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In all versions, the program starts with a standard 20- by 20-foot deck that you can resize by dragging the sides in or out. Fiberon's version, for example, offers different decking colors the USP version focuses on hardware connections. While the programs on the different websites are based on the same platform and work the same way, there are some differences among them.
Bathroom design software free home depot registration#
DIYonlineĪ number of companies, including Caldera Spas, Fiberon, Lowes, MoistureShield, Trex, TimberTech, and USP, offer free (though registration is usually required) online deck design software developed by DIYonline and targeted mostly at consumers. Many of the programs are very similar, so I picked out a few representative examples to provide an overview of what these free programs can-and can't-do.
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I found this to be a quick way to get started, but more tedious than drawing freehand when I had a specific and detailed design that I was trying to execute.Įven though these programs are not really intended for professional deck builders, they offer a mixed bag of useful features. The user starts with a pre-existing basic deck, then modifies the template by stretching or shrinking the sides, changing the corners, and adding stairs, railings, and other details. Many of the programs I tried out are template-based, presumably in order to speed up and simplify the design process. Some freeware allowed me to draw the deck freehand and filled in the details automatically, but some didn't. When you get back to your starting point, the software should fill in footings, posts, beams, joists, decking, and railings, all with your pre-selected specifications.

With good CAD software, drawing a deck should be just like drawing on paper, except with a mouse instead of a pencil: Place the cursor at a corner, click the mouse, drag the cursor to the next corner of the deck, click, and drag to the next junction point. But then again, none of the expensive software-such as Chief Architect or SoftPlan-that I helped evaluate in an earlier article could either. None of the freeware I tested could match RLA's rendering ability. I can generate construction drawings with it, but for me its most valuable function is producing photorealistic renderings I can print out or email to a client. This is a relatively inexpensive ($400) full-featured design program that I use nearly every day in my deck business. All promise to make deck design quick and easy-to find out how well they live up to that promise, I rounded some up and gave them a try.įairly or not, I compared the programs with the CAD software I'm most familiar with, Realtime Landscaping Architect ( ). If you want to dip a toe in the CAD waters before investing hundreds, or thousands, of dollars in software you're not even sure you're going to like, you could experiment with one of the many free deck design programs online.
