- Deck design tools side by side
- Nine deck design tools worth trying
- Pick a deck tool by what you need
- The 30cm rule for decking in England
- Free maker tools or full design software?
- What to check in a deck design tool
- Signs you need to design before you build
- My plain advice on deck design software
- Frequently asked questions
Deck design software lets you plan a deck's size, shape, stairs and railings and see it in 3D before you buy materials. The quickest options are free online designers from decking makers, while builders and garden designers often use fuller design software. Nine options follow in no particular order.
Most deck mistakes are made with a tape measure and a guess: steps that land in the wrong place, a deck that blocks a door, boards that don't suit the house.
A design tool lets you make those mistakes on screen instead. The nine tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the vendor's own website, read this week. If you plan garden work for clients, my guide to AI tools for designing gardens sits well alongside them.
Deck design tools side by side
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site names a free plan, a free version, a free account, a free edition or an open source release. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it, so check the vendor's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decks.com | Free online deck designer and plans | DIYers wanting plans as well as a design | Yes |
| Fiberon | Decking maker's design tools | Picturing composite boards in your space | Yes |
| Home Designer | DIY home design software | Decks as part of a wider home project | Trial only |
| Planner 5D | Online home and exterior planner | Quick browser-based layouts | Not stated |
| Realtime Landscaping | 3D garden and outdoor design software | Decks with gardens, fencing and pools | Trial only |
| SmartDraw | Diagramming tool with deck templates | Clean 2D deck plans to share | Not stated |
| Structure Studios | 3D pool and outdoor design | Contractors presenting outdoor projects | Trial only |
| TimberTech | Decking brand's 3D deck planner | Trying sizes, stairs and railings | Yes |
| Trex | Decking brand's online deck planner | Choosing colours and layouts | Yes |
Nine deck design tools worth trying
Decks.com
Best for: DIY builders who want a free deck designer plus downloadable plans and calculators for joists, beams and footings.
Fiberon
Best for: Anyone weighing up composite decking who wants free design tools from the board maker itself, for homes or client jobs.
Home Designer
Best for: Homeowners planning a deck alongside a remodel who want DIY home design software with deck and garden tools.
Planner 5D
Best for: Casual planners who want to sketch a deck, garden and house layout in the browser without learning CAD.
Realtime Landscaping
Best for: Garden designers who want decks, fencing, gardens and pools drawn together in one 3D model, with a free trial.
SmartDraw
Best for: Builders and homeowners who need neat 2D deck plans and patios drawn from templates rather than a 3D model.
Structure Studios
Best for: Hardscape and deck contractors who want fast 3D renderings to win clients, with a free trial of the software.
TimberTech
Best for: DIYers who want to test deck size, shape, stairs and railings in 3D and save designs under a free account.
Trex
Best for: Homeowners comparing composite colours and layouts who want the board maker's free 3D deck design software.
Pick a deck tool by what you need
- Free plans as well as a design: Decks.com.
- Trying composite colours and boards: Trex, TimberTech or Fiberon.
- A deck as part of a home project: Home Designer.
- Quick layouts in the browser: Planner 5D.
- Neat 2D plans to hand to a builder: SmartDraw.
- Garden designers drawing the whole plot: Realtime Landscaping.
- Contractors winning work with 3D: Structure Studios.
The 30cm rule for decking in England
The Planning Portal says decking is usually allowed without an application for planning permission only if it's no more than 30cm above the ground and, together with other extensions and outbuildings, covers no more than 50% of the garden area. Other limits apply on designated land.
On a sloping garden it's easy to cross that 30cm line at the low end without noticing. Check the height at every corner in your design before you order timber, and talk to your local planning authority if you're close.
Free maker tools or full design software?
The free designers from decking makers are built to help you choose their boards and railings. They're quick, they're visual and they're ideal for deciding size and colour.
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Fuller design software is for when the deck is one part of a bigger plan, such as a garden, a patio, a pool or an extension, or when a builder needs drawings to work from.
Plenty of homeowners use a free tool to decide what they want, then hand a builder a simple sketch with measurements. That's often all you need.
Once the design is set, our guide to takeoff software lines up tools that measure out materials.
What to check in a deck design tool
- Can you enter your exact garden and house measurements?
- Does it show stairs, railings and level changes clearly?
- Can you save and share designs with a builder?
- Does it produce a materials list or plans?
- Will it show the deck height above ground?
- Does it work on the device you'll use outdoors?
For furniture and fittings rather than whole decks, our guide to woodworking CAD sets out CAD tools.
Signs you need to design before you build
- The garden slopes. Check height at every corner.
- You can't picture the steps. Try them in 3D.
- You're torn between colours. Compare boards on screen.
- A builder needs measurements. Produce a simple plan.
Do you make deck design software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on deck design software
Start with a free deck designer and spend an evening on three versions: the deck you want, a smaller one and one with the steps on the other side. Then go outside with pegs and string and mark your chosen design out on the ground. Ten minutes standing on the real spot beats an hour on screen.
If you're turning garden projects into a business, my guide to building a productive garden services start-up covers the business side.
Frequently asked questions
What is deck design software?
It's software for planning a deck's size, shape, stairs and railings and seeing it in 3D before you build, so you can test ideas without wasting materials.
Is there free deck design software?
Yes. Several decking makers offer free online deck designers, and some sites add free plans. Check the free plan column above.
Do I need planning permission for decking in England?
The Planning Portal says decking is usually allowed without an application if it's no more than 30cm above the ground and covers no more than 50% of the garden, among other conditions.
Can deck design software make building plans?
Some tools produce plans and materials lists, while others focus on how the deck looks. Check this before you rely on one for construction.
Is deck design software good for builders?
Builders often use fuller design software to show clients a 3D view and produce drawings, rather than the quick free tools.
Can I design a deck on my phone?
Some tools run in a phone or tablet browser, which helps when you're measuring in the garden. Others work best on a computer.
