22 free calculators for construction, home and garden.
Home, garden and building projects start with measuring an area and turning it into a quantity to buy. These calculators cover the usual materials, such as gravel, mulch, topsoil, sod, pavers, tile, flooring, paint, drywall and lumber, and some of the layout math for stairs, fences and decks. Each one shows the formula, a worked example and the assumptions, so that you can check the result and adjust the waste allowance for your own job.
Measure twice, then add a waste allowance. Most materials are sold in set sizes, so round up to the next full unit and keep a little spare for cuts, repairs and mistakes. Check coverage figures on the product label, because they vary by brand.
