Square feet to linear feet of boards — LF = area × 12 ÷ (board width + gap)
A coverage area becomes running feet through the board’s face width: LF = area × 12 ÷ (width + gap). The same 200 ft² is 422 LF of 5½″ deck boards but 686 LF of 3½″ boards — narrower boards need more linear feet. Order decking, flooring, and pickets by the linear foot.
What this diagram shows
A diagram converting a coverage area into running feet of boards. Two equal patches each represent 200 square feet. The left patch is filled with wide 5½-inch deck boards and works out to about 21 rows, or 422 linear feet, from 200 times 12 divided by 5.6875 inches. The right patch, the same 200 square feet, is filled with narrower 3½-inch boards and works out to about 34 rows, or 686 linear feet, from 200 times 12 divided by 3.5 inches. Narrower boards need more running feet to cover the same area. A formula card gives the rule: linear feet equal area times 12 divided by the board face width plus gap. Order decking, plank flooring, and pickets by the linear foot, since the board width sets the count.
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