Deck Board Sizes report
Building a deck is a great way to identify your outdoor living space and extend the use and enjoyment of your personal green space. Various manufacturers produce a wide range of different deck boards in the wooden board market. Although they range in quality, design, and material, there is a common standard for their deck board size.
Are you ready to build or resurface a deck but don't know what deck board dimensions are right for your plan? Selecting the right size deck board isn't just a matter of cost; there are other factors to consider. No one wants to build a bumpy outdoor area.
Deck board size and spacing are extremely important steps in building a deck. Wood decking is produced specifically for decking. Most manufacturers offer composite decking boards in 12', 16', and 20' lengths. The width varies by brand and style. This post lists common deck board dimensions you should know.
Deck Board Size Guide
Common deck board widths are 4", 6" and 8". The widths are readily available in most lumber or building supply stores, and the number of pieces is easily calculated into deck dimensions. Width is the vital dimension of deck boards. In many cases, a deck's overall looks and cost efficiency depend on the deck board's width you used. 2x4 and 2x6 are thicker and stronger, which provide a more solid and safer surface, and they also tend to be more expensive than a 5/4 board of the same width.
No matter what material you decide to use, the wider the decking board, the greater expansion, and contraction will occur. To avoid having too much or too little gapping between boards, you need to be keenly aware of this. Do not worry. Almost all manufacturers have detailed instructions about installing the decking, no matter what type. They also usually recommend the best fasteners to use.
Common Deck Board Dimensions
Common deck board widths are 4", 6" and 8". The nominal dimensions of lumber are commonly based on the rough cut size before being planned smoothly on all four faces. Dimensional lumber is what is produced by planning the rough cut lumber smooth.
| Nominal Dimensions (Thickness x Width) | Actual Dimensions (Thickness x Width) |
|---|---|
| 5/4 x 6 | 1" x 5½" |
| 2 x 4 | 1½" x 3½" |
| 2 x 6 | 1½" x 5½" |
| 2 x 8 | 1½" x 7½" |
Common Deck Board Thickness
Decking boards should provide a solid surface to keep people from falling through between joists and support people's weight and furniture between the joists. If the board is too thin for the span, it will feel spongy or bouncy. The thickness is incredibly important for people choosing deck boards to build an outdoor deck. The thickness of the deck board, on average, should be about 5/4" and 2".
Common Deck Board Lengths
Deck board lengths differ with the size of the homeowner's deck project. The usual board sizes available are 6ft, 12ft, 16ft, and 20ft. Mathematically, one foot or 12-inches is divisible by 1-2-3-4-6-12, making the number of planks to cover a deck surface easier to calculate.
Using full-length deck boards ensures that the panels fit perfectly with the joists, and when the deck boards are secured, the risk of rotting, splintering, and swelling can be avoided. Planks of 8 and 10-inch width are more costly per plank and square-foot coverage than smaller widths and are less frequently used.
