Home project guides
Plain-English guides to go with our calculators: how to measure, how much to order and what to watch for.
- Concrete Slab Thickness Guide: How Thick Should Your Slab Be?How thick to pour a concrete slab for a patio, walkway, shed, driveway or garage, plus base, reinforcement, joints and curing basics.
- Deck Joist Spacing and Composite vs Wood Decking ExplainedHow far apart to space deck joists, how that changes the number of joists you need, and how wood and composite decking compare.
- Fence Post Depth and Spacing: How Deep and How Far ApartHow deep to set fence posts, how far apart to space them, how much concrete to use, and what to check before you dig.
- Gravel vs Crushed Stone vs Pea Gravel: Which Should You Buy?How gravel, crushed stone and pea gravel differ, which works best for driveways, paths and drainage, and how much to order.
- How Deep Should Mulch Be? Depth, Types and When to ApplyHow deep to spread mulch, how to choose between bark, shredded wood, compost, straw and stone, and when to refresh your beds.
- How Many Bags of Concrete Are in a Yard? 40, 50, 60 and 80 lb ChartHow many 40, 50, 60 and 80-lb bags of concrete make a cubic yard, how far each bag goes, and when ready-mix delivery makes more sense.
- How Many Bags of Mulch Are in a Cubic Yard? Coverage ChartHow many 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 cubic foot bags of mulch fill a cubic yard, how far each bag goes, and how to compare bags with bulk mulch.
- How Many Square Feet Does a Gallon of Paint Cover?A gallon of paint typically covers about 350 to 400 square feet. Learn what changes that number and how many gallons you need for your walls.
- How Many Tiles Are in a Square Foot? Tile Quantity Chart by SizeSee how many tiles fit in a square foot for common sizes like 4×4, 6×6, 12×12 and 12×24, and how to work out how many tiles to buy.
- How Much Does a Cubic Yard of Gravel Cover? Coverage Chart by DepthSee how many square feet a cubic yard or a ton of gravel covers at 1 to 6 inches deep, plus how to convert between yards and tons.
- How to Calculate Square Footage of a Room, Yard or Irregular ShapeLearn how to calculate square footage for rectangles, L-shaped rooms, triangles and circles, with formulas, examples and conversions.
- How to Measure a Room for Flooring, Paint and TileA step-by-step guide to measuring any room, including L-shaped rooms, doors and windows, and how much extra to buy for flooring, paint and tile.
- Laminate vs Vinyl Plank Flooring: Which Is Better for Your Home?Compare laminate and vinyl plank flooring on water resistance, feel, durability and installation, and learn how many boxes you will need.
- When to Plant Grass Seed: Best Timing for Cool and Warm Season LawnsThe best time to plant grass seed depends on your grass type. Learn the timing, how to prepare the soil and how to water new seed.