Evening Glow Deck
See the deck after dark: lit post caps, stair risers, and under-rail glow.
Most decks get used after work, but every deck gets designed at noon. This template flips that: a 16×12 composite deck previewed at night, with the full lighting package (post caps, stair risers, under-rail strips, recessed floor lights) so you decide on lighting while you can actually see what it buys you.
The spec
| Footprint | 16×12 ft (192 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 3 ft |
| Decking | Classic composite, warm lighting package |
| Railing | Yes |
| Stairs | Yes |
| Cost basis | Composite benchmark: $45 – $70 / sq ft installed (USD). |
| Skirting | Full |
| Lighting | Post caps, risers, under-rail, recessed (night scene) |
| Base platform allowance (USD) | $8,600 – $13,400 |
These are base platform allowances, not complete quotes for the pictured designs. Railing, stairs, lighting, skirting, benches, pergolas, special board patterns and extra framing for height or multiple levels need separate quotes.
Cost assumptions and sources
U.S. planning allowances in USD for a simple, single-level deck, including ordinary materials and contractor labor. These are PaperPlan editorial assumptions, not surveyed averages or a local quote.
- Pressure-treated: $25 – $40 / sq ft installed (USD)
- Composite: $45 – $70 / sq ft installed (USD)
- PVC: $60 – $90 / sq ft installed (USD)
Multiply deck area (width × length in feet) by the selected installed rate, then round each end of the range to the nearest $100.
Demolition, permits and engineering, taxes, stairs, railing, roofs, unusual foundations and difficult site access need separate quotes. Location, product selection and labor can put a real bid outside these ranges. Canadian projects need local CAD pricing.
The manufacturer sources below explain scope and cost drivers; they do not validate PaperPlan’s exact installed-rate bands. Supplier material estimates should not be compared directly with an installed project budget.
- Trex: deck material cost calculator: Estimates materials and explicitly excludes labor; prices vary with location, season and design.
- TimberTech: understanding deck costs: Separates decking, railing, labor and substructure, and explains the impact of site and project features.
Sources and assumptions reviewed . Confirm the scope and current price with local contractors before budgeting a build.
Best for
- Households that use the deck mostly in the evening
- Stairs and level changes that need code-friendly visibility at night
- Anyone deciding whether deck lighting is worth the wiring before framing starts
Similar templates
- Herringbone showpiece: Premium herringbone field, glass panels, and lit picture-frame stairs at dusk.
- Poolside platform: Wide, low driftwood platform with breaker boards and string lights for evenings.
- Classic raised deck: The bread-and-butter build: 16×12 composite, aluminum balusters, boxed stairs.
Deck planning guides
- Deck Cost Calculator
- Cost to Build a Deck in 2026
- Composite Deck Cost in 2026
- Deck Material Calculator
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- 10×12 Deck Cost
- 12×12 Deck Cost
- 12×16 Deck Cost
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- 16×16 Deck Cost
- 16×20 Deck Cost
- 20×20 Deck Cost
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