Practical guides for planning home improvement projects: how much material to buy, how thick or deep to build, and how the options compare on cost and upkeep. Every guide links to the calculator that does the math for your own measurements.
Concrete
GuideHow Thick Should a Concrete Slab Be?
Most patios, walkways and shed floors are poured 4 inches thick; driveways for heavier vehicles 5 to 6 inches. Typical thicknesses by…
GuideBagged Concrete vs Ready-Mix: Which Is Cheaper?
Bagged concrete usually wins below about half a cubic yard and ready-mix above one cubic yard. How to compare your own prices,…
GuideConcrete Bag Yield Chart: 40, 60 and 80 lb Bags
How much concrete one bag makes: about 0.30 cu ft for a 40 lb bag, 0.45 cu ft for 60 lb and…
GuideHow Much Concrete Do I Need? Slab Formula, Table and Examples
Multiply length × width × thickness in feet and divide by 27 to get cubic yards. Worked examples, a quick table for…
Decking
Drywall
Fencing
GuideFence Post Hole Depth: Frost Lines, Soil and Post Height
A common rule is to bury one third of the post's total length, plus 6 inches of gravel at the bottom, in…
GuideFence Post Spacing: How Far Apart Should Posts Be?
Most wood fences put posts 8 feet apart, many builders use 6 feet for extra stiffness, and chain-link line posts go no…
Flooring
GuideLaminate vs Vinyl Plank Flooring: Cost and Durability
Laminate has a wood-fiber core and is water-resistant at best; luxury vinyl plank has a vinyl core and handles water far better.…
GuideHow Much Extra Flooring Should You Buy?
Buy about 5% extra for hardwood laid straight, 10% for laminate and vinyl plank, and 15% or more for diagonal and herringbone…
Landscaping
GuidePaver Patio vs Concrete Patio: Cost, Durability and Upkeep
A poured concrete patio usually costs less up front; a paver patio costs more but is easier to repair one piece at…
GuideHow Deep Should Mulch Be in a Garden Bed?
Spread mulch 2 to 4 inches deep: 2 to 3 inches of fine or composted mulch, 3 to 4 inches of coarse…
GuideHow Deep Should Gravel Be for a Driveway?
A gravel driveway surface is typically placed 6 to 8 inches deep loose and compacted to about 4½ to 6 inches, over…
GuideHow Deep Should a Paver Base Be?
Patios and walkways usually need 4 to 6 inches of compacted crushed stone under 1 to 1½ inches of bedding sand; residential…
Paint & Wallpaper
GuideHow Many Coats of Paint Do You Need?
Most interior walls need two coats of paint, plus a coat of primer on new drywall, bare wood, stains or a big…
GuideWallpaper Pattern Repeat: Straight Match, Drop Match and Waste
The pattern repeat is the vertical distance before a design repeats. Straight match, drop match and random match explained, and how a…
GuideHow Much Does a Gallon of Paint Cover?
A gallon of interior wall paint typically covers 350 to 400 square feet per coat, a quart about 100 sq ft and…
Planning & Budget
Roofing
Tile
GuideTile Installation Materials and Cost Breakdown
Besides tile, a floor needs thin-set, grout, backer board or underlayment, fasteners and tape. How much of each to buy for 100…
GuideTile Layout Patterns: How Much Extra Tile Do You Need?
Order about 10% extra tile for a straight grid, 15% for diagonal and herringbone layouts, and 15 to 20% for L-shaped or…