1. What is a Linear Feet Calculator for Decking?

Definition: This calculator converts square footage to linear feet based on deck board width.

Purpose: It helps determine how many linear feet of decking material is needed for a given area.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( LF \) — Linear feet of decking needed
• \( SQFT \) — Total square footage of deck area
• \( BW \) — Width of individual deck boards in feet

Explanation: The square footage is divided by the board width to determine how many linear feet of boards are required.

3. Importance of Linear Feet Calculation

Details: Accurate linear feet calculation ensures proper material ordering, minimizes waste, and helps with project budgeting.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total deck area in square feet and the width of your deck boards in feet (default 0.25 ft for 3-inch boards). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How do I measure board width?
A: Measure the actual width of your deck boards in feet (convert inches to feet by dividing by 12).

Q2: Should I include gaps between boards?
A: No, this calculation assumes boards are installed without gaps. For spaced boards, adjust the board width to include gap spacing.

Q3: What's a typical deck board width?
A: Common widths are 3.5 inches (0.292 ft) or 5.5 inches (0.458 ft) for dimensional lumber.

Q4: Does this account for waste or cutting?
A: No, add 5-15% to your total for waste depending on deck complexity.

Q5: How does this differ from square footage?
A: Square footage measures area while linear feet measures length - important when purchasing materials sold by length.