Question 1

How do I calculate how many deck boards I need?

Accepted Answer

Multiply the deck area by 2.13 to get linear feet of board, then divide into your stock lengths. That figure assumes a 5-1/2 in board at a 1/8 in gap (12 / 5.625 = 2.13), so use your manufacturer's gap. A 320 sq ft deck needs about 683 LF before waste. Add your waste, more for diagonal or picture-frame borders.

Question 2

How far apart should deck joists be?

Accepted Answer

Composite decking laid straight typically calls for joists at 16 in on center at most, and 12 in on center for a 45 degree diagonal layout. Check your decking manufacturer's install guide and local code, because they govern. MetreMate gives you the ledger and beam lengths, then you apply the spacing your decking requires.

Question 3

How do I count joists from the plan?

Accepted Answer

Divide the ledger length in inches by the joist spacing, then add one. A 16 ft ledger is 192 inches, and 192 / 16 = 12, plus 1 makes 13 joists at 16 in on center. Measure the ledger with the Measure tool, then add any doubled joists or blocking your framing plan shows.

Question 4

How do I take off railing and fascia?

Accepted Answer

Trace the deck outline with the Area tool and read its perimeter for rim joist and fascia footage. Then measure railing with the Measure tool along every open edge and stair, leaving out the side against the house. Count rail posts and stair treads with Count, so the whole edge of the deck is on the material list.

Question 5

Can I measure a deck drawn on a plot plan or a hand sketch?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Scan the sketch or plot plan to PDF, upload it, and use Manual Scale to calibrate off one known dimension, such as the ledger length or a labeled property line. Click both ends and enter the length. Everything you measure after that reads in sq ft and linear feet, as accurate as the drawing you started from.

Question 6

Is it free to try?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can start on the free plan with no credit card, and there is a 7-day trial of the paid features. MetreMate runs in any modern browser on a Windows or Mac computer, so there is nothing to install. Upload a deck plan, trace the surface and see the square feet and linear feet for yourself.

Deck takeoffs: boards, joists and railing off the plan

The slow way, or the smart way

Everything you can measure off the plan

Lengths in linear feet

Areas in sq ft

Perimeters

Counts

How deck builders use MetreMate

Decking square feet to linear feet

Framing: joists, beams and ledger

Railing, fascia and stairs

More than measuring

Auto Scale

Manual Scaling

Auto Snap

Layers Manager

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Questions deck builders ask

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