Policy · updated 2026-10-19

Editorial policy & disclosures

Sources

Structural values come from published reproductions of the International Residential Code, including building-department deck guides, which we cross-check against each other. Product guidance comes from manufacturers’ published instructions. Cost figures are quoted only with their source named. We don’t publish keyword-stuffed estimates or prices we can’t source and date.

How content is produced and reviewed

  • Calculator results are produced by code, not written by hand. That code is covered by automated tests.
  • Guides and explanations are drafted with the help of software tools and checked against the cited sources before publication. Every numeric claim in a guide is either computed live by the same engine as the calculators or linked to a source.
  • Content is reviewed by [Owner to provide: named editor and their relevant experience].

Conservative by design

When sources disagree, or a table needs reading between columns, we choose the more conservative result and document it on the methodology page. When a design falls outside the prescriptive tables (heavy snow, hot tubs, roofs, long spans), the tools say so and stop rather than guessing.

Corrections

Report errors to [Owner to provide: corrections email]. We aim to review reports promptly, fix confirmed errors, and note material corrections with the date on the methodology page.

Advertising, affiliates and sponsorship

Current status: none. Deckwright shows no ads, uses no affiliate links and has no sponsors. If we add any of these:

  • affiliate links will be labeled where they appear, and this page will list the programs;
  • ads will never appear inside calculator results or code checks;
  • no payment will change a calculation, a ranking of products, or a safety message.