A scale drawing or sketch might serve the purpose, but there is really nothing better than a full 3D view of your plans that can be rotated and tweaked from any angle. This is what the latest generation of deck design software brings to the table. These powerful programs allow anyone from a home owner to a contractor design photo-realistic decks in 3D.

With the amazing tools provided in these programs, users can design any type of deck in any size and shape. You can create a custom deck design that will fit perfectly with the overall design of your home. Some programs allow you to work on more than one deck level at a time without needed to create separate scenes. Most programs also allow you to work in 2D mode as you evaluate your plan, then switch to 3D mode  to see a true perspective of your plan at any time.

One time saver available in the best deck design software is the ability of the software to use repetitive components. Let’s say for example you start your deck plan with a certain design element. the software will carry that element throughout the rest of your design without you having to continually make that particular selection. At the same time, the user has all the control they need to make any change to any particular part of their deck plan. Some versions of this software even have the ability to save these component choices for possible use in future designs

Some of the better deck design software has elaborate libraries of specific, branded items for you to choose from. This is a great feature because you can place these items in your deck design and see how they will impact the overall look and design of the deck. The program can show you in detail exactly what the item will look like and you can decide if you need to choose a different item or modify your deck plan. This is a powerful function in those programs that have this feature.

Budgeting is a big part of any deck design. It does not make sense to design your dream deck and then find out you cannot afford to actually build it. Deck design software can help eliminate this kind of frustration. You can input unit costs and the software will calculate your material lists for you. With this feature you can know the difference in cost between teak garden decking and other types of lumber. Part of that list will show you the cost of all the materials you input. You can also have the program calculate labor, and together this will allow you to calculate the cost of the entire project. The best part of this feature is you can see these costs in real time as you increase or decrease the size of the deck you are designing.

The better deck design programs allow you to output reports detailing materials and costs associated with the project you have planned. This is an important feature for a few reasons, but for one thing it really can come in handy when deciding whether to handle the project yourself or hire a contractor. You will be able to compare the amount of materials and their costs to any proposal a contractor presents to you. This gives you peace of mind when considering who to hire.

Whether you are planning a pop up garden gazebo or a full blown, multi tiered deck, the right deck design software will put you on the right path to a beautifully planned and finished project.