Guides
Straight answers to common build-and-remodel questions, each with the calculator to run your own numbers.
- Grout Color: White vs Grey vs Charcoal vs Tone-on-ToneSame tile, four grout colors, four different floors. White grout shows every line and every stain, grey hides dirt and reads neutral, charcoal turns the layout into a graphic grid, tone-on-tone makes the joints disappear. Which one to pick by room, tile and how much cleaning you will do.
- Herringbone vs Straight Tile LayoutHerringbone wastes about 15% of your tile against 10% for a straight grid, takes noticeably longer to lay because every edge is a 45° cut, and needs a plank-shaped tile. Straight is cheaper, faster and calmer. Which one to choose by room size, tile shape and budget, with the numbers.
- Scandinavian Color Palette: The Exact Hex CodesThe five-color Scandinavian palette with hex codes you can paste into any paint app: soft white #F4F1EA, warm oat #E4D8C2, pale ash #CDBBA0, muted sage #A9B6A6, ink #2C2C2C. Plus how to split them across a room, which materials carry the look, and the bulb temperature that keeps it warm.
- How Much Does It Cost to Pour a 10x10 Concrete Slab Yourself?About $450–$800 in materials to pour a 10x10 slab yourself, vs $500–$1,000 installed. Bag counts, short-load prices and the full DIY shopping list.
- Board Feet vs Linear Feet vs Square Feet: What's the Difference?A linear foot measures length only. A board foot is volume: 1 in thick × 12 in wide × 1 ft long (144 cu in). A square foot is area. Formulas + examples.
- 1/2 vs 5/8 Drywall: Which Thickness Do You Need?Use 1/2 in drywall on most walls. Use 5/8 in Type X on garage ceilings under living space, for fire ratings, and on ceilings framed 24 in on center.
- How Many Bags of Concrete Do You Need Per Fence Post?Most 4x4 fence posts take about 0.9 cu ft of concrete: 2-3 bags of 50 lb mix, two 60 lb, or two 80 lb. Exact counts by hole size, plus whole-fence math.
- How Many Drywall Screws Per Sheet?Figure about 32 screws per 4x8 drywall sheet - 28 at code-minimum wall spacing, up to 36 at 12 in spacing. Here are the spacing rules and the math.
- How Much Gravel Do You Need Under a Concrete Slab?Most slabs need 4 in of compacted gravel, 6 to 8 in for driveways. That is about 1.2 cubic yards per 100 sq ft. Tables, code numbers, and the math.
- How Much RedGard Do I Need for Shower Walls?Most shower walls take about 2 gallons of RedGard: it covers 55 sq ft per gallon at the required two coats. Here's the math and the pail sizes to buy.
- How Thick Should a Concrete Slab Be for a Shed?A 4-inch (100 mm) slab handles a typical garden shed. Go 5 to 6 inches for tractors or heavy machines, and thicken the edges to carry the walls.
- What Is a Comfortable Stair Riser Height?A comfortable stair riser is 7 to 7.5 inches with a 10-11 inch tread. Code allows up to 7¾ in - here's the rule that ties riser and tread together.
- How Far Can a 2x8 Deck Joist Span?A No. 2 Southern Pine 2x8 deck joist spans 13 ft 1 in at 12 in on-center, 11 ft 10 in at 16 in, 9 ft 8 in at 24 in (40 psf). SPF spans less. Table inside.
- How Thick Is R-30 Insulation?R-30 is roughly 9 to 10 inches of fiberglass batt, 8.6 in of cellulose, or 4.6 in of closed-cell spray foam. Divide 30 by the material's R per inch.
- How Do You Calculate Shadow Length?Shadow length = object height ÷ tan(sun elevation). A 6 ft post casts 6 ft of shadow at a 45° sun and 16.5 ft at 20°. Here's the formula, table and math.
- How to Measure Roof PitchHold a level out 12 inches and measure down to the roof - that rise is your pitch. A 6 in drop is 6:12 (26.6°). Three ways to measure it, step by step.
- What Is the Recommended Attic R-Value by Climate Zone?Attics need R-30 in climate zone 1, R-49 in zones 2-3, and R-60 in zones 4-7 (2021 IECC / Energy Star). Here's the zone table and the thickness it takes.
- What Slope Do You Need for Patio Drainage?A patio needs at least ¼ inch of fall per foot - about a 2% grade. A 12-foot patio drops 3 inches; under 1% water ponds. Here's the math and the table.
- How Much Does It Cost to Remodel a Bathroom?Most bathroom remodels run $70–$250 per square foot - about $4,800–$10,000 for a 40 ft² mid-range bath. Here's what drives the price and how to estimate yours.
- How Many Stairs Do You Need for a 9-Foot Ceiling?A 9-foot ceiling usually needs 15–16 stair risers, not 14 - because the floor above adds to the rise. Here's the math, the code limits, and how to get an exact count.
- What Is the Minimum Roof Pitch for Asphalt Shingles?Asphalt shingles need at least a 2:12 pitch - but only with a double underlayment. 4:12 and up is a standard install. Below 2:12, use a low-slope membrane instead.