Why is materials estimate way out of whack?

[hoss75]

My materials estimate is telling me I need 1361 2x6x16s for my deck design! According to my own numbers I should need something like 113 2x6x12s. Am I way off or is the program way off? I've attached my plan image and the materials list.

[Kilgore Trout]

That's not a count of boards. That's lineal feet of 16 footers.

[hoss75]

Ahh, ok that makes more sense. Is there any way to make it show the count in actual boards?

[Kilgore Trout]

Just divide the number of lineal feet by 16 to get your number of boards. Or if you are going to by 12 footers, then divide by 12...

[hoss75]

Just divide the number of lineal feet by 16 to get your number of boards. Or if you are going to by 12 footers, then divide by 12...

That'll be a very rough estimate, but it's probably what I"m gonna do and then just add 10% for waste.

[Dan Park]

Decking is typically estimated in lineal feet. The program does not calculate waste only the actual length used. You will need to factor waste in using your own estimates.

[Larry]

Ahh, ok that makes more sense. Is there any way to make it show the count in actual boards?

I found I could put prices on them. $1 per foot where shown in feet and $16 per board where the length was shown in 16 footers. The total cost is the number of feet you need. You will need to add about 10% wastage. You can always pick up a few extras later and some will let you return the excess (send back ugly stuff)

DON'T LET IT SIT IN THE SUN. You will increase your wastage by about 60%.

The reason they bundle it tight is to keep it from drying out, not to keep it straight. Get it nailed down before it gets dried out!

[rtreads]

USE EVERGRAIN. No drying out problems there.