Construction
Deck Board Calculator
How many deck boards do you actually need? With or without the 1/8" gap, accounting for waste and screws.
FAQ
Why 1/8" gap? +
For drainage and expansion. Pressure-treated boards shrink as they dry; tropical hardwoods and composites move with temperature. Typical gap is 1/8" to 1/4".
How many screws per board? +
2 per joist contact point. So an 8-ft board crossing 6 joists at 16" o.c. needs ~12 screws. Bump to 3 per joist for composite boards.