Decks, Fences & Roofing
Framing and exterior structures by the board, panel or square.
Fence
Posts & pickets
Estimate wood fence posts, rails, pickets and concrete from total length, height and post spacing — pick a privacy, picket or shadowbox style, with gates and waste.
Chain Link
Pet & security fence
Estimate chain-link fence materials — terminal and line posts, top rail, mesh fabric, tension bands, caps, ties and concrete — from total length, height, corners and gates.
Roof Pitch
Pitch, angle & slope
Convert roof rise and run into pitch (x-in-12), the roof angle in degrees, grade percentage and the slope multiplier, plus rafter length.
Stairs
Rise, run & stringers
Calculate stair risers, riser height, tread depth, total run, stringer length and the slope angle from your total rise — to code.
Deck
Boards, joists & screws
Calculate the decking boards, joists and screws for a deck from its length and width, with board size, joist spacing and a waste allowance.
Decks, Fences & Roofing guides
The formulas, conversions and how-tos behind these calculators.
How Much Concrete Do You Need Per Fence Post?
Plan for 1–2 bags of 50 lb fast-setting concrete per fence post, depending on hole size.
How Much Does a Fence Cost? (Per Foot, by Material)
A fence costs about $15–$60 per linear foot installed, depending on material. Wood runs $15–$45/ft, vinyl $25–$60, chain link $10–$25. Full price breakdown.
Standard Fence Height (and Local Height Limits)
Backyard fences are typically 6 ft and front-yard fences 3–4 ft. Most cities cap front fences at 4 ft and back/side at 6–8 ft. Check setback and code rules first.
How Many Fence Pickets Do I Need?
Pickets = fence length in inches ÷ (picket width + gap). A 100 ft solid fence of 5.5 in pickets needs ~218 boards. Board-on-board needs roughly double.
Fence Post Spacing (How Far Apart, Depth & Size)
Space fence posts 6–8 ft apart on center. Set them at least one-third of their length deep and below the frost line. Posts = sections + 1, plus gate and corner posts.
Types of Fences: Styles, Materials & Costs Compared
Compare wood, vinyl, chain link, aluminum and composite fences — plus privacy, picket, board-on-board and split-rail styles — by cost, privacy and maintenance.
How to Measure Roof Pitch (3 Easy Methods)
Measure roof pitch with a level and tape, from inside the attic on a rafter, or from a photo. Here's how to find the rise-over-12 and convert it to degrees.
Roof Pitch Chart: Angle, Degrees & Slope Multiplier
A roof pitch chart converting common pitches (1-in-12 to 12-in-12) to degrees, grade percentage and the slope/rafter multiplier for figuring roof area.
Standard Stair Dimensions (Rise, Run & Code)
Standard stairs use a 7–7.75 in riser and a 10–11 in tread. Here are the IRC rise and run limits, headroom, width and the 2R+T comfort rule.
How to Calculate & Cut Stair Stringers
Lay out a stair stringer with a framing square: mark the rise and run for each step, account for the first-riser drop, and cut from a 2x12. Step-by-step.
How Many Deck Boards Do I Need?
Count deck boards: rows = width ÷ (board + gap), then × length for linear feet, + 10% waste, ÷ board length. Includes a boards-per-deck chart.
Deck Joist Spacing (12, 16 or 24 Inches?)
Deck joist spacing explained: 16 in on center is standard, 12 in for diagonal or stiffer decks, 24 in only with rated composite. Span and o.c. basics.
Cost to Build a Deck (Per Square Foot, 2026)
A deck costs about $25–$70 per square foot installed — pressure-treated $25–$45, composite $40–$70. Material vs labor and project examples.