DeckMath
L-shape · 20×14 (280 sqft) · 2026-Q1 retail

L-shape 20×14 Deck Cost

A l-shape 20×14 (280 sqft) deck costs $15,120-$24,080 in mid-tier composite — about 8% more than the same size in a clean rectangle. An L-shape deck wraps around two sides of a house — creating dining and lounge zones with a natural visual break between them. The most common upgrade from rectangular.

280 sqft1.08× labor9% waste78 lf perimeter8% over rectangular
Area
280 sqft
20×14
PT pine (budget)
$7,560-12,040
$27-43/sqft installed
Mid composite
$15,120-24,080
$54-86/sqft installed
Luxury PVC
$22,680-33,320
$81-119/sqft installed

5 finish tiers — l-shape 20×14

National $/sqft × l-shape shape's 1.08× complexity multiplier × 280 sqft = total installed cost. Materials + labor + standard railing included. Multiply by your state's labor multiplier for a local figure.

Tier
$/sqft
Total low
Total high
Budget · Pressure-treated
PT pine
$27-$43
$7,560
$12,040
Mid · Cedar / premium PT
Cedar
$38-$59
$10,640
$16,520
Premium · Mid composite
Trex Transcend, Fiberon Sanctuary
$54-$86
$15,120
$24,080
Luxury · Premium composite
TimberTech AZEK, Trex Signature
$81-$119
$22,680
$33,320
Exotic · Tropical hardwood
IPE, Cumaru
$97-$151
$27,160
$42,280

Excludes permit ($150-$450 typical), demolition (if replacing), site prep, and waste material premium. $9% waste factor already applied to material side of the tier $/sqft.

What changes vs a rectangular 20×14

Labor complexity
1.08× rectangular
Two rectangular frames meeting at a 90° corner with a doubled common joist + connector beam. Often uses two separate ledger boards on adjacent walls.
Material waste
9% (+2)
Rectangular baseline is ~7% waste. L-shape adds 2% more decking ordered vs installed because of mitered cuts and irregular perimeter geometry.
Perimeter
78 lf (+10)
Standard rectangle perimeter at this size is 68 lf. L-shape typically has 14% more edge — adds to railing + fascia budget.
Footing count
~6 footings
A l-shape 20×14 typically needs 1-2 extra footings vs rectangular.
Permit difficulty
Moderate
Standard residential review path with an annotated framing plan. 2-5 week turnaround typical.
Maintenance delta
+8-15%
Inner-corner gap collects leaves + standing water — sweep monthly and stain the corner detail every 2 yr regardless of brand warranty.

When to pick l-shape

Best for

Houses with a kitchen + family room that both back onto the yard. Lets each room have its own outdoor zone.

Watch-outs

The inner corner is a stress point — needs a 6×6 post or doubled 4×4 + cross-brace, not a single column.

Open the calculator with l-shape 20×14 pre-loaded

Use the deck-cost calculator to dial in your exact material, railing, and stair specs. For non-rectangular shapes, use the size that approximates your footprint and apply the 1.08× multiplier shown above.

FAQ — l-shape 20×14

How much does a l-shape 20×14 deck cost in 2026?

A l-shape 20×14 (280 sqft) deck costs $7,560-$12,040 in pressure-treated, $15,120-$24,080 in mid-range composite, and $22,680-$33,320 in luxury PVC. That's roughly 8% more than the same size in a rectangular shape — about $1,400 extra at mid-tier composite for the l-shape geometry. Numbers reflect 2026-Q1 national retail with average labor; multiply by your state's labor multiplier for a local estimate.

Why does a l-shape deck cost more than a rectangular one?

Two rectangular frames meeting at a 90° corner with a doubled common joist + connector beam. Often uses two separate ledger boards on adjacent walls. On top of that framing complexity, the material waste factor for l-shape is roughly 9% versus 7% for a clean rectangle — you'll order ~2% extra decking that ends up as offcuts. Combined, the labor multiplier on a l-shape build is about 1.08× rectangular baseline.

Is a l-shape deck right for a 20×14 footprint?

Best for: Houses with a kitchen + family room that both back onto the yard. Lets each room have its own outdoor zone. Watch-outs: The inner corner is a stress point — needs a 6×6 post or doubled 4×4 + cross-brace, not a single column. At 280 sqft, a l-shape layout is balanced — fits the shape's typical sweet spot.

What framing changes for a l-shape vs rectangular?

Two rectangular frames meeting at a 90° corner with a doubled common joist + connector beam. Often uses two separate ledger boards on adjacent walls. For a 20×14 footprint specifically, plan for ~6 footings (vs ~6 for rectangular), and ~78 linear feet of perimeter (vs 68 for rectangular). Permit complexity is moderate — standard residential review path with annotated framing plan.

How does l-shape affect long-term maintenance?

Inner-corner gap collects leaves + standing water — sweep monthly and stain the corner detail every 2 yr regardless of brand warranty. Over a 25-year lifecycle, the maintenance delta vs rectangular adds roughly $400-$900 for a 20×14 build. Composite reduces this delta by 60-80% — the more complex the shape, the more composite outperforms PT on TCO.

Compare 20×14 across all shapes

Same l-shape shape in other sizes