Timbertech Decking Calculator

Building or upgrading a deck is exciting, but estimating how much material you need can be tricky. Buying too little decking can delay your project, while ordering too much means wasted money and resources. The Timbertech Decking Calculator takes the guesswork out of the process. This easy-to-use tool helps homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, and contractors quickly estimate the number of boards required, including allowances for spacing and wastage.

In this article, we’ll walk through how the tool works, give you step-by-step instructions, provide a practical example, highlight key benefits and use cases, and finish with a detailed FAQ section covering common questions.

What is the Timbertech Decking Calculator?

The Timbertech Decking Calculator is a smart planning tool designed to estimate how many decking boards are needed for your outdoor project. By entering basic details like deck length, width, board size, and spacing, the tool calculates:

• The total deck area in square feet
• The number of boards required for your chosen board size and length
• Waste allowance for cutting and fitting (default 10%)
• Spacing details and total linear feet of boards

This tool makes planning easier, more accurate, and budget-friendly.

How to Use the Timbertech Decking Calculator

Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting the most accurate results:

1. Enter Deck Length (feet)
   • Type in the length of your deck.
   • Example: 20 feet.
2. Enter Deck Width (feet)
   • Add the width of your deck.
   • Example: 12 feet.
3. Select Board Width
   • Choose from:
     • Standard (5.36″)
     • Wide (5.5″)
     • Extra Wide (7.25″)
4. Select Board Length
   • Available options: 12 ft, 16 ft, or 20 ft boards.
5. Set the Gap Between Boards
   • Enter the gap size (in inches) between boards.
   • Default is 0.13″ (about 1/8″).
6. Click “Calculate”
   • The calculator processes your inputs and displays results including area, board count, and waste-adjusted totals.
7. Review, Copy, or Share Results
   • Use the copy or share function to save results or send them directly to contractors, suppliers, or team members.
8. Reset for New Calculations
   • Click “Reset” to clear all fields and enter new dimensions for another deck project.

Practical Example

Let’s say you want to build a backyard deck:

• Deck length: 20 feet
• Deck width: 12 feet
• Board width: Standard (5.36″)
• Board length: 16 ft
• Gap: 0.13″

Step 1: Deck area = 20 × 12 = 240 sq. ft.
Step 2: Number of boards across = ~27 boards.
Step 3: Total boards needed = ~21 boards (16 ft length).
Step 4: Adding 10% waste = 24 boards required.
Step 5: Total linear feet of decking = 24 × 16 = 384 ft.

The calculator instantly provides these numbers, making material planning simple and stress-free.

Benefits of Using the Timbertech Decking Calculator

• Accurate Planning: Prevents under-ordering or over-purchasing.
• Saves Money: Accounts for wastage, helping reduce unnecessary expenses.
• Customizable: Supports different board widths, lengths, and spacing preferences.
• Time-Saving: Instant results without manual math or spreadsheets.
• Professional Results: Creates sharable summaries for contractors and teams.
• Mobile-Friendly: Works seamlessly on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

Key Features

• Adjustable board width and length options
• Gap customization for different deck designs
• Auto-calculated waste percentage (10% standard)
• Deck area and total linear feet estimation
• Copy and share functions for easy communication
• Reset option for multiple project planning

Common Use Cases

• Homeowners – Planning backyard deck upgrades or replacements.
• Contractors – Quickly providing material estimates for client quotes.
• DIY Builders – Ensuring they order the right number of boards.
• Suppliers/Retailers – Helping customers estimate decking needs before purchase.
• Real Estate Projects – Estimating costs for outdoor home improvements.

Tips for Best Results

• Always measure your deck dimensions carefully before input.
• Keep a standard 10% waste allowance, or increase it for complex layouts.
• For patterned designs or angled decking, consider a higher waste factor.
• Double-check supplier board dimensions before ordering.
• Save and share results with your contractor to confirm requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What does the Timbertech Decking Calculator do?
It calculates the number of decking boards needed, factoring in deck size, board size, spacing, and waste.

2. Can I use it for other decking brands?
Yes, as long as you enter accurate board dimensions, it works for any decking brand.

3. What’s the default gap between boards?
The default is 0.13 inches (about 1/8″), which is standard for most decks.

4. Does it include waste in the results?
Yes, it automatically adds a 10% waste allowance for cutting and fitting.

5. Can I change the waste percentage?
Currently, it defaults to 10%. You can manually add more waste if your design requires it.

6. What board sizes does it support?
Standard (5.36″), Wide (5.5″), and Extra Wide (7.25″) in lengths of 12, 16, and 20 ft.

7. Is the tool suitable for angled or patterned decking layouts?
Yes, but you may need to increase the waste percentage for complex patterns.

8. Does the calculator estimate costs?
No, it only provides material quantities. You’ll need to multiply by your supplier’s price.

9. Can I save the results?
Yes, you can copy results to your clipboard or share them directly.

10. Can I use decimals in measurements?
Yes, you can enter fractional feet and gap measurements in decimals.

11. Is the calculator accurate for all deck shapes?
It’s optimized for rectangular decks. For irregular decks, break the space into rectangles and add the totals.

12. Can I access it on my phone?
Yes, it’s mobile-friendly and works on any device.

13. Do I need to download anything?
No, it runs directly in your web browser.

14. Does it include railing, posts, or fasteners?
No, it only calculates decking board requirements.

15. What if I enter invalid values?
The tool will prompt you to correct the input before proceeding.

16. Can I calculate multiple decks at once?
It’s best to calculate one deck at a time, then add totals manually.

17. How do I reset my inputs?
Click the “Reset” button to clear all fields instantly.

18. Is this calculator free to use?
Yes, it’s 100% free and available online.

19. How accurate is it compared to manual calculations?
It’s more accurate since it automatically accounts for board width, gaps, and waste.

20. Who benefits most from using it?
Homeowners, contractors, DIYers, and suppliers all benefit by saving time and avoiding costly mistakes.

Final Thoughts

The Timbertech Decking Calculator is a must-have tool for anyone planning a deck project. It takes the stress out of estimating materials, provides quick and reliable results, and ensures you’re prepared with the right number of boards. Whether you’re a homeowner planning a backyard makeover or a contractor quoting a project, this tool helps you save time, reduce costs, and achieve professional accuracy.

If you’re starting a decking project, try the Timbertech Decking Calculator today—it’s your shortcut to smarter planning and a smoother build.