So the season has come. Spring is in the air and you’re now ready to make good on that playhouse you promised to build for the kids. You take a look over your backyard and evaluate your options.
For most properties, an island platform to support their playhouse isn’t necessary, as most sheds and playhouses are built on near level terrain. A few cinder blocks or layer of gravel is enough to flatten out the grade.
Stage 1: Digging the Openings
- Number of Openings: 4
- Width of Each Opening: 12 inches
Stage 2: Introducing the Posts
- Number of Posts: 4
- Post Size: 8 feet (4×4)
Stage 3: Scoring the Posts
- Marking Tool: Water Level
- Score Size: 1 ½ inches by 9 ½ inches
Stage 4: Bars
- Base Material: 2x10x16
- Number of Pieces: 2
- Cut Length for Each Piece: 13 feet
Stage 5: Joists
- Base Material: 2x8x12
- Number of Pieces: 12
- Cut Length for 10 Pieces: 11 feet 9 inches
- Cut Length for 2 Pieces: 12 feet
Stage 6: Decking
- Decking Sheets Needed: 25
- Decking Sheet Length: 12 feet
- Spacing Between Decking Sheets: ¼ inch
Stage 7: Passage Ladder
- Main Material: 2x6x12
- Exact Cuts Needed: 1 (length to be adjusted based on final deck height)
Stage 8: Railing Posts
- Base Material: 4x4x8
- Number of Posts to Cut: 12
Stage 9: Rails
- Base Material: 2x4x12
- Number of Rails to Cut: 6
Stage 10: Balusters
- Base Material: 2x2x36
- Number of Balusters Needed: 72
- Cut Length for Each Baluster: 32 inches
- Spacing Between Balusters: 5 inches on center
Before starting your project, check local building codes and obtain necessary permits. Ensure compliance with safety regulations as balcony structures are often subjected to specific requirements similar to deck constructions.
12×12 Deck Cost Comparison: PT Wood vs. Composite DIY
🛠 What This Is About
- Comparing costs for a 12×12 deck (144 ft²) using pressure-treated (PT) wood or composite decking.
- This is a DIY project, so no labor costs, just materials.
- We’ll calculate based on your steps and recent web data.
🧱 How It Works
- A deck is a structure that is elevated from the ground and usually attached to a home.
- PT wood is cheaper upfront but needs regular maintenance.
- Composite decking costs more initially but requires less upkeep.
- We’ll estimate material costs for decking boards, factoring in waste.
📋 Materials or Tools Needed
- Materials:
- 📌 Decking boards (PT wood or composite, 8 ft x 0.5 ft)
- 📌 Fasteners (screws for PT, screws or hidden clips for composite)
- 📌 PT lumber for substructure (joists, beams, posts)
- 📌 Concrete for footings
- Tools (as you listed):
- 📌 Pencils
- 📌 Reciprocating saw
- 📌 Measuring tape
- 📌 Speed square
- 📌 Hammer
- 📌 Drill and/or impact driver
- 📌 Circular saw
- 📌 Sander
- 📌 Jig saw (optional)
- 📌 Miter saw (optional)
- 📌 Chalk line (optional)
- 📌 Compass (optional)
⚙ Step-by-Step Cost Calculation
- Calculate deck square footage: 12 ft × 12 ft = 144 ft².
- Choose board size: 8 ft long x 0.5 ft wide = 4 ft² per board.
- Calculate boards needed: 144 ft² / 4 ft² × 1.1 (10% waste) = 39.6, rounded to 40 boards.
- Estimate PT wood cost:
- PT lumber: $1.25–$5.60 per linear foot.
- For 8 ft boards: $10–$44.80 per board.
- 40 boards: $400–$1,792.
- Average cost: $3.43/linear ft → $27.44/board → $1,097.60 for 40 boards.
- Estimate composite cost:
- Composite decking: $2.90–$6 per linear foot.
- For 8 ft boards: $23.20–$48 per board.
- 40 boards: $928–$1,920.
- Average cost: $4.45/linear ft → $35.60/board → $1,424 for 40 boards.
- Add fasteners:
- PT: Face screws (~$0.10 each, ~2 screws/board/ft, 640 screws) → ~$64.
- Composite: Hidden clips (~$0.50 each, same count) → ~$320 or color-matched screws (~$0.15 each) → ~$96.
- Substructure (same for both): PT lumber for joists, beams, posts (~$500–$800 for 144 ft² deck).
- Total estimated costs:
- PT: $1,097.60 (boards) + $64 (screws) + $650 (substructure, avg) = ~$1,811.60.
- Composite: $1,424 (boards) + $96 (screws) + $650 (substructure) = ~$2,170.
✅ Pros and Cons
| Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| PT Wood | ✅ Cheaper upfront ($1,811.60) ✅ Natural wood look | ⚠ Needs yearly staining/sealing ($451/year) ⚠ Warps, splinters |
| Composite | ✅ Low maintenance (wash twice/year) ✅ Lasts 25–50 years | ⚠ Higher cost ($2,170) ⚠ Can feel “plasticky” |
🔍 Compared with Similar Methods
| Feature | PT Wood | Composite |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (144 ft²) | 🟢 ~$1,811.60 | 🔴 ~$2,170 |
| Maintenance | 🔴 High (stain, seal yearly) | 🟢 Low (wash 2x/year) |
| Lifespan | 🟡 15 years | 🟢 25–50 years |
| Look | 🟢 Natural wood | 🟡 Mimics wood |
💡 Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠ Not adding 10% waste to board count.
- ⚠ Using low-grade PT wood (warps faster).
- ⚠ Skipping joist tape to protect substructure.
- ⚠ Ignoring local building codes.
👷 Who Should Use This
- PT Wood: DIYers on a tight budget who don’t mind yearly upkeep.
- Composite: Homeowners wanting a low-maintenance deck for long-term use.
🧰 Expert Tips
- PT wood is a familiar product for pros and DIYers that won’t break the bank.
- Use kiln-dried PT lumber to reduce splitting.
- For composite, grooved boards with hidden clips install faster.
- Apply joist tape to PT substructure to extend life.
📌 Quick Facts
- Deck size: 144 ft².
- Boards needed: 40 (8 ft x 0.5 ft).
- PT cost: ~$1,811.60.
- Composite cost: ~$2,170.
- Price difference: ~$358.40 (~20% more for composite).
📊 Visual Cost Breakdown
| Item | PT Wood | Composite |
|---|---|---|
| 📏 Decking Boards | $1,097.60 | $1,424 |
| 🔩 Fasteners | $64 | $96 |
| 🏗 Substructure | $650 | $650 |
| 💰 Total | $1,811.60 | $2,170 |
The process in pictures
The most popular porch designs are Free-standing, Retractable and Porch-on-house, but if you want to make your outdoor living space stand out with an elegant touch, you can add a second story balcony to an existing deck.
What is the algorithm behind the decking calculator? – Here is an idea
Take a look at the following example if you are interested in learning the equations that are used by the deck cost calculator or if you wish to calculate the cost on your own:
If you want a deck that is 20 feet long and 13 feet broad, let’s say you want it. Simply multiplying the two values together will allow you to determine the total square footage of the deck:
20 feet times 13 feet equals 260 feet squared.
You decided to go with a board that is eight feet long and inches wide. The breadth can be converted from inches to feet by simply dividing the amount by 12 or as follows:
6 inches divided by 12 equals half a foot
Determine the total area of one decking board by using the following formula:
8 ft × 0.5 ft = 4 ft²
We are now able to determine the quantity of decking boards that are required. In order to account for waste, we divide the deck square footage by the board square footage and then add 10% to the result:
260 ft²/ 4 ft² × 1.1 = 71.5
We will want 72 boards, therefore let’s round up the result (it is preferable to have more than less).
For the purpose of determining the quantity of screws (or nails) required, we adhere to the rule of thumb that states that you require 350 screws for every 100 square feet of decking. It is possible to determine that we require 3.5 screws for every square foot of space if we divide those figures by 100.
When compared to the total number of square feet of decking, this indicates that the number of screws is three and a half times more. The equation would be as follows:
s equals 3.5 times d, or s equals 7/2 times d.
Simply multiply the total square footage of your deck by 7/2 to determine the number of screws you will need:
7/2 multiplied by 260 equals 910
Select a pack that has the number of screws that is closest to the value that we computed (keep in mind that you need to have more than you need, rather than less).
One thousand is the closest figure that our distributor comes up with in a pack, and the price for that pack is $98.
If you choose to use hidden fasteners, you will require fifty percent of the total number of screws:
7/4 multiplied by 260 equals 455
In this particular instance, the concealed fasteners that we require are offered in a pack of five hundred.
We need to multiply the price of one board by the entire number of boards in order to get an accurate estimate of the overall cost of the circuit boards. If the price of one board is seven dollars:
72 multiplied by $7 equals $504
These boards will set you back $504.
Add the cost of the pack of screws to the cost of the boards, and we will have an accurate estimate of the cost of decking:
The sum of $504 and $98 equals $602
The whole price of deck flooring is sixty-two dollars.
Additional expenditures
However, the deck material calculator does not take into account all of the prices. You might require the following items:
Substructure: The cost of the substructure is determined by the size of your deck as well as the type of wood that you select.
In order to construct a deck, you might be required to obtain a permit from your city.
In order to construct a raised deck, you will require stairs, railings, or balusters from the decking material. Using our spindle spacing calculator, you can determine how many balusters and spindles you require as well as the amount of space that should be left between each pair of spindles.
If you would like to alter the colour of your deck, you may always paint it. Using some straightforward area calculations, you will be able to ascertain the quantity of stain that is required for your deck.
Labour is the cost of employing a professional to construct a deck for you if you do not choose to construct it yourself.