Draw the finished outline
In Shape, start with a rectangle, L shape, or angled preset. Use Draw new outline or Edit corners for a custom shape with 3–24 straight edges. In Edges, you can also add a recess or extension. Type 16ft or 16′ 3 1/2″; bare numbers mean inches. Press Enter or leave the field to apply. Custom-shape walkthrough →
Set the house sides and height
Under Against the house, select every wall edge, including returns. Leave them unchecked for a freestanding deck. Set Deck surface above ground; stair flights share this height. House edges have no level railing. The ledger arrangement is controlled separately in Framing.
Choose the decking and borders
In Decking, choose Straight, Angled or Herringbone. Set the angle or block length, actual board width and thickness, and product-specific gaps. Joint and saw allowances holds the butt gap and kerf. For picture framing, Exposed edges follows the house sides; Full perimeter includes them. Pattern and support walkthrough →
Place stairs and railings
Select a lettered edge, then use Add stairs here for up to four straight flights. Adjust each opening, width, run and rail sides in Edges. For recessed stairs, Post clearance beside deck-return railings separates parallel posts; review the remaining stair width shown in the layout notes. Under Railings, choose wood, aluminum or glass, height, finish, post centres and actual square post width. Different railing on edge lets one side use its own settings.
Match the joists, then generate beams
Enter the decking’s Support-spacing target along boards and press Recalculate framing. This updates joist direction/spacing and pattern backing; existing beams and posts stay for review. In Framing, Generate beams from joists replaces the beam/post layout using the outline and bay target. Use Join beam ends & clean overlaps to remove duplicate rows and join compatible dropped-beam ends at one shared support. Shared compatible support posts are counted once; their connection still needs review. Choose flush or dropped beams, follow an edge or set custom endpoints, then add the backing and sizes your design needs. Framing walkthrough →
Set any dropped-beam cantilever
Choose the joist size and enable Limit cantilevers over dropped beams. Enter an overhang, then Apply cantilever, or use Use maximum. The tool moves eligible perimeter dropped beams and shortens overhangs where the backspan requires it. Flush beams stay in place. Review the current length checks after any layout change. Read the limits and measurement basis →
Inspect the plan and the 3D model
In Framing plan, select a joist for clear spans and overhangs, or a beam for post spacing. Open 3D view and switch between Finished deck and Framing. Blue framing uses placeholder sizes; enter member and footing sizes to replace them. Save render downloads a PNG. 3D and railing walkthrough →
Keep an editable copy
Use Download project to save the editable design and Open project to resume. Print plan prints the drawings and layout details. Browser recovery stays on this device. These actions need no account; a PNG or printed PDF cannot be reopened as a project.
Optional member estimates
Approved members can use Purchase list to review decking, whole framing boards, support posts and railing assemblies. Set framing stock lengths and spares, enter supplier prices, and attach product codes, links and quote dates. Railing sections include rails and infill; their posts are priced separately. Have the supplier confirm glass sizes and kit contents. Add hardware and supplies excluded from those quotes. Download CSV exports the order. Open Numbered cuts & stock comparisons for the detailed board calculator. Download your project to keep the entered prices and supplier notes with the design.
Request a quoteDeck designer
Shape the deck, plan framing, stairs and railings, then explore it in 3D.
Quick startShape, framing, railings & 3D
Untitled deck
Select S1–S4 to edit stairs. Drag an edge label to resize. Drag the grid to pan. Grid: 1 ft.
Edit the outline, decking, stairs, railings and framing above. Download a project to keep an editable copy, or print the current plan.
Review the layout
Layout details.
Layout notes
- Decking pattern
- Straight · across
- Overall footprint
- 16′ 0″ × 12′ 0″
- Deck height
- 3′ 0″
- House sides
- Edge A
- Picture frame
- 1 row · exposed edges
- Level railing
- 40′ 0″ across 3 sections
- Stairs
- None placed
Layout checks (2)
- Provide the required backing under picture-frame boards and field-board ends. Border corners are long-point blanks: fit the mitres and required corner gaps on site.
- Provide the required backing under picture-frame boards and field-board ends. Border corners are long-point blanks: fit the mitres and required corner gaps on site.
Planning layout and decking estimate. Framing positions and dimensions can be entered in the Framing tab. Member capacity, connections, foundation design and building-code compliance require project-specific verification.
Railing layout · 8 posts · 7 sections
Level and stair sections share corner posts where they meet. Layout quantities exclude mounting hardware and stock allowances.
Material lists & estimates
Whole-board purchase lists, supplier prices, railing estimates and CSV exports are optional member tools. Design, save and print your deck without an account.
Your deck, on paper.
A coordinated drawing package for this saved design revision. The customer preview shows three sheets; the sample PDF shows a complete example set.
- Dimensioned footprint, recess and stair-placement layout
- Joist layout with first mark, O.C. spacing and member coordinates
- Beam, post and footing centre schedule
- Decking pattern, joint positions and exact board cutting allocation
- Framing runs and whole-board material quantities
- 11 x 17 in vector PDF and editable project snapshot
Dimensioned layout and material reference drawings for one saved design revision. Member sizes are user-entered, not structurally verified. Foundation design, soil and frost requirements, connections, bracing, stair construction and permit approval require project-specific details. Not an engineered or permit-ready plan set.
My drawing packages →Correct the project inputs before generating drawings: Create a framing layout in Design > Framing.
Deck designer guides
From the first corner to the framing plan.
Work through custom outlines, decking patterns, supports and 3D views without an account. Member guides also cover material purchase lists, prices and supplier quotes.
Draw a custom deck
Use recesses, angled edges and extensions to solve access and space problems, while understanding the extra framing, railing and cutting they create.
Read guidePlan decking patterns
Compare straight, diagonal and herringbone decking by appearance, support, cutting effort and the number of joints that must be built well.
Read guideLay out the framing
Understand why you might choose flush or dropped beams, a ledger or freestanding support, and how those choices affect clearance, connections and footings.
Read guideSet dropped-beam cantilevers
Understand when a joist overhang can help position a deck edge, what it asks of the backspan and connections, and why more overhang is not always better.
Read guideExplore the deck in 3D
Use plan, framing and 3D views to answer different questions about a deck, including sightlines, awkward junctions and whether the chosen layout can be built.
Read guideEstimate railings & record quotes
Compare railing systems by complete assemblies, useful panel sizes and installation details, so supplier quotes cover the same finished guard.
Read guide