Product update

October 2026 updates

GIS site plans, updated wood details, more finish options and material-order settings.

GIS site plans

Look up the job address, then trace the building and boundaries over aerial imagery and available property-line references. Position the deck and add dimensions. Survey PDF uploads are still available.

Illustrative 20 by 14 foot deck attached to a building, both inside the traced lot, over actual aerial imagery — With aerial imageryFull size

The same illustrative site plan exported without the aerial background — Clean drawingFull size

Swipe to compare. Tap either image to enlarge.

Illustrative layout at a public location. GIS covers the contiguous US; boundaries and dimensions need checking against a survey.

Powered by Esri. Sources: Esri, Vantor, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, © OpenStreetMap contributors, TomTom, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, and the GIS User Community. Parcel reference: Regrid / LOVELAND Technologies.

Wood construction details

Details use the framing sizes and hardware selected for the job, with connection notes included. Export individual details or a condensed sheet on Letter, Legal or 11×17.

View sample detail PDF

Native ledger-to-house detail with a 2x8 ledger, joist hanger, flashing and fastener spacing table — Ledger to houseFull size

Native notched post-to-beam detail with centered through-bolt rows and separate clearance guides — Post to beamFull size

The sample PDF also includes footing, joist, tension-tie, guard-post and stair details.

Deck and stair trim

Use fascia boards or two courses of deck boards. Add vertical soldier boards at deck fascia joints, ends and corners, plus trim at stair riser ends. These choices carry into the drawings and material list.

Fascia seam and corner trim is experimental.

Native deck model with stairs at the left edge, picture-framed treads, sawtooth stair-side fascia and contrasting soldier boards — Fascia, sawtooth stair sides and soldier boardsFull size

Roof finishes

Gable and shed shingle roofs now show drip edges and closed fascia and soffit corners. Beam wraps line up with the finished post faces.

Native gable-roof model showing white fascia, soffit returns and wrapped beams and posts beneath a shingle roof — Gable roof with finished trimFull size

Stock lengths and waste

Set the lengths your supplier stocks. Add waste by percentage or board count; the takeoff keeps those extras separate from the deck quantities.

DeckDraft lumber stock settings with available board lengths selected by size; 2x10 PT uses 8, 12, 16 and 20 foot stock — Choose available stock lengthsFull size

DeckDraft order allowance settings showing 10 percent straight and 15 percent diagonal waste for PT decking, and two or three extra 16 foot boards for composite decking — Set waste or extra boards by materialFull size

Current Job Settings → Takeoff. Examples shown; set allowances to suit the job.