Question 1

How do you measure a deck from plans?

Accepted Answer

Set the scale, trace the deck area in square metres, then divide by your board width plus gap to get lineal metres of decking and add around 10 percent for cuts. Measure the joist and bearer runs and count posts. MetreMate totals it so you quote by the lineal metre.

Question 2

How many lineal metres of decking do I need from a plan?

Accepted Answer

Take the deck area in square metres and divide by the effective board width (board width plus the gap). For 86mm boards at a 5mm gap that is about 0.091m, so 24 square metres is roughly 264 lineal metres. MetreMate gives you the area straight off the plan.

Question 3

How do you work out joists and bearers from a deck plan?

Accepted Answer

Measure the joist and bearer runs in lineal metres and count them at your spacing (around 450mm for timber, 300mm for composite). MetreMate keeps the totals so your framing order matches the plan.

Question 4

How do I count decking screws or fixings from a plan?

Accepted Answer

Base fixings on the board lineal metres and joist spacing, since each board is fixed at every joist crossing. Work out the number of joist lines from the deck width and spacing, then multiply by the board lineal metres. MetreMate gives you the runs and area, and you apply your fixings per lineal metre rate.

Question 5

How do I estimate posts and footings for a deck?

Accepted Answer

Count the post positions on the plan with the count tool and measure the bearer runs to check post spacing suits the span. MetreMate keeps a live count, so your stumps, post stirrups and footing concrete quantities match the plan, and you add the footing volume by hole size and depth.

Question 6

How do I choose decking wastage for a plan?

Accepted Answer

Allow around 10 percent for a rectangular deck laid straight, and 15 percent or more for angled boards, breaker boards or a picture frame edge where cuts increase. Measure the real deck area in MetreMate first, then apply the wastage that suits the board layout before converting to lineal metres.

Decking board lineal metres from the plan

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