1. What is the Bunnings Deck Calculator?

The Bunnings Deck Calculator helps Australian homeowners and builders estimate the number of decking boards required for a decking project, accounting for material waste and standard Bunnings Australia deck board sizes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the deck board calculation formula:

Where:

• \( N \) — Number of boards required
• \( \text{Deck Area} \) — Total area to be decked (square meters)
• \( \text{Board Length} \) — Length of individual deck board (meters)
• \( \text{Board Width} \) — Width of individual deck board (meters)
• \( \text{Waste Percentage} \) — Additional percentage for cutting waste and errors

Explanation: The formula calculates the minimum number of boards needed to cover the deck area, then adds a waste factor to account for cutting errors and material imperfections common in decking projects.

3. Importance of Accurate Deck Board Calculation

Details: Accurate board calculation ensures you purchase the right amount of materials, minimizes waste, stays within budget, and avoids project delays due to material shortages. This is particularly important for Australian conditions where decking materials can be expensive.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Measure your deck area accurately in square meters. Use standard Bunnings Australia deck board dimensions (typically 2.4m, 3.6m, or 5.4m lengths). Include 10-15% waste factor for standard projects, or 15-20% for complex designs with many cuts.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are standard deck board sizes at Bunnings Australia?
A: Common sizes include 90mm x 19mm, 140mm x 19mm in lengths of 2.4m, 3.6m, and 5.4m. Always check current stock at your local Bunnings.

Q2: How much waste percentage should I allow?
A: For simple rectangular decks, 10% is usually sufficient. For complex shapes with many cuts, allow 15-20%. For very complex designs, consider 25%.

Q3: Should I include joists and bearers in this calculation?
A: No, this calculator is for decking boards only. Structural elements like joists and bearers require separate calculations.

Q4: Does this work for composite decking as well?
A: Yes, the calculation method is the same for both timber and composite decking materials available at Bunnings.

Q5: How do I calculate deck area for irregular shapes?
A: Break the area into regular shapes (rectangles, triangles), calculate each area separately, then sum them for the total deck area.