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Deck Layout Calculator - Stumps Bearers Joists and Boards with Costs

ⓘ Entered Centres are Maximum. Actual centres are calculated to fit evenly at nearest under or equal to maximum centres.

Deck Length
Deck Width
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Ground Level Fall in width of Deck. Adjusts Stump Lengths for sloping ground.
See Bearer Diagram below.
Ground Fall
Boards
Board Width
Board Thick
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Gaps adjusted to fit full width boards, equal to or nearest larger than entered Min.
For exact gap see Board Fit Options
Board Gap
Stumps
Stump Width
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Enter Stump Height from ground level.
Stump Height + Bearer Depth + Joist Depth + Board Thickness = Total Deck Height above ground level.
Adjust stump height in results if stumps cast into footing.
Stump Height
Stump Centres
Stump Set In
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Footing dimensions used to calculate concrete volume. Assumes Stumps sit on top of footings at ground level - fixed with stirrups cast into concrete footings.
Footing Diam:
Footing Depth
Bearers
Bearer Thick
Bearer Depth
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Stumps notched to house Bearers. Requires longer stumps to maintain deck height.
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Bearer Set In = Joist Overhang from OUTSIDE of bearer to end of joist (edge of deck)
If using Wall Plate (Ledger) instead of edge bearer, adjust 'Bearer Setin' to match Bearer Spacing. See Bearer cross section diagram below.
Bearer Set In Inner
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From OUTSIDE of bearer to end of joist (edge of deck)
Bearer Set In Outer
Bearer Centres
Joists
Joist Thick
Joist Depth
Joist Centres
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If your deck is longer than the deck boards, and you don't want to butt-joint them together, install a breaker board. Enter the centres of the middle joists to support the breaker board. If the breaker board is not dead centre, add or subtract 1 joist to centre it.

Deck Breaker Board
Mid Joist Centre
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End Joist Set In allows Deck Board Overhang at each end of deck. Allow extra overhang (deck length) and trim ends to a line after installation.
End Joists Set In
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Rim Joists are attached perpendicular to standard joists, along the edges of the deck.
They provide lateral support for the ends of the joists, while capping off the edges of the deck.
Select an option to see placements in diagrams.
Joist Length is shortened to fit Rim Joists.
Rim Joists
Material List and Costs Share Current Calculation

Scale

Deck plan with full dimensions - Stumps, Bearers, Joists, Boards, Timber Costs
     

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Stump base (ground level) to board top
Total Deck Height   Deck Area
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Use correct diagonal to square deck.
When both diagonals = deck is square.
Correct Diagonal to Square Deck =

→ Enter Linear Costs


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Stumps

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STUMP Running set-out points along Deck ~ along Bearer (to near side of each stump)
Mark-out
Stump Height

Deck Stumps and Bearers diagram


STUMP Running set-out points across Deck ~ along Joist from Inside (to near side of each stump)
Mark-out

Ground Level Fall for Sloping Ground

Deck Stumps and Joists diagram



Bearers



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If you use a wall plate (ledger) to attach Joists to an existing wall, the plate will replace the first bearer.
Adjust Bearer positions to suit.
Bearer Set In Inner (for Joist overhang or to allow for Wall Plate / Ledger)

BEARER Running set-out points, across Deck ~ along Joist from inner side
(to near side of each bearer)
Mark-out

Deck Bearers diagram


Joists



JOIST Running set-out points along Bearer (to near side of each joist)
Mark-out


Deck Joists diagram


Deck Boards



Mark Every Boards (Red).  

BOARD Running set-out points.
Mark-out

Deck Joists and Boards diagram


Set Length Boards ←
Estimate only - Allows wastage calculated from board length and joist spacings only.




There are many ways to stagger board joins - randomly or in a pattern. This calculator spaces board joins with a 3 or 4 butt pattern (3 or 4 boards between joins per joist) Drag Adjust Start and Adjust Board to spread the joins and see how the patterns look over the entire deck.
This is intended as a visual representation of options only, and may effect offcut re-use and increase waste!
DO NOT pre-cut boards. Measure and cut to fit joist centres.
Allow extra board overhang (Joist Set in) and trim deck edge after installation.


Enter Costs per Linear Metre and % waste to calculate Total Cost and Material List


Stumps + % Waste @ $ m
Bearers + % Waste @ $ m
Joists + % Waste @ $ m
Boards + % Waste @ $ m
Connections:




Enter cost per linear metre and wastage % for Stumps, Bearers, Joists and Boards to Calculate individual and Total Costs. Linear metres and cost are auto updated when the deck is re-calculated, with individual costs for stumps, bearers and joists displayed in each section. Hit + and - buttons to open or close spacing, re-calculating the deck to find how different spacing options effect cost and materials.
If your deck is slightly out of square (different widths each end), calculate board spacing results for both widths, and set out each end to suit. Hopefully the slight difference in board gaps at each end of deck is acceptable, compared to equal gaps and cutting the last board at an angle.


Hugh's Deck Project.
Hi legends,
Thanks for the deck calculator!
It was awesome.
Regards, Hugh

User Review - Deck frame stumps bearers and joists 		User Review - Deck stumps bearers joists and boards User Review - Finished deck

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If you need to take full scale measurements directly from your monitor, adjust the size of the diagrams on screen to match a ruler. Does not affect printed sizes. Use keyboard Cursor Keys to fine tune as you adjust scale.
Adjust scale of diagrams to measure 100% scale on screen with a ruler.

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All Inch inputs and dimensions are actual physical finished sizes
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Select output Fraction Precision then Re-Calculate to display.
Fraction Precision
Lumber
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Prec…
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