Guides
Plain-English guides to estimating materials, avoiding the common mistakes, and getting the numbers right the first time.
- Building a Paver Patio: Base Depth, Sand and Materials NeededHow deep a paver base should be, how much gravel and sand to order for a patio or walkway, and the steps that stop pavers sinking, shifting and heaving.
- Fence Post Spacing, Depth and Concrete: A Practical GuideHow far apart to space fence posts, how deep to set them, how wide to dig the holes, and how much concrete you need for a typical wood fence.
- Gravel: Tons per Cubic Yard and How Much to OrderHow many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel, crushed stone, pea gravel and sand, how to convert between them, and how deep to lay it for paths and driveways.
- How Many Bags of Concrete Do I Need? (Slab & Post Chart)How many 40, 60 and 80 lb bags of concrete you need for a slab, footing or fence post, with charts, the formula, and when ready-mix is the better buy.
- How Many Christmas Lights Do I Need? Tree, Roofline & Circuit LoadHow many lights for a Christmas tree and for a roofline, with charts by tree height and run length, plus how many strands one outlet can safely run.
- How Many Cords of Firewood Do I Need for Winter?How to estimate firewood for the winter: cords by house size and climate, how wood type and stove efficiency change the number, and when to buy and stack it.
- How Many Deck Boards Do I Need? Formula & Quick ChartHow to count deck boards, joists and screws for any deck size, with a chart for common sizes and tips on gaps, waste, board length and layout.
- How Much Asphalt Do I Need for a Driveway? Tons ChartHow many tons of asphalt and base gravel a driveway needs, with a chart by driveway size at 2 and 3 inches thick, the formula, and what a good job includes.
- How Much Attic Insulation Do I Need? R-Value and Depth ChartHow many inches of attic insulation it takes to reach R-30, R-38, R-49 or R-60 for fiberglass, cellulose and spray foam, with climate zone targets and safety tips.
- How Much Attic Ventilation Do I Need? The 1:150 and 1:300 RulesHow to calculate attic ventilation in square inches of net free area, split between intake and exhaust, with a chart for common attic sizes and ridge vent lengths.
- How Much Mulch Do I Need? Coverage Chart & Bulk vs BagsHow much mulch to buy for your beds: coverage per cubic yard, how many 2 and 3 cubic foot bags make a yard, the right depth, and when bulk beats bags.
- How Much Paint Do I Need? Room-by-Room GuideHow to work out how much paint to buy for walls and ceilings: the simple formula, coverage per gallon, how many coats, and a chart of common room sizes.
- How Much Soil Do I Need for a Raised Garden Bed?Work out how much soil fills a raised bed of any size, with a chart for common beds at 6, 12 and 18 inches deep, mix recipes and tips to save money.
- How Much Tile, Grout and Thinset Do I Need?How to estimate tiles, boxes, grout and thinset for a floor, shower or backsplash, with waste factors by layout and a grout chart by tile size.
- How to Calculate Pool Volume in Gallons (Any Shape)Formulas for the volume of rectangular, round and oval pools in gallons, with a chart of common sizes, and why you need the number for chemicals and filling.
- How to Calculate Roofing Squares and Shingle BundlesWork out roof area, roofing squares and shingle bundles from the size of the house and the pitch, with a slope-multiplier chart and waste factors.
- Retaining Wall Materials: How Many Blocks and How Much GravelHow to estimate a segmental retaining wall: blocks, caps, drainage stone, base and pipe, with a chart for common wall sizes and the rules for drainage and permits.
- Waste Factors Cheat Sheet: How Much Extra Material to BuyHow much extra to buy for concrete, flooring, tile, drywall, decking, shingles, paint and more, with a waste-factor table and why running short costs more.
- Sod vs Grass Seed: Cost, Timing and Which to ChooseCompare sod and grass seed on cost, time, effort and results, with how much of each you need for 1,000 square feet and the best time of year to plant.
- Tankless Water Heater Sizing: GPM, BTU and kW ExplainedHow to size a tankless water heater from flow rate and temperature rise, with a BTU chart by GPM, gas versus electric, and why electric units need so many amps.
- What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need? BTU Chart by Room SizeChoose the right air conditioner size: BTU needed by room size, how to adjust for sun, ceilings and people, and why bigger is not better.
- What Size Generator Do I Need? Wattage Chart for Your HomeHow to size a portable or standby generator: running vs starting watts, a wattage chart for common appliances, and real examples from 2,000 to 20,000 watts.
- What Size Portable Power Station Do I Need? Wh, Watts & SolarHow to size a portable power station: watt-hours vs watts, how long it runs common devices, a wattage and running-cost chart, and how many solar panels recharge it.
- What Size Water Softener Do I Need? Grain Capacity ChartHow to size a water softener from household size and water hardness, with a grain capacity chart, hardness levels, the iron adjustment and regeneration.