AdvantageLumber.com has released Sketch-A-Deck™, a free web-based design tool that lets homeowners and contractors draw a deck layout, attach it to their home, and generate a materials list and cost estimate. The Sarasota, Florida-based decking supplier says the tool is meant to replace slower, more manual planning methods with something faster and more accessible to non-specialists.
How the Tool Works
According to the company, users sketch their intended deck shape directly against a representation of their house, then configure specifics such as dimensions and attachment points. From there, Sketch-A-Deck compiles what AdvantageLumber describes as a "build-ready" plan, paired with a itemized list of required materials and an estimated price based on the decking and railing products selected. This approach sidesteps the heavier 3D modeling and steep learning curves associated with many professional-grade deck design programs, which often carry licensing costs and require CAD-style familiarity.
Jon Fletcher, National Sales Manager at AdvantageLumber.com, said the goal was to compress a process that traditionally "requires a lot of time, measurements, calculations, and back and forth communication" into a single, simpler workflow usable by both homeowners sketching a dream project and contractors needing quick estimates for clients.
Material Options Built Into the Estimate
A notable feature is that Sketch-A-Deck is not limited to a single manufacturer's catalog. Users can plan projects using decking and railing lines from several widely recognized brands, including Trex®, TimberTech®, and Deckorators®, alongside AdvantageLumber's own tropical hardwood offerings - species such as Ipe, Cumaru, Tigerwood, Teak, Garapa, Brazilian Redwood, and Mahogany. The tool also covers thermally modified wood (heat- and steam-treated Ash or Pine processed without chemicals to improve rot resistance) and Western Red Cedar, a softwood valued for natural decay resistance. This breadth lets users compare estimated costs across material categories before committing to a purchase, which the company frames as a way to reduce surprises tied to underestimating board quantities, waste, or railing needs.
Practical Value and Limits
Deck planning mistakes - miscalculating square footage, ordering insufficient board lengths, or underestimating waste - can lead to delays and added expense, a problem the company says Sketch-A-Deck is designed to reduce by automating those calculations based on the user's own design inputs. Fletcher noted that pricing questions are among the most common inquiries the sales team fields, and the tool is intended to let customers begin generating answers independently.
It's worth noting that Sketch-A-Deck is a planning and estimating aid, not a substitute for a structural engineer or local permitting review; deck builds still must comply with regional building codes, load requirements, and inspection processes that vary by municipality. The tool is available at no cost through AdvantageLumber.com, where the company also offers its broader decking, railing, and construction materials catalog along with nationwide shipping.