(Estimates only. Always consult with Lowe's for exact pricing and material needs.)
Material Breakdown:
Decking:$0.00
Framing:$0.00
Posts:$0.00
Hardware:$0.00
Total Estimated Cost:$0.00
Understanding Your Deck Material Costs
Building a deck is a rewarding home improvement project that can significantly enhance your outdoor living space. Accurately estimating material costs is crucial for budgeting and planning. This calculator aims to provide a comprehensive estimate based on common deck dimensions and material choices, specifically tailored for materials you might find at a home improvement store like Lowe's.
How the Calculator Works:
This calculator breaks down the estimation process into several key components:
Deck Surface Area: The primary factor for estimating decking material. Calculated as Length × Width.
Decking Material: We calculate the total square footage needed for the deck surface. This is then multiplied by the cost per square foot for your chosen decking material (e.g., pressure-treated lumber, composite). A waste factor is added to account for cuts and mistakes.
Framing (Joists and Beams): The structure beneath the deck boards. This includes joists, beams, and ledger boards. The calculation estimates the linear footage of framing material required based on deck dimensions and joist spacing. The total linear footage is multiplied by the cost per linear foot of framing lumber.
Posts: For raised decks, posts are essential for support. The number of posts needed depends on the deck's dimensions and the spacing between posts. The total number of posts is multiplied by the cost per post.
Hardware: This includes fasteners (screws, nails), hangers, and other connectors. Since this can vary widely, a general estimate is often used, or you can input a specific budget.
Waste Factor: Lumber and composite materials are rarely installed without some waste due to cuts, mistakes, or unusable sections. A percentage is added to each material category to compensate for this.
Key Inputs Explained:
Deck Length & Width (ft): The overall dimensions of your deck.
Deck Height (ft): Influences the number and length of posts required.
Deck Board Width (inches): Standard deck boards are typically 5.5 inches wide (nominal 6-inch). This affects how many boards are needed per linear foot of deck width.
Board Spacing (inches): The gap between deck boards, typically around 1/8 to 1/4 inch.
Joist Spacing (inches): The distance between the structural joists supporting the deck boards, commonly 16 or 12 inches on center. Closer spacing provides a stiffer deck.
Post Spacing (ft): How far apart your support posts will be placed.
Surface Board Cost ($/sq ft): The price of your chosen decking material per square foot.
Framing Cost ($/linear ft): The price of lumber suitable for framing (e.g., pressure-treated 2x8s, 2x10s) per linear foot.
Post Cost ($/each): The price of individual deck posts.
Hardware Cost ($/total estimate): An estimate for screws, hangers, brackets, etc.
Waste Factor (%): A percentage added to account for material loss.
Using the Calculator Effectively:
To get the most accurate estimate:
Measure your planned deck dimensions carefully.
Research current prices for decking boards, framing lumber, posts, and hardware at your local Lowe's or preferred supplier.
Input the values into the calculator.
Review the estimated costs for each material category and the total. Remember that this is an estimate, and actual costs may vary based on specific product choices, local pricing, and any unforeseen project complexities. It's always a good idea to add a small buffer to your final budget.
Consult with Lowe's sales associates or design services for professional advice and precise material takeoffs for your specific deck project.
function calculateDeckMaterials() {
var deckLength = parseFloat(document.getElementById("deckLength").value);
var deckWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById("deckWidth").value);
var deckHeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("deckHeight").value);
var boardWidthInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById("boardWidth").value);
var boardSpacingInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById("boardSpacing").value);
var joistSpacingInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById("joistSpacing").value);
var postSpacing = parseFloat(document.getElementById("postSpacing").value);
var surfaceBoardCostPerSqFt = parseFloat(document.getElementById("surfaceBoardCost").value);
var framingCostPerLinearFt = parseFloat(document.getElementById("framingCost").value);
var postCostEach = parseFloat(document.getElementById("postCost").value);
var hardwareCostTotal = parseFloat(document.getElementById("hardwareCost").value);
var wasteFactorPercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById("wasteFactor").value);
var totalCost = 0;
var deckingCost = 0;
var framingCostDisplay = 0;
var postsCost = 0;
var hardwareCostDisplay = 0;
// — Input Validation —
var inputs = [deckLength, deckWidth, deckHeight, boardWidthInches, boardSpacingInches, joistSpacingInches, postSpacing, surfaceBoardCostPerSqFt, framingCostPerLinearFt, postCostEach, hardwareCostTotal, wasteFactorPercent];
var isValid = true;
for (var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++) {
if (isNaN(inputs[i]) || inputs[i] 2) { // Extra posts for taller decks usually
totalPosts = Math.max(totalPosts, Math.ceil(deckAreaSqFt / (postSpacing * postSpacing)));
}
postsCost = totalPosts * postCostEach;
// 4. Hardware Cost
// Use the user-inputted estimate directly
hardwareCostDisplay = hardwareCostTotal;
// 5. Total Cost
totalCost = deckingCost + framingCostDisplay + postsCost + hardwareCostDisplay;
// — Display Results —
document.getElementById("total-cost").textContent = "$" + totalCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("decking-cost").textContent = "$" + deckingCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("framing-cost-display").textContent = "$" + framingCostDisplay.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("posts-cost").textContent = "$" + postsCost.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("hardware-cost-display").textContent = "$" + hardwareCostDisplay.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("total-cost-display").textContent = "$" + totalCost.toFixed(2);
}