Deck layouts

Straight run. A rectangle off the back door. Cheapest to frame, easiest to inspect, easiest to furnish. Under the prescriptive deck guide, overall deck length must be equal to or less than overall deck width for single-level attached decks, which quietly rules out some very long, narrow designs without a full plan submission.

L-shaped, U-shaped and wraparound. These add corners, and corners add framing, footings, and railing linear footage. Railing is $30 to $210 per linear foot installed, so a wraparound deck's perimeter is a serious budget line by itself.

Multi-level. At $30 to $75 per square foot, multi-level decks are among the most expensive layouts. They also multiply the code surface: each level over 30 inches above grade needs its own guard, and every set of connecting stairs brings riser, tread, handrail and stair-guard requirements.

Small backyard decks. An 8x10 deck at 80 square feet runs $1,200 to $4,400. Keeping it under 30 inches above grade avoids the guard requirement entirely, which both saves money and opens up the space visually.

How to choose

Furnish it on paper first

Draw the table and chairs at real size. Most decks that feel too small were sized without doing this.

Every corner costs money

L, U and wraparound layouts add framing and railing linear footage at $30 to $210 per foot installed.

Staying under 30 inches changes the project

Below that height no guard is required, and a platform deck at $10 to $30 per square foot is far cheaper than a raised one at $25 to $50.

Multi-level means multi-code

Each level and each stair run brings its own guard, handrail and geometry requirements — and $30 to $75 per square foot.

Check the length-to-width rule with your builder

Prescriptive single-level attached decks require overall length to be equal to or less than overall width. Unusual proportions may need engineered plans.