There’s nothing worse than being halfway through a deck and realising you’re short four boards—or worse, over-ordering and blowing your budget. Here’s how to get your timber quantities spot on every time.

Step 1: Know Your Area

Start by measuring the length and width of the area you’re working on (deck, wall, fence, etc.). Multiply them to get your total square metres.

Example: A 4m x 6m deck = 24m²

Step 2: Check Your Board Dimensions

You’ll need the coverage per board, not just the physical width. For example, a 90mm decking board with 5mm spacing gives you 85mm effective coverage.

Convert to metres: 85mm = 0.085m

Step 3: Do the Math

Use this simple formula:

Total linear metres = Area (m²) ÷ board width (m)

From the example above:
24m² ÷ 0.085m = 282.35 linear metres

Add 5–10% for cuts, waste, and odd shapes:
282.35 x 1.10 = 310.6 linear metres

Round up to 311m and you’re good to go.

Step 4: Let Us Double Check

When in doubt, bring your measurements to us. We’ll help you calculate quantities for decking, fencing, cladding, or framing—so you only pay for what you need.

Pro tip: Order a little extra if your project has a lot of angles, stairs, or offcuts.