CHARLOTTE – When you take on a landscape project large or small, mathematics is crucial.
It doesn’t take Einstein to use some simple conversion formulas to determine what you need to beautify your home, lawn, and garden. Let’s go over a few:
Length X Width = Square Feet – The Square Feet measurement is most often used to determine the number of cubic yards you need for mulch and soil, or, the number of tons for stone walkways, patios, or driveways. For example 1 cubic yard of mulch will cover a 10 Feet X 10 Feet (100 square feet) area at a standard 3” depth.
3 Feet High X 3 Feet Long X 3 Feet Wide = 27 Cubic Feet or 1 Cubic Yard – Most bulk mulch and soil products and, in many cases, gravel are sold by the cubic yard. Bagged mulch and soil products usually come in 2 or 3 cubic feet bags. 13 1/2 – two cubic feet bags or 9 – three cubic feet bags make up 1 cubic yard.
Linear Feet = Actual length – Linear Feet measurement is often used when building a stone wall or installing borders surrounding natural areas, gardens, and the home. For example One ton of dry stack thin stone will build a 20 feet long, 12-inch high wall.
Tons and Pounds = One Ton or 2000 Pounds is the unit of measurement often used when determining the amount of decorative stone and gravel needed for walkways, walls, patios, and driveways. For example, 1 Ton of Dry Stack/Veneer Stone will cover an area of 100 to 120 Square Feet.
For an accurate cost estimate of the materials you wish to purchase, your first step is to determine the unit of measurement required. Then, using the appropriate conversion formula, determine the number of actual units necessary for coverage. Finally, multiply the number of units by the cost per unit.
