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How To Build An Inexpensive Deck

What is the cheapest material to build a deck with?

Pressure-treated wood, or chemical-treated wood, decks are generally the cheapest material to build decks with. For up-front savings, that seems great, but don’t forget long-term costs.

What is the most inexpensive way to build a deck?

Choose wood, but carefully: Untreated wood decks are generally the cheapest to install, but don’t forget long-term costs. Wood decks require yearly maintenance and deteriorate quickly if they don’t get it.

How much does a 12×12 deck cost?

Cost To Build A Deck By Size Deck Size Square Feet Average Cost 8×10 80 $1,200 – $2,800 10×10 100 $1,500 – $3,500 10×12 120 $1,800 – $4,200 12×12 144 $2,160 – $5,040.

Is it cheaper to build your own deck?

When you construct a basic deck with the least expensive lumber on the market, you will probably pay between $8-10 for every square foot of area if you build it yourself. But, if you hire someone to build it, you could end up paying as much as $25 per square foot.

What is the cheapest type of decking?

Wood decking is the most affordable, which is the primary choice of many homeowners. However, many have noticed that wood deckings are high-maintenance, which over time become more expensive due to upkeep costs. Plastic and composite decking have similar price ranges, the latter being slightly more expensive.

What is the cheapest deck?

Pressure Treated Wood Is a Solid, Cheap Decking Material. The most economical decking material, by far, is pressure treated wood. Pressure treated wood is superior to regular wood because it has been infused with chemicals that help it resist decay and rot, as well as damage from certain types of insects.

Whats cheaper flagging or decking?

Decking is more affordable, quicker to install but doesn’t last very long. Paving slabs can be pricier, take longer to install but require little-to-no maintenance and will last for a long time.

What is a floating deck?

A floating deck is a deck that isn’t attached to a building and they “float” above the ground. Generally, floating decks are low to the ground and don’t require handrails or even staircases. They are sometimes called “grade-level” or “freestanding” decks because they’re built just above the ground level, or grade.

How many boards do I need for a 12×12 deck?

You will need 18 boards of 2-by-6-inch lumber or nine 2-by-10 inch boards to build the joists, also known as the beams. You should purchase an additional 25 percent wood to allow for framing pieces and waste.

How much does it cost to build a deck DIY?

How much does it cost to build a deck? For basic deck designs using the least expensive lumber, you can expect to pay from about $8 to $10 per square foot (depending on the material) of deck area if you do the work yourself or pay about $30 per square foot if the material is professionally installed.

How many decking boards do I need for a 10×10 deck?

For a 10×10 square deck, you would therefore need twenty-two 10′ deck boards. Dimensions for deck boards can vary depending on the look you want and the deck board type you use. However, the most common is a 5/4” thick by 6” wide deck board of any length.

Can one person build a deck?

It may seem overwhelming at first, but if you have the time and a solid understanding of basic construction principles, you can build a pretty incredible deck all on your own. Just keep in mind that while a DIY deck project might be a great option for some, it’s not the solution for everyone.

Can I build decking myself?

Before you commit yourself to the build, it’s a good idea to do a dry run of the decking first as you don’t want to finish the last row with a thin slither of deck board. Lay out the joist frame and position the deck boards on top, creating the necessary deck board expansion gaps.

Can you DIY a deck?

Deck construction is not as hard as you might think, and if you follow some basic guidelines it can be a great DIY project. Decks are built to add living space to a home and every one of them should be built nice and level.

What can I build instead of a deck?

The rest in the list, while an option, aren’t terribly popular. Composite Decking. There are many options other than natural wood for a deck. PVC Decking. Source: Home Depot. Vinyl Decking Systems. Aluminum Decking. Vinyl Tiles. Bamboo Decking. Rubber Paver Tiles. Interlocking Grass Deck Tiles.

What can I use instead of wooden decking?

10 Solid Alternatives to Wood Decking Bamboo Decking. Bamboo is a common material today, used for many different products due to its strength and durability, as well as its ability to withstand moisture. Composite Decking. Plastic Lumbar. Aluminum Decking. Interlocking Deck Tiles. Silca System Decking. Vinyl. Rice Hull Decking.

Is Trex cheaper than wood?

An obstacle for Trex is that composites cost a lot more than natural wooden decking. By Trex’s estimates, for a 16- by 20-foot deck, the materials outlay for its Transcend line are $2,714, almost five times that of regular wood ($577).