Deck Building Guides
Long-form articles on deck cost, IRC 2021 code, brand comparisons, how-to walkthroughs, and 25-year maintenance schedules. Each guide is paired with the relevant DeckMath calculator so you can run the math while reading the theory.
Cost & budgeting
Deck Cost 2026: $25–$140 per Sq Ft Installed, Line by Line
Pressure-treated $25-40/sqft installed, mid composite $50-80, premium $75-110, Ipe $90-140 — plus what each line actually is: labor is ~50%, railing 8-12%, permit 1-2%. Regional multipliers, hidden costs, DIY math.
Deck Cost Breakdown 2026 — Line by Line
Deck cost breakdown by line item: lumber, fasteners, labor, railing, stairs, permit, design, contingency. With real 16x20 deck examples in 5 finish tiers.
DIY vs Contractor Deck Cost — 2026 Breakdown
Should you build your deck or hire a pro? Honest 2026 cost breakdown: labor savings, tool investment, material trade discounts, waste, time, and the real risks.
Deck Railing Cost & Code Guide (2026)
Deck railing cost by system (2026) plus IRC R312 code: when a guard is required, 36-inch height, 4-inch sphere rule, and installed price per linear foot.
The 25-Year Deck Cost — Total Cost of Ownership
Why the cheapest deck upfront isn't the cheapest deck. A 25-year total-cost-of-ownership breakdown of PT wood vs cedar vs composite vs PVC, including maintenance and replacement.
Does a Deck Add Home Value? Deck ROI 2026
Does a deck add home value? See real 2026 deck ROI — how much value a deck adds, what recoups best (wood vs composite), and how to build for resale.
Deck Cost by Size: 10×10 to 20×20 in 2026
Deck cost by size for 2026: real price ranges for 10×10, 12×12, 12×16, 16×16, 16×20 and 20×20 decks — plus why small decks cost more per square foot.
Brand comparisons
Composite vs Wood Decking — 25-Year Comparison
Composite vs wood decking compared over 25 years: upfront cost, maintenance, lifespan, environmental impact, brand recommendations, and break-even math.
Trex vs TimberTech — 2026 Brand Comparison
Trex vs TimberTech compared head-to-head: pricing, warranties, color palettes, heat performance, install systems, retailer availability, and 25-year TCO.
Trex Enhance vs Select vs Transcend (2026)
Trex Enhance vs Select vs Transcend compared for 2026: board price per sq ft, warranties, colors, scalloped vs solid profile — and which tier upgrade is worth it.
Trex Transcend vs TimberTech Legacy & Reserve
Trex Transcend vs TimberTech PRO Legacy & Reserve in 2026: board price per sq ft, 25 vs 30-year warranties, colors and heat — the premium composite head-to-head.
TimberTech vs Trex vs Fiberon: Flagships 2026
TimberTech AZEK Vintage vs Trex Transcend vs Fiberon Paramount in 2026: board cost per sq ft, PVC vs composite, 50 vs 25-year warranties — three flagships compared.
Fiberon vs Trex Enhance: Budget Composite 2026
Fiberon Good Life & Promenade vs Trex Enhance for 2026: entry composite board prices per sq ft, warranties, fastener-cost math, and which value line to buy.
Process & how-to
Deck Building Permits — IRC 2021 + State Rules
Complete deck permit guide: IRC 2021 trigger thresholds, state-by-state fees, application process, common rejections, post-build inspections.
How to Build a Deck: 8 Steps, 6–12 Weekends (IRC 2021)
The 8-step professional sequence: permit, footings, ledger, posts, joists, decking, stairs, railing — with the IRC citation and inspection stop at each. 6–12 weekends for a first build, 4–6 if you've framed.
Floating & Ground-Level Deck Guide (2026)
How to build a floating or ground-level deck: pier options, frost-depth rules, when you need a permit, framing without a ledger, and 2026 cost ranges.
How to Read a Deck Contractor Quote (2026)
How to read a deck contractor quote in 2026: the line items a real bid must show, red flags to reject, deposit norms, and how to compare 3 quotes fairly.
Deck Lighting Ideas & Cost 2026: Low-Voltage & Solar
Deck lighting ideas and cost for 2026: low-voltage vs solar vs recessed, what each type costs, where to place lights, and how to plan a safe, code-smart layout.
Pergola vs Deck Cover vs Awning: Cost 2026
Pergola vs deck cover vs awning compared for 2026: real cost, shade and rain protection, permits and which shade structure is right for your deck.
Structural & code
Deck Joist Spacing: Max Spans at 12″, 16″ and 24″ (IRC 2021)
SPF 2x10 spans 11'-7" at 16″ o.c., Southern Pine 2x10 spans 14'-0". Full IRC 2021 R507.6 span table by species and size, cantilever limits, and the tighter composite spacing rules that override it.
Deck Footing Requirements — IRC 2021 R507.3 + R403
Deck footing depth, diameter, frost line, soil bearing, concrete spec — complete IRC 2021 R507.3 + R403.1.4 reference. State-by-state frost depths.
Deck Beam Sizing Guide — IRC R507.5 Span Tables
How to size a deck beam from IRC 2021 Table R507.5(1) — by beam size, ply, species and DECK JOIST SPAN, which is the column the table is actually indexed by. Built-up assembly, post connection and cantilever rules.
Deck Stair Code: 7¾″ Max Rise, 10″ Min Tread, 36″ Wide (IRC 2021)
Max riser 7¾″, min tread 10″, min width 36″, risers within 3/8″ of each other. Full IRC 2021 R311.7 stair geometry, stringer layout, landing and handrail rules, with 2026 tread and labor costs.
Deck Board Spacing & Gap Guide (2026)
How much gap to leave between deck boards in 2026: recommended spacing for wood vs composite, wet vs dry lumber, end gaps and fastener spacing done right.
Materials & patterns
Best Deck Patterns Compared — 2026 Guide
Deck board patterns compared — parallel, diagonal, herringbone, picture-frame, chevron. Cost, waste %, labor multiplier, and aesthetic trade-offs.
Cedar vs Pressure-Treated Decking: Cost & Value 2026
Cedar vs pressure-treated decking compared for 2026: real cost per square foot, lifespan, maintenance, looks and resale value — plus which is worth it.
PVC vs Composite Decking: Cost & Which Wins 2026
PVC vs composite decking compared for 2026: cost per square foot, heat, moisture resistance, weight, warranties and which premium board is worth it.
Ipe Decking Cost: $10-$25/sq ft for a 40–75 Year Deck
Ipe costs $10–$25 per sq ft — composite money — and lasts 40–75 years at a Janka hardness near 3,500. Cumaru and tigerwood compared, plus the pre-drilling, stainless fasteners and UV oil it demands.
Maintenance
Deck Maintenance: Clean Every Spring, Re-Stain Every 2–5 Yr
Maintained, a deck lasts 25 years in pressure-treated and 30+ in composite; neglected, 10–15. Annual spring wash, re-stain every 2–5 years by finish, plus the 5-year structural inspection checklist.
Deck Stain vs Sealer vs Paint: 1–2, 2–4 or 3–7 Years
Sealer lasts 1–2 years, semi-transparent stain 2–4, solid stain and paint 3–7 but can peel. What each finish does, cost per square foot, prep, and which to use on a new, weathered or worn deck.
How DeckMath guides work
Every guide pairs with a DeckMath calculator that lets you run the math from your browser. Cost guides link to the deck-cost calculator. Structural guides link to joist-span / beam-span / footing calculators. Brand-comparison guides link to the composite-deck-cost or trex-deck calculator. Theory in the article; numbers in the calculator.
All content is updated quarterly to match RSMeans 2026-Q1 pricing, current IRC 2021 sections, and active manufacturer warranties + product palettes. Last full review: 2026-05-10.