Home Project Guides
These guides explain the measurements and rules of thumb behind our calculators: how to measure, which depth or coverage figure to use, how much extra to buy, and where estimates usually go wrong. Each one includes worked examples in US and metric units.
Gravel & stone
Use with the Gravel Calculator.
- How Much Gravel Do You Need for a Driveway?
Work out driveway gravel in cubic yards and tons. Layer depths for new and resurfaced driveways, a worked 60 x 12 ft example, metric equivalents and common ordering mistakes.
- Gravel Types and Sizes: #57, Pea Gravel, Crusher Run and How Deep to Lay Them
What #57 stone, #3 stone, pea gravel and crusher run actually are, which jobs each suits, and how deep to lay each layer, with metric sizes and a patio base example.
- Cubic Yards to Tons: Converting Gravel Volume to Weight
Convert cubic yards of gravel to tons and back, with typical density ranges, short ton vs metric tonne, a conversion table and worked examples in US and metric units.
Fencing
Use with the Fence Calculator.
- How Many Fence Posts Do You Need? Spacing and Counting Guide
Count fence posts correctly for wood, vinyl and chain-link fences. Typical post spacing, the sections-plus-one rule, corners and gates, and a full backyard example in feet and metres.
- How Much Concrete Do You Need Per Fence Post?
Calculate concrete for fence posts from hole diameter and depth. Bag yields for 40, 60 and 80 lb mixes, a per-post table, a 31-post worked example, and metric conversions.
- Wood vs Vinyl vs Chain-Link: Planning Fence Materials
Plan a complete material list for a wood, vinyl or chain-link fence. Component-by-component counting rules and a side-by-side 100 ft example with posts, rails, pickets, panels and fittings.
Paint
Use with the Paint Calculator.
- How Much Paint Do You Need for a Room? A Step-by-Step Method
Calculate wall paint for any room - measure, subtract doors and windows, multiply by coats and divide by coverage. Worked 12 x 14 ft example, room-size table and metric conversions.
- Primer and Number of Coats: How to Plan Your Paint Job
When you need primer and when you can skip it, how many coats each situation takes, primer coverage, and a worked new-drywall example with gallons for primer and paint.
- Estimating Ceiling and Trim Paint
Estimate ceiling paint for flat and sloped ceilings and trim paint for baseboards, casings and doors. Linear-foot method, worked room example, whole-house approach and metric units.
Mulch
Use with the Mulch Calculator.
- How Much Mulch Do You Need? Depth Guide and Coverage Math
Calculate mulch in cubic yards or bags. Recommended depths for beds, trees, paths and playgrounds, coverage tables, a worked multi-bed example, irregular shapes and metric units.
- Bagged vs Bulk Mulch: Cost and Coverage Compared
Compare bagged and bulk mulch on real cost per cubic yard, coverage, delivery and labor. Bags-per-yard conversions, a break-even formula with a worked example, and metric equivalents.
- Mulch Types and When to Replenish
Compare shredded hardwood, pine bark, pine straw, wood chips, straw, rubber and stone mulch. How fast each breaks down, how to check depth, and how to calculate a top-up in yards and bags.
Flooring
Use with the Flooring Calculator.
- How to Measure a Room for Flooring, Including Irregular Shapes
Measure square footage for flooring accurately - rectangles, L-shaped rooms, closets, bay windows, angled walls and curves. Worked 424 sq ft example, metric conversions and common errors.
- Flooring Waste Factor: Straight, Diagonal and Herringbone Layouts
How much extra flooring to buy for straight, diagonal, herringbone and chevron layouts. Waste percentages, why they differ, a worked 400 sq ft comparison, and when to add more.
- Laminate vs Vinyl Plank vs Hardwood: Estimating Boxes and Total Cost
Estimate boxes and full project cost for laminate, luxury vinyl plank and hardwood. Reading box coverage, what extras each floor needs, a side-by-side 12 x 15 ft example and metric units.