Does your family want to turn the grassy yard into a place for games, cards, or whatever else? Do you want to create a place for relaxing and spend family time outdoors? A 16×16 deck is easy to build and can serve both purposes.
Have you ever tried to build a 16×16 deck? Chances are, you didn’t finish the project. Most people don’t finish building their 16×16 deck for 2 reasons… It takes a lot of hard work to build a 16×16 deck, and most people aren’t willing to do the work. Building a 16×16 deck is boring, and it’s really hard to keep yourself motivated when working on such a small project. Since I know that building a small wooden deck can take months or even years to complete, I find it helpful to have a goal in mind. My goal is to make my 16×16 deck bigger..
How to build a 16×16 deck
You’ll need about 250 board feet of pressure-treated southern pine (or similar material) for the joists and support beams. The joists should be 2x8s or 2x10s, while the beams are typically built from 2x10s or 2x12s. You’ll also need 4×4 posts, which act as vertical supports for the beams that span between them.
The cost of building a deck depends on whether you hire someone else to do it or do it yourself. If you hire someone, expect to pay at least $2.50 per square foot (including installation). You can save money by doing it yourself – but note that this may require significant time investment, as well as some experience with tools and construction techniques.
A 16×16 deck is a very large deck. If you are planning on building such a deck, you will need to consider a few things. One of the most important considerations is how much lumber you will need.
How much lumber do I need to build a 16×16 deck
The amount of lumber required to build a 16×16 deck depends on several factors such as the type of wood used, the height and length of the joists, and whether or not it will have a rail around it. For example, if you use pressure treated wood for your joists, then each one will require about four pieces of lumber (4 x 8 foot). If you use cedar boards instead, then each one will require about three pieces (3 x 6 foot). You’ll also need some 2x4s for the headers which run between joists and 4×4 posts that support an overhang above your doorways.
The cost of building a 16×16 wood deck depends on many factors such as the materials used, whether or not you hire help with labor and what kind of design you want for your new deck. If you want to build this type
The amount of lumber you need to build a deck depends on many factors. First, you need to know what type of wood you want to use and how it will be cut. Most residential decks are made from 2×6 or 2×8 boards nailed together, so that’s the best place to start. If you plan to use pressure-treated wood, which has been chemically treated with preservatives to resist rot and insect damage, you’ll need to factor in the extra cost of treating each piece of lumber before installation. The cost of the materials varies depending on where you live and what type of wood you choose but here’s an example:
If you live in a large city like New York City and decide on pressure-treated southern yellow pine (SYP), which is often used for decks because it resists rot better than most other types of wood, your material costs would look like this:
Lumber: 8′ long 2x6x8′ SYP southern yellow pine boards ($10 per board) = $80
Treated Lumber: 1 4″ x 4″ x 8′ pressure treated (PT) southern yellow pine post ($20 per post) = $
Building a 16×16 deck is a fairly straightforward process, but it will require some planning and some specialized tools. This guide will take you through the steps to build your own 16×16 deck.
What You’ll Need:
* Square
* Circular saw or miter saw with a carbide blade (for cutting wood)
* Drill/driver with screw bits and bits for any other materials you’ll be attaching to your deck (nails, screws, etc.)
* 2″ x 6″ pressure-treated lumber for joists
* 1″ x 4″ pressure-treated lumber for joists (optional)
* 2″ x 4″ pressure-treated lumber for posts and footings (optional)
The cost to build a 16×16 deck will vary greatly depending on the materials you use and the complexity of your project. A basic deck can be built for under $1,000 or as much as $4,000 or more for a more elaborate design.
In this article we’ll look at what factors influence the cost of building a deck and how to get the best deal on your project.
Cost of Materials
Materials are one of the biggest factors that affect the cost of building a deck.
The most common types of wood used in decks include:
• pressure-treated lumber (PT) is inexpensive but not recommended if you plan on staining your deck since it is treated with chemicals that will leach out over time and stain your other wood surfaces such as fences or porches. However, PT is ideal if you plan on painting your deck because it has been chemically treated to resist rot and decay while still allowing paint to adhere well;
• cedar is a beautiful choice but also expensive;
• redwood is durable but tends to be more expensive than other woods;
• composite materials like fiberglass or plastic are lightweight but can easily crack from movement so they’re not
a 16×16 deck is about as big as you can get. The total cost will depend on your materials and how much of the work you want to do yourself. If you hire a contractor, expect to spend between $10,000 and $20,000. A DIY project could cut that price in half or more.
How much does it cost to build a 16×16 wood deck
The average cost of building a wood deck is between $9-$15 per square foot installed (source). So if you have an area of 1,600 square feet (160′), then the total cost would be between $12,960 and $22,400 depending on what type of material you use. If you want to increase the longevity of your deck by using higher grade materials such as pressure treated lumber or composite boards, then expect those costs to go up accordingly.
Do I need a permit?
Yes! A permit is required in most municipalities before any construction can begin so make sure you check with them first before starting your project!
You should plan on using about 4,000 to 5,000 board feet of lumber to build a 16×16 deck. The cost of this project will vary depending on the type of lumber you choose. In general, Douglas fir is the most expensive wood and cedar is the least expensive. You can expect to pay $3 to $4 per square foot for pressure-treated wood and $5 to $6 per square foot for composite decking materials.
The cost of labor for this project varies widely depending on where you live and how much experience your contractor has in building decks. You can expect to pay at least $10 per hour for labor costs when hiring a contractor who specializes in building decks.
It takes about three days to build a 16×16 deck from start to finish if you have all of your materials ready at once. If you’re doing some of the work yourself and subcontracting out other aspects of construction, then it could take up to five days or longer before you can move into your new home improvement project!
materials needed for 16×16 deck
lumber
decking boards: 1/2″ thick x 4′ long cedar or pressure treated (4-6 boards per run)
deck screws: 1″ x 2 1/2″ wood screws (1 box per run)
stainable deck stain or sealer (1 gallon per 100 sq ft.)
You should be able to build a 16×16 deck for around $2,000. Materials include:
Wood
The most common type of wood used in decks is pressure treated pine. It’s what most builders use because it’s relatively inexpensive and easy to work with. Pressure treated pine can also be stained or painted (although some people don’t like the idea of using it). The pressure treatment means that the wood will last longer before rotting. If you’re looking for a more upscale look, you might consider cedar or redwood instead. These types of wood are harder to work with and more expensive, but they will last much longer than pressure treated pine and they look great when stained or left natural.
Joists
Joists are the beams that support your deck flooring. They typically come in 8-foot lengths and are spaced at 16 inches on center (OOC). You’ll need enough joists to span from one end of your deck to the other plus an additional 2 feet so that you can attach them to posts at each corner of your deck. You’ll also need material for blocking between joists (see below).
Materials needed for a 16×16 deck:
Material Cost
2×4 pressure treated lumber (10′ lengths) $8.00 each
4×4 pressure treated lumber (10′ lengths) $16.00 each
2×6 pressure treated lumber (10′ lengths) $17.00 each
1″x6″ galvanized screen wire $15.00 per roll of 50′ length
Deck screws (galvanized) $7.50 per box of 500.