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Decking Board Spacing Calculator

Calculate the number of boards needed and gap spacing for a deck project. Input board width, deck length, and gap size.

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Applications

Used by DIY builders planning a deck, by contractors estimating lumber needs, and by homeowners comparing composite vs wood decking board counts.

The Formula

Number of Boards = ceil(Deck Length in inches / (Board Width + Gap Size)). Total Coverage = (Number of Boards × Board Width) + (Gap Count × Gap Size). With waste factor applied: Linear Feet Needed = Number of Boards × Deck Length × (1 + Waste % / 100).

Fun Fact: The term 'deck' for a platform predates card games — it comes from the nautical term for a ship's floor, dating back to at least the 1500s.

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