Herringbone Showpiece
Premium herringbone field, glass panels, and lit picture-frame stairs at dusk.
A herringbone field adds layout, cutting and installation labor compared with a straight lay. Quote the pattern separately from the base platform allowance. This template adds glass panel railing, picture-frame stairs with riser lighting, and a dusk lighting mode for the evening view.

The spec
| Footprint | 16×12 ft (192 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Height | 3 ft |
| Decking | Premium herringbone composite |
| Railing | Yes |
| Stairs | Yes |
| Cost basis | PVC benchmark: $60 – $90 / sq ft installed (USD). PVC is a budget proxy for the pictured premium composite; herringbone labor is separate. |
| Lighting | Post caps, risers (dusk scene) |
| Base platform allowance (USD) | $11,500 – $17,300 |
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
- Premium quotes where the homeowner asked for “something different”
- Dusk renders: lighting is on by default in this template
- Pairing with PVC-class boards where the pattern justifies the budget
Similar templates
- L-shaped wraparound: Picture-frame border on an L footprint with cable railing and open stairs.
- Two-level entertainer: Main deck stepping down to a lower lounge with wide platform stairs.
- Skirted porch deck: Charcoal diagonal boards with full skirting, access door, and an entry landing.
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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