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Manufacturer design tool
DeckSketch vs TimberTech Deck Designer
A free, browser-based 3D deck visualizer from composite decking maker TimberTech (an AZEK company) that lets homeowners style a deck in their materials and export a product take-off list.
Feature comparison
| Capability | DeckSketch | TimberTech Deck Designer |
|---|---|---|
| Auto structural framing (joists, beams, posts, footings) | YesGenerated automatically from the outline you draw. | NoVisualizer only; no joists/beams/footings generated |
| Code-based span / member sizing | YesMembers sized to span tables with live span diagnostics. | NoPlans must be reviewed by a licensed engineer/code official |
| Automatic material BOM / takeoff | YesItemized BOM derived from the structural plan, not hand-counted. | PartialTake-off of TimberTech surface products, not full structural BOM |
| Instant priced estimate | YesPriced from your org's catalog and updates as the design changes. | PartialPrices decking+fasteners only; excludes substructure, railing, labor |
| Deck-specific (railings, stairs, ledger logic) | YesPurpose-built for residential decks end to end. | YesPurpose-built for decks, scoped to one manufacturer's catalog |
| 3D visualization | Yes3D deck view alongside the framing plan. | YesReal-time 3D with sun/shade and 140+ options; desktop only |
| Contractor workflow (orders, labor, org pricing) | YesMaterial orders, labor estimate, and per-org pricing built in. | PartialMarketed to homeowners; no true estimating/job workflow |
What TimberTech Deck Designer does well
- Genuinely free with unlimited saved designs; you only pay when buying actual product
- Real-time 3D with 140+ options to preview color/texture in sun and shade
- Generates a detailed product take-off list (boards, railing, fasteners, accessories)
- Save, compare side by side, share, and print full design specifications
Where DeckSketch wins
- No structural framing — it does not lay out joists, beams, or footings
- No code span calculations; plans must be reviewed by a licensed engineer/code official
- Take-off covers TimberTech surface products, not a full structural BOM
- Cost calculator prices decking + fasteners only, excluding substructure, railing, and labor (~80% of cost)
Pick TimberTech Deck Designer if…
- You're a homeowner wanting to see a TimberTech deck in 3D before buying
- You've decided on TimberTech/AZEK composite and want free samples plus a shopping list
- You want a free, no-commitment styling and color-selection tool
Pick DeckSketch if…
- You need a structural plan with auto-generated joists, beams, and footings and code-aware spans
- You need a complete BOM (structure + surface) and instant total pricing including framing and labor
- You're a pro who needs a build-ready, manufacturer-neutral estimate
Sources
Pricing and features can change; figures were human-verified on 2026-07-19. Found something out of date? Tell us and we'll fix it.