Measure and plan
How to Calculate Square FootageSquare footage is the number every material estimate starts from. Here is how to get it right for simple and awkward spaces.How Many Tons Are in a Cubic Yard?A cubic yard is a volume and a ton is a weight, so the answer depends on what you are buying. Here are typical figures and how to convert.
Heating, cooling and energy
What Size Furnace Do I Need?Furnace size comes down to how much heat your house loses on the coldest days. Here is how to get a reliable ballpark before you talk to an installer.How Many Square Feet Does a Ton of AC Cool?Central air conditioners and heat pumps are sold in tons. Here is what a ton is, how much space it typically covers and why the rule of thumb is only a starting point.What Is a Cord of Wood?Firewood is sold in cords, face cords, ricks, truckloads and cubic meters. Only some of those units are standard. Here is how to know what you are paying for.Is a Space Heater Cheaper Than Central Heat?A space heater can save money or cost more than your furnace. It depends on your energy prices and how you use it. Here is how to work it out.What R-Value Do You Need in the Attic?The attic is usually the easiest and most cost-effective place to add insulation. Here is how much to aim for and how deep that is.How to Use a Portable Generator SafelyWinter storms bring power outages, and portable generators bring carbon monoxide risk. Here is how to set one up and run it safely.How Much Do Christmas Lights Cost to Run?Holiday lights can cost a few dollars for the whole season or many times more. The difference is mostly LED versus incandescent and how many hours they stay on.
Paint, walls and floors
How Many Coats of Paint Do You Need?Two coats is the usual answer, but not always the right one. The surface, the color change and the paint itself all decide it.How Much Extra Tile Should You Buy?Ordering exactly the floor area almost guarantees you run short. This is how much extra to add, and why the pattern matters.How to Measure a Room for FlooringAccurate measurements decide whether you order the right number of boxes. Here is how to measure simple and awkward rooms.Drywall Sheet Sizes and ThicknessesThe sheet you choose changes how many joints you tape, how many people you need and how much you buy.How to Calculate Wallpaper RollsDividing wall area by roll area underestimates wallpaper. Counting strips gives the real number. Here is how.Sanded vs Unsanded GroutThe choice between sanded and unsanded grout comes down mainly to one measurement: how wide your grout joints are. Here is the rule, the exceptions and how much you will need.What Size Trowel Do I Need for Tile?Pick the trowel by the size of the tile, then check the result by lifting a tile. Here is a notch chart and the coverage you are aiming for.How to Measure for CarpetCarpet is not ordered by floor area alone. Because it comes in fixed-width rolls, how you lay it out decides how much you pay for. Here is how to measure.How to Prepare a Garage Floor for EpoxyMost epoxy floors that peel fail because of the concrete underneath, not the coating. Here is how to test and prepare the slab so the epoxy bonds.When Is the Best Time to Paint the Outside of a House?Exterior paint lasts longest when it goes on in the right conditions. Temperature, moisture and sun matter as much as the paint you buy.How Long Does Deck Stain Take to Dry?Deck stain has several drying milestones, from touch-dry to full cure. Here is what each means, typical times for water and oil-based stain, and what changes them.Types of Drywall Joint CompoundDrywall mud comes in ready-mixed and powder forms, each with strengths for different coats. Here is what each type does and how to choose.
Concrete and masonry
How Thick Should a Concrete Slab Be?Thickness decides both how strong a slab is and how much concrete you order. Here are the common starting points and what changes them.Concrete Block Sizes and DimensionsAn 8 × 8 × 16 block is not really 8 × 8 × 16. Here is how block sizes work, which widths to use, and how to plan a wall around them.How Many Bricks per Square Foot?The number depends on the brick and the mortar joint. Here are the figures for common bricks, the simple formula behind them, and how to use them for a whole wall.How Deep Should a Paver Base Be?The base is what keeps a paver patio flat for years. Here are common depths for each use, how deep to excavate, and how to work out the material.How Deep Should a Retaining Wall Base Be?The trench is the part of a retaining wall nobody sees, and the part that decides whether it stays straight. Here is how deep and wide to make it for a segmental block wall.Rebar Sizes and WeightsRebar is named by a number in the US and by millimeters almost everywhere else. Here is what each size means, how much it weighs, and how to use the numbers.Fast-Setting vs. Regular Concrete for Fence PostsBoth will hold a fence post. The difference is how you place them, how long you wait and which posts they suit. Here is how to choose and how to do each one right.
Lumber, framing and roofing
Roof Pitch, Squares and Shingle BundlesRoofers talk in pitches, squares and bundles. Once you know what each means, you can check any roofing estimate yourself.What Is a Board Foot?The board foot is the unit lumberyards use to measure and price wood by volume. Once you know how it works, comparing quotes gets much easier.Standard Stair Rise and RunRise is the height of each step and run is its depth. Get them right and a stair feels natural; get them wrong and people trip.What Thickness Plywood for a Subfloor?The right subfloor thickness depends on how far apart the joists are and what goes on top. The stamp on the panel tells you most of what you need.How Tall Should Baseboards Be?Baseboard height is a design choice, but a few proportions make rooms look right. Here are the common sizes and how to pick yours.How Far Apart Are Rafters?Most roofs are framed at 16 or 24 inches on center. The choice affects how many rafters you buy, the sheathing you need and how the ceiling is finished.How to Measure a Gable for SidingGable ends are triangles, and most of the time you can find their area from the ground. Here is how, plus the other odd shapes you meet on a house.How Far Apart Are Studs?Studs in most homes are 16 inches apart, measured center to center. Knowing that makes it easier to hang shelves, plan a wall and buy the right amount of lumber.
Yard, garden and exterior
How Deep Should Mulch Be?The right depth suppresses weeds and holds moisture. Too much does the opposite. Here is how deep to go for each part of the garden.How Much Gravel Do You Need for a Driveway?A gravel driveway is built in layers, and each one needs its own calculation. This guide walks through depth, stone type and weight.Fence Post Spacing and DepthPost spacing and depth decide how straight a fence stays over the years. Here are the common rules and when to change them.Deck Board SpacingThe right gap keeps a deck draining and stops boards buckling. The right joist spacing keeps it from feeling springy.How Much Does a Pallet of Sod Cover?Sod farms sell by the pallet, but pallet sizes are not standard. Here is how to read a quote and work out how many pallets your lawn needs.When Is the Best Time to Overseed a Lawn?Overseeding works best when the soil is warm enough for seed to sprout and the weather gives seedlings time to settle in. That window depends on your grass.What Is the Best Soil Mix for Raised Beds?A raised bed needs soil that drains well, holds moisture and stays loose for years. These are the mixes gardeners use most and how to work out quantities.What Do the Numbers on Fertilizer Mean?Every bag of fertilizer carries three numbers, such as 10-10-10 or 24-0-6. They tell you exactly how much of each main nutrient the bag contains.How Much Should You Lower Pool Water for Winter?Lowering the water protects the skimmer and tile from freezing damage, but too much can harm the pool. Here is how to decide and how to calculate the gallons.How Thick Should an Asphalt Driveway Be?The thickness of an asphalt driveway is really two numbers: the compacted asphalt on top and the stone base under it. Both decide how long the driveway lasts.How Many Rain Barrels Do You Need?A single storm can fill far more barrels than most people expect. Size storage to the roof that feeds each downspout, and plan the overflow from day one.