What You Need to Know Before Designing Your Deck Layout Creating build plans is one of the most important steps in any deck project. Before you buy materials or start digging footings, you need a clear, accurate layout that shows how the entire structure will come together. To break it down, we walked through the process with licensed contractor Adam Trenter, who shared how he approaches planning a deck from the ground up. Start With the Homeowner’s Needs Before any measurements or drawings begin, it’s important to understand how the space will be used. This includes identifying what worked or didn’t work with the existing deck, whether the footprint should stay the same, and what changes the homeowners want to make. Clarifying these goals ensures the final design supports how the deck will function day‑to‑day.Once the layout goals are set, the existing footprint can be measured. In this example, the new deck will be built in the same location as the old one, 33 feet wide, 25 feet out from the house, and sitting roughly 30 inches above grade. Choose Your Materials Before You Draw Anything Material selection plays a major role in how the layout comes together. For this build, the plan uses: Deckorators decking Owens Corning structural composite lumber Composite framing offers consistent dimensions, unlike pressure‑treated lumber, which can vary by up to ⅜ inch depending on moisture. Consistency makes planning easier and results in a straighter, more reliable structure. Lay Out Your Pilings to Scale Drawing the deck to scale, whether on paper or a digital tablet, it makes it easier to visualize spacing and count components accurately. For this deck: Pilings are spaced 6.5 feet on center The full layout requires about 29 pilings All pilings will be 6×6 posts A scaled drawing eliminates guesswork and ensures the material list matches the actual build. Determine Decking Direction First The direction of the decking dictates the direction of the framing. For this build: The decking will run horizontal to the house That means the stringers (joists) run perpendicular The cross‑bucks (lowest framing members) run in the same direction as the decking Choosing the decking direction early helps avoid layout mistakes and keeps the finished deck looking clean. Calculate How Many Stringers You Need Here’s the math used to determine the number of stringers: Deck width: 33 ft x 12 = 396 inches Standard joist spacing in Florida: 16 inches on center 396/16 = 24.75 --> round to 25 Add one more because you always start and end with a joist Total stringers needed: 26 This simple calculation helps homeowners understand how framing quantities are determined. Tips for Homeowners Creating Their First Deck Plans A simple approach works best All you need is: A pencil A ruler A piece of paper From there: Draw your pilings Decide your decking direction Draw your cross‑bucks Add your stringers perpendicular to the decking Keeping everything to scale allows you to count components directly from your drawing, no guessing, no estimating. Next Step: Build Your Material List A material list should always come after the deck plans are complete. A scaled drawing lets you count every component right from the page, which makes ordering quick and accurate. Ready to Start Planning Your Deck? We Can Help Whether you're building a simple platform deck or a full outdoor living space, having a solid plan is the key to getting it right. At The Deck Store, we carry the decking, framing materials, fasteners, and expert guidance you need to build with confidence. Explore materials, compare options, or start planning your project at Deckstore.com.