Planning a deck for your backyard? These five free deck plans cover the full range, with real dimensions, structural notes, material specs, and honest cost estimates for builds in Indiana.
1. The 12×14 Ground-Level Starter
Simple, permit-friendly, and priced for a first home. This plan is built for homeowners who want a clean outdoor space without the complexity of an elevated structure.
| Spec | Detail |
| Dimensions | 12 x 14 ft (168 sq. ft.) |
| Shape | Simple rectangle |
| Footings | 4 poured concrete, 30–36″ depth (Indiana frost line) |
| Joist spacing | 16″ on center |
| Decking | TimberTech EDGE composite, entry-level (25-year warranty, 3-sided cap) |
| Railing | Westbury aluminum powder-coated, 36″ height |
| Stairs | One 4-ft stair run, 3 risers |
| Skirting | Optional horizontal composite to ground |
| Estimated cost (Indiana) | $10,000–$14,000 |
Ground-level construction means fewer footings, shorter post runs, and a faster build overall.
You can also fit a small dining set, a grill, and a couple of chairs. And since it connects cleanly to a rear entry door, it doesn’t require an engineering review in most Indiana jurisdictions.
2. The 16×18 Family Deck with Built-In Seating
Families spending summer weekends outside need more floor space, and less of it eaten up by furniture.
This plan wraps built-in bench seating along two sides, clearing the center of the deck for whatever the day calls for.
| Spec | Detail |
| Dimensions | 16 x 18 ft (288 sq. ft.) |
| Shape | Rectangle |
| Footings | 6 poured concrete, 30–36″ depth |
| Joist spacing | 16″ on center |
| Decking | TimberTech PRO Legacy Collection, Pecan or Ashwood |
| Railing | Westbury aluminum with optional cable insert |
| Stairs | One 4-ft stair run, composite risers |
| Extras | Built-in bench seating on two sides, stair riser lighting |
| Estimated cost (Indiana) | $16,000–$22,000 |
The bench perimeter comfortably seats 8 to 10 people without pulling any additional furniture onto the deck.
Add stair and post lighting, and this space holds up just as well at past 9 p.m. as it does on a Sunday afternoon.
3. The 18×20 Dining and Grilling Zone
Two defined areas: one large enough to seat six for a proper dinner, one with room to actually work around a grill.
This plan works well for couples and families who host regularly and want the deck to function like a true outdoor room.
| Spec | Detail |
| Dimensions | 18 x 20 ft (360 sq. ft.) |
| Shape | Rectangle with defined zones |
| Footings | 8 poured concrete, 30–36″ depth |
| Joist spacing | 16″ on center |
| Decking | TimberTech Advanced PVC Landmark Collection, two-tone border treatment |
| Railing | Westbury aluminum on dining side, cable railing on grilling side |
| Stairs | Wide 5-ft stair run |
| Extras | Double border, optional grill bump-out alcove |
| Estimated cost (Indiana) | $20,000–$28,000 |
Cable railing on the grilling side isn’t just an aesthetic choice. It helps airflow around the cooking area and keeps sightlines open to the yard.
Meanwhile, the two-tone border treatment on the decking visually separates the dining and grilling zones without any walls.
4. The Two-Level Build for Sloped Yards
When a yard drops away from the house, a single-level deck either sits uncomfortably high off the ground or wastes the grade change entirely.
This plan uses the slope. Upper level for dining and entertaining, lower level for a lounge area or hot tub platform, with a stair run connecting the two.
| Spec | Detail |
| Upper level | 14 x 16 ft (224 sq. ft.) |
| Lower level | 12 x 14 ft (168 sq. ft.) |
| Total area | ~392 sq. ft. |
| Footings | 10–12 poured concrete, depth per engineer specs |
| Posts | 6×6 pressure-treated on upper level |
| Decking | TimberTech Advanced PVC Vintage Collection, matching or contrasting tones per level |
| Railing | Cable Bullet aluminum cable railing throughout |
| Stairs | Interior stair run between levels, plus ground-level stairs off lower deck |
| Estimated cost (Indiana) | $32,000–$48,000 |
The TimberTech Advanced PVC line carries a Lifetime Limited Product Warranty plus 50-year fade-and-stain protection. On a two-level build with this much structural complexity, that warranty matters.
For footing depth requirements on elevated builds, the American Wood Council’s residential deck construction guide covers the structural specs most Indiana jurisdictions reference when issuing permits.
5. The Full Outdoor Living Suite
For large properties and homeowners who want the deck to work as a genuine outdoor room with multiple defined zones, a pergola, a full lighting system, and at least two stair access points to the yard.
This is the plan that stops being a deck and starts being an extension of the house.
| Spec | Detail |
| Dimensions | 24 x 28 ft (672 sq. ft.) main deck |
| Shape | Large rectangle with attached pergola |
| Footings | 14–16 poured concrete, engineer-reviewed |
| Decking | TimberTech Advanced PVC Vintage Collection (Designer Series, premium tier) |
| Railing | Cable Bullet aluminum cable railing throughout |
| Stairs | Two stair runs, two points of yard access |
| Lighting | Post caps, railing lights, stair lights, recessed deck lighting |
| Extras | Pergola, built-in bench seating, dining zone, lounge zone, grilling zone |
| Estimated cost (Indiana) | $55,000–$100,000+ |
A project at this scale requires detailed structural review, especially at the ledger connection and footing placement.
Every build in this tier at Decks On Point starts with a full 3D design rendering so you see the finished product before a single joist goes in.
Our composite deck cost guide explains how material tier selection affects the final number, and the composite decking brands comparison breaks down what separates the TimberTech Advanced PVC Vintage line from everything else on the market.
FAQ
Can any of these plans be adapted for a sloped yard?
Plans 1 through 3 assume relatively flat ground. Plan 4 is built specifically for sloped lots. For significant grade changes, post heights vary across the structure, and the footing and framing requirements shift considerably.
What warranty comes with TimberTech composite decking?
It depends on the product line. TimberTech Advanced PVC carries a Lifetime Limited Product Warranty plus 50-year fade-and-stain protection. The TimberTech PRO line, which includes the Legacy, Reserve, and Terrain collections, carries a 30-year fade and stain warranty. TimberTech EDGE, the entry-level composite, carries a 25-year warranty. Decks On Point backs every deck build with a lifetime warranty on top of that.
How deep do footings need to be in Indiana?
Indiana’s frost depth runs 30 to 36 inches depending on your county, with northern areas like Fort Wayne requiring the deeper end of that range. Your local building department will confirm the exact requirement for your address. Footings need to extend below that depth, not just to it.
Does Indiana require a building permit for all of these plans?
Most Indiana municipalities require a permit for any attached deck, any deck over 200 sq. ft., or any deck more than 30 inches above grade. Your local building department sets the exact thresholds, and it’s worth confirming before you start anything.
These Plans Are a Starting Point, We Handle the Rest
Reading dimensions on paper is useful. Having a deck that actually fits your yard, matches your house, and holds up through Indiana winters is the ultimate goal.
Decks On Point builds custom TimberTech composite decks throughout Westfield, Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, and the surrounding Indiana area, backed by a lifetime workmanship warranty and a full 3D design before construction begins.
Head to our deck building services page to see past projects and pricing examples, or call us at (317) 903-2431 or message us here.