16x16 Deck Material List: Boards, Joists, Screws, Footings
A 16x16 deck (256 square feet) needs about 39 deck boards, 13 joists, 910 screws and 9 footings (39 bags of 80 lb concrete). Change the size, board width or spacing in the deck materials calculator.
Part of the project planner: Planning and building a deck.
16x16 deck material list
| What to buy | How much | How we worked it out |
|---|---|---|
| Deck boards, 16 ft, 5.5 in wide | 39 | 35 rows across the width, with 10% waste |
| Joists | 13 | 16 ft long, at 16 in on center |
| Deck screws | 910 | Two per board at each joist |
| Joist hangers, up to | 26 | One per joist end hung from a ledger or rim |
| Joist tape | 208 ft | On the top of every joist |
| Footing concrete, 80 lb bags | 39 | 9 footings, 12 in across, 3 ft deep |
| Stain or sealer | 2 gal | One coat at about 200 sq ft a gallon |
Beams, posts, the ledger board and railings come from your plans and local code.
Boards by length of board
| Board length | Boards to buy | Rows |
|---|---|---|
| 8 ft boards | 77 | 35 |
| 10 ft boards | 62 | 35 |
| 12 ft boards | 52 | 35 |
| 16 ft boards | 39 | 35 |
Joists and screws by spacing
| Joist spacing | Joists | Screws |
|---|---|---|
| 12 in | 17 | 1,190 |
| 16 in | 13 | 910 |
| 24 in | 9 | 630 |
Board width changes the count
With narrower 2x4 boards (3.5 in) the 16x16 deck takes 59 boards, and with wide 2x8 boards (7.25 in) it takes 30.
Checks before you start
- Get a permit and find out the frost depth for your footings.
- Size the joists for the span from the span tables for your lumber.
- Use hot-dip galvanized or stainless fixings for treated lumber.
- Buy a few extra boards: some will be bowed or cut badly.
See also the materials list for a deck, how many deck boards you need and the 16x16 deck boards page. These are estimates for planning.
Frequently asked questions
How many boards for a 16x16 deck?
39 boards of 16 ft with 10% waste, in 35 rows across the width. Boards of other widths or lengths change the count.
How many joists for a 16x16 deck?
13 joists at 16 inches on center. At 12 inches it is 17 and at 24 inches 9, but the span of your lumber decides what spacing is allowed.
How many deck screws for a 16x16 deck?
About 910, two per board at each joist. Buy by the pound and keep a few extra.
How much concrete for the footings of a 16x16 deck?
9 footings 12 inches across and 3 feet deep take about 39 bags of 80 lb mix. Your frost depth and plans set the real size and number.
Do I need a permit?
Most decks need one, and an inspection of the footings. Check with your local building department before you pour.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.