Calculating Material

How Much Material Do You Need?

One of the questions we get asked most is how much material a job needs. The truth is, it depends on the job: it's size, layout and the type of material being used are all factors. This is why we like to let our professional staff help you figure out the right amount for your job. We consider things like size, shape, square footage, even intended use, to help us determine our suggested recommendations. It's also why we don't include an estimating calculator; we really want to understand your needs so we can help you get the best results. This said, you might find the following rules of thumb for estimating material interesting.

Estimating Material

(To Be Considered As Guidelines Only)

Conversion Chart – Square Feet to Cubic Yards

Converts square feet to cubic yards 1 cubic yard will cover the following amount of square feet at the given depth.

  • 1/4” deep: 1296 square feet
  • 1” deep: 324 square feet
  • 2” deep: 162 square feet
  • 3” deep: 108 square feet
  • 4” deep: 81 square feet
  • 6” deep: 54 square feet
  • 12” deep: 27 square feet 


Recommended Depth of Materials

  • Mulches: 3”
  • Stone less than 1" diameter: 3"
  • 1-1 1/2" Riverstone: 4"
  • Soil for Lush Lawns: 4+"
  • Garden Soil in Flower Beds: 6-12"
  • Lawn topdressing: 1/4"
  • Pathways: 4" 


Rectangles

  • Measure Length and Width (in feet)
  • Length x Width = square feet
  • Determine desired depth of material (Recommended depths are in the chart)
  • Square feet divided by sq. ft. per yard (from chart) = cubic yards needed
  • Example: A rectangular area 20 feet long by 10 feet wide and you want 4 inches deep of stone.
  • Calculations:
  • 20 x 10 = 200 square feet
  • 200 divided by 81 = approximately 2.5 cubic yards (81 comes from the conversion chart. It is how many square feet 1 cubic yard covers at a 4 inch depth)



Here are some tips for estimating differently shaped spaces.


Triangles

  • Measure length and width of 2 sides
  • Length x Width x 0.5 = square feet
  • Square feet divided by sq. ft. per yard (from chart) = cubic yards needed
  • Example: Given a triangle are where one side is 40 feet long, one side is 10 feet long and you want 4 inches deep of mulch or stone
  • Calculations:
  • 40 x 10 x 0.5 = 200 square feet
  • 200 divided by 81 = 2.5 cubic yards (81 comes from the chart)


Circles

  • Determine radius (1/2 distance of diameter or distance across)
  • Formula: Radius x Radius x 3.14 = square feet
  • Square feet divided by sq. ft. per yard (from chart) = cubic yards needed
  • Example: Given a circle 30 feet across (15 ft radius) and you want 3 inches deep
  • Calculations:
  • 15 x 15 x 3.14 = 706.5 square feet
  • 706.5 divided by 108 = 6.5 cubic yards 


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