The Carpenter's Rule
Some Help that Measures Up!
Here are some helpful hints when creating the plans for your new deck!
To figure how many linear feet you will need:
- 6" wide (5 1/2" net) board--multiply your square footage by 2.2 to figure how many linear feet you will need.
- 4" wide (3 1/2" net) board--multiply your square footage by 3.43 to figure how many linear feet you will need.
- 6" wide T&G (5" face net) board--multiply your square footage by 2.4 to figure how many linear feet you will need.
- 4" wide T&G (3" face net) board--multiply your square footage by 4 to figure how many linear feet you will need.
To figure how many fasteners you will need:
Coverage Calculator
If your joists are 12" on center, for 75 sq. ft.:
- 175 hidden fasteners (screws included) or
- 350 screws for face screwing.
If your joists are 16" on center, for 100 sq. ft.:
- 175 hidden fasteners (screws included) or
- 350 screws for face screwing.
If your joists are 24" on center, for 150 sq. ft.:
- 175 hidden fasteners (screws included) or
- 350 screws for face screwing.
Always figure approximately 5% overage in wood for an average deck design and 10% for decks with a lot of cuts or intricate patterns. Shipping or milling on just a couple of boards can be very expensive if you fall short or have any mis-cuts.
Handrails
Handrail--always remember to figure a little extra footage if you are cutting angles at the corners of your handrail.
To figure the number of balusters that you need, multiply the linear footage by 2.4. Always order at least a couple extra.
Always check with your local county codes for handrail regulations and your code.
Steps
Figures below are approximate, always check with your local codes. Handrail is figured a few inches long so you can trim it for your particular needs.
These are figured with a 7" rise
- 2' off of the ground: 2 steps and 3' of handrail (6' if both sides).
- 2'6" off of the ground: 3 steps and 4' of handrail (8' if both sides).
- 3' off of the ground: 4 steps and 5' of handrail (10' if both sides).
- 3'6" off of the ground: 5 steps and 6' of handrail (12' if both sides).
- 4' off of the ground: 6 steps and 7' of handrail (14' if both sides).
Never pressure wash your deck, always use a garden hose. Even though the Brazilian Hardwoods are extremely hard and dense, pressure washing can damage your wood and/or raise the grain.
IMPORTANT-Please Read!
Always let your wood acclimate to your climate. Make sure it is stored in a place that it cannot get wet until you install it. Make sure it is stored with stacking sticks between the boards and that it is off of the ground. If it outside, make sure that it is covered, but make sure to leave ventilation so air can still circulate around your wood. If you store your wood in a garage, make sure to have ventilation for air circulation. If the wood came from a warehouse close to you, let it acclimate for a few days and if it did not, you should wait a minimum of 7-10 days before installing it.
It is up to you and your contractor to make sure that you wood has been acclimated to your climate and that you wood have been installed correctly with proper ventilation under your deck.
With proper acclimation of your wood, correct installation and proper ventilation, you will enjoy your deck for years to come!
We ship from one of our many warehouses around the country directly to your home or job site anywhere in the continental U.S.
We also deliver to shipyards for overseas projects.