Deck Design Software Review:

Your choice of deck design software is dependant on the following factors:

Exactly what are you aiming for? Do you want just simple deck design software, or maybe a full design package that you will likewise be able to utilize for proffesional design projects? Want to add a gazebo, carry out some landscaping or construct an addition to your house?

What amount would you like to spend? The more expensive software, more capabilities it will have.

How much time would you like to commit to the computer designing your deck? Some full design packages may take some time to find your way around, even before you begin your deck design.

If you planning a multilevel deck, you could find that even reliable deck design software has some challenges as you begin to pile up layers.

To sum up, you get what you spend with deck design software.

The Following List is the ones we found useful:

Ultimate Deck & Landscape
from Punch Software

THE PROS.

This is a good hobbyist deck design software especially easy for those who want to make the most common type of deck: the grade level, low-profile, ground floor deck. You can make multilevel or multi story decks with it but that will take a bit more time and patience. It does also feature railing, baluster and step options.

You can actually choose your wood type, with the different textures available to give your end result a more realistic 3D look. If you get information on costing as you go along, add them in the program and the built in Estimator compiles a spreadsheet giving you a total cost to build, very handy.

Once you have finished with the deck you can use the software to start to landscape the rest of your garden adding pathways, trees and plants.

THE CONS.

It is a hobbyist deck design software which you should be able to find for just under $25.00. This is the at the lower end of the Punch software line, pay a bit more - get a bit more from one of Punch's other products.

At that price, don't let your expectations be too high before you start, having said that - I liked it - but some users have had trouble drawing accurately enough, others have had trouble building up layers to get multi-story decks.

But if you just persevere, give yourself time, learn the software and you will be able to produce a good image of the deck, sun room and/or landscaping that you imagined.

MORE PUNCH:

Punch do other different levels of design software at different prices, you can buy one of their packages that will help you with your deck design AND help you design a new dream home or remodel your home.

Other Punch products - most of which also include deck design capabilities are: Professional Home Design-Platinum, Professional Home Design Suite, Master Landscape & Home Design, SUPER Home Suite, 5 in 1 Home Design, and Home Design Complete. Their products come with a 90-day money back guarantee!!! so you can't go wrong.

Do-It-Yourself Deck Designer
from Big Hammer

THE PROS

Another hobbyist level deck design software which you may find a little limited if your imagination has run above a normal - straight forward deck design. But there are over 70 sample decks to choose from which means that if you see one that you had in mind, you could have your design printed out in a very short time. Priced at just under $30.00, it is good value for money as a good quality hobbyist deck design software.

You can choose lumber type or composite material, and you can elect the deck height. You can choose bracing methods and decide deck railing designs from eight different styles. At the end of all your work you should have a good visual of the deck you want to build together with a shopping list of materials you are going to need, I haven't gone so far as to print out the list but I have read that the project specifications are so complete that you can use it when applying for your building permit.

A big plus on the pre-designed decking templates are the hot tub and above ground pool deck designs available as well as L-shaped wrap around your house decks.

This software is easy to use and for any part you can't get to grips with, try their tech. support team who are very helpful.

THE CONS

What cons. you may reach it's limitations... but it usually does the job.

3D Home Architect Landscape - Design Deluxe 6
from Broderbund

THE PROS

This software does have a deck feature but I found it much better applied to landscaping. It has a really extensive plant encyclopedia and allows you to search by plant and soil properties. If the plants you like and can use for the soil type of your garden are on the list, then this is a really interesting choice for the deck and garden.

I wanted to include this in our review especially for those who want to design a free standing deck within the landscaping of their garden project.

THE CONS

More landscape gardening orientated than deck design.

Total 3D Landscape Deluxe 6.0
from Individual

THE PROS

A windows drawing program which allows you to use your own imported digital photos, this is a real plus for me as I have spent many years doing just this with Corel software. It has a drag and drop interface and you can view your completed design from six different angles.

THE CONS

I still haven't had time to try it out yet so I don't know how flexible it is or how deck orientated it is. Check out more information on this one at a later date...

If you have - please let me know what you think - write a review and I'll post it here in this page to help others looking for that perfect deck design software package! - Tell us what you think on our Contact Us & Have Your Say Page

Instant Deck Design
by IMSI

THE PROS

This is another good program, use the pre-drawn examples to help you make your deck design. You get 30 3D deck design templates which you can edit. (and they are not all rectangular, square or round, there are some good options that may suit your home). Or you can start from scratch and design your own deck design in 2D fairly to scale. The editing tools are quite good, again you get a materials list to help you pick up what you need.

THE CONS

Looking for software for around $20.00?, then this could be the answer for you, at that price you can't go wrong.

Unable to open RSS Feed http://www.hoprss.com/clickbank-rss-feed.php?hoprss_keyword=deck+decking&hoprss_results=3&hoprss_cbaffid=hrvoje123 with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting