composite. Janka hardness, density, FSC certification, 50-yr lifespan, 25-yr TCO with re-oiling schedule. Brand examples + sustainability flag.
Footings(8)
Soil Bearing Calculator
Soil identification helper — 8 soil types with presumptive PSF per IRC R401.4.1, wet-condition load reductions, when to require a soil test. Drives footing diameter math.
Footing Diameter Calculator
Footing diameter sizing — sonotube + Bigfoot Ø by post tributary load + soil bearing capacity. IRC R403.1.4 + R507.3.1 compliance. 8″-24″ Ø range × 5 soil tiers.
Deck Footing Calculator
Footing diameter, depth, concrete volume, and bag count — IRC R507.3 sized + frost depth lookup for all 50 states.
Footing Depth Calculator
Per-footing IRC R507.3 sizer: depth from frost + structural, diameter from soil bearing, rebar spec, concrete order. 5 soils × 4 footing types.
Frost Depth Calculator
IRC R403.1.4 footing-depth lookup. State + 80+ metro lookup, soil + elevation refinement, FPSF strategy. Free + free forever.
Concrete Calculator
Concrete volume + bag count + ready-mix delivery decision tool. Cylindrical/square/bell-bottom/slab geometry. 60lb + 80lb bags (Quikrete/Sakrete). Regional ready-mix pricing. IRC R507.3.1.2 rebar spec.
Fire Pit Pad Calculator
Size your fire pit pad: concrete, paver, or stone. Pad dimensions + bag/paver count + heat shield clearance check. Wood + gas fire pit support.
Concrete Bag Calculator
Bag-count optimizer for post holes, slabs, sonotubes, pier blocks. 15 SKUs across Quikrete + Sakrete + generic in 40-90 lb sizes. Pallet pricing tiers + mixer rental advisory + ready-mix breakpoint.
Pool deck(1)
Lighting(1)
Patterns(1)
Pergola(1)
People also ask
Deck calculator questions, answered.
Still not sure where to start?
Let the guided planner build your whole deck plan in one place.