How To Calculate Concrete
Concrete, which is a mix of water, aggregate, and cement, is most commonly sold by the cubic yard, but is also available in pre-mixed bags.
Its important to calculate the amount of material needed as accurately as possible since you often only get one chance for the pour.
Well cover the process for estimating concrete in detail below, but you can also use the calculator above to simplify the process.
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Imprinted Concrete Patio Cost Factors
There are many things that can impact the cost of your patio. The first is size; since most stamped concrete patios are priced by the square foot, the larger the patio the higher the costs will be. In addition, the more colors and details you add to your patio, the higher your final costs.
Stamped concrete can be done over an existing concrete patio or can be laid on bare earth that has been graded. If you need significant landscaping first or if you need an older patio removed, then this can increase the costs of your project as well.
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What Is A Good Size For A Back Porch
Whats The Average Back Porch Size? If youre aiming for a small back porch, it should be approximately six to ten feet by eight to 12 feet. Porches of this size do not require a lot of space to accommodate chairs and tables. Medium-sized back porches should be approximately 10 to 16 feet in terms of length and width.
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Will You Need Fencing Where Will It Go
Fencing can be used for a variety of different purposes, but is most often put in to keep children or pets safely away from the pool. Safety fencing can go directly around the pool,;or if you want to add a larger, permanent fence, you’ll need to consider how far out it will be going? Leave room for concrete to be poured for posts if needed.
Regardless of which type of fence;you use,;you will want to make sure you are including enough space to comfortably utilize the area between the fence and the pool. Remember, a fence will act in many ways like a wall, which means you won’t be;able to as easily access the space outside the confines of the deck as you would without a fence. So plan the space accordingly.
Formula For Needed Crushed Stone
Use this formula to determine how much crushed stone you will need for your project:
/ 27 = cubic yards of crushed stone needed
In the construction world, most materials are measured in cubic yards. Multiply the length , in feet, by the width , in feet, by the;height , in feet,;and divide by 27. This will tell you how many cubic yards of crushed stone you need.
As an example, let’s say your DIY project is a patio, and it calls for the use of crushed stone as a base. If your patio is 20 feet long and 10 feet wide, and you need;6 inches of crushed stone for the base, you would plug those numbers into formula, as follows:
/ 27 = 3.7 cubic yards
When using this equation, make sure all of your measurements are in feet. Since we needed 6 inches of crushed stone, we used 0.5 feet for the height .
If your number comes out as a fraction , round up. In the example above, you would round the 3.7 cubic yards of crushed stone to 4 cubic yards of crushed stone. It is better to have a little extra than to run short.
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Cost For Outdoor Concrete:
- Concrete Countertops Cost$65 – $135 per square foot
When compared with the cost of other materials decorative concrete is a mid-range option. Outdoors, asphalt, plain concrete and gravel are more affordable, while natural stone and pavers are more expensive. Indoors, laminates and ceramic tiles will cost less, while granite, marble and hardwood will cost more. Decorative concrete is great if you can afford to spend some extra money but dont want to break the bank.
When determining the cost of a decorative concrete project, materials and labor are two main factors. The typical materials used are concrete mix, forming supplies, texturing and coloring products, sealers, etc. Labor will vary depending on your project – its size, whether you have new or existing concrete, how detailed the decorative work will be and more. Get bids from multiple contractors to make sure you are getting a fair deal.
This decorative concrete patio looks like slate, but cost half as much. Salzano Custom Concrete in Centreville, V.A
Factors that influence the cost of decorative concrete:
- The number of colors used
- The number of stamping textures used
- The detail of the design
- Special details such as embeds
- Specialty form or mold work
- Level of polishing
Get a quote from a professional, they can often do the project at or below your cost due to economies of scale and access to the proper equipment. Find local concrete contractors here to request a quote.
Pricing History:
- 2020: $125 per yard
How Much Space Do You Need Around A Patio Table
How much space do you need around a patio table? This general rule is to add 3 feet to each side of a table for general functionality with chairs and walkways. When working with smaller outdoor spaces, you may be able to select smaller chairs and plan on 30 to 34 inches for sufficient spacing.
How big is a 6 person patio table?;Rectangular tables that measure 56 inches long can seat six, while those that measure 70 inches long can seat eight. If you need something even larger for your summer get-togethers, tables that seat up to 16 people are also available.
How big is a round patio table?;Round tables as a rule are available in sizes as small as 24 inches up to 60 inches. Square tables in general are available as small as 30 inches up to 64 inches. Rectangle tables can be as small as 40 inches in length up to 102 inches.
How big should a patio area be?;As a rule of thumb, 3m x 3m is a sensible size for a typical patio with a table big enough for 4 or maybe even 6 people. You can get away with smaller if there are less people, or if the furniture is dainty. You may also be able to keep the patio to a small size if you can overspill onto the lawn.
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Stamped Concrete Versus Pavers Cost Range
If you dont think you can swing a stamped concrete patio cost, you may consider pavers. Stamped concrete allows you to have a look that mimics different materials, and this includes stone pavers. Pavers are individual pieces of brick or stone that you lay beside one another to create a driveway or patio. Its a nice low-maintenance landscaping idea. Pavers come in several colors, and you can lay them out in different patterns. You do have more limits on the style and color than you do with concrete, but it can mimic the look of stone or wood.;
However, pavers are slightly more expensive than a basic stamped concrete patio cost. On average, pavers will cost between $11.00 and $15.00 a square foot. So, this makes them less expensive than a more complex stamped concrete design, and it puts them right up to the cost for a mid-range concrete patio. Pavers also offer the benefit of being more authentic because you use actual brick or stone rather than attempt to recreate them. This allows you to get a natural variation that youll pay a nice price for to try and recreate by hand painting concrete. They also dont crack like concrete. Pavers do shift and loosen, so this means youll have more maintenance. You can compare prices below:;
- 100 Square Feet
- Stamped Concrete $1,200 to $1,800
How Thick Should A Concrete Patio Be
While the average slab thickness for a patio is 4 inches, you may not want to simply pour a four-inch slab and move on. Why not? The answer is simple: not every patio is built in the same conditions or holds the same amount of weight.
For example, if your patio will be holding up a heavy hot tub, jacuzzi, or outdoor kitchen, you may want to pour the concrete thicker in those spots. Similarly, if you are pouring concrete on a slope, youll certainly be using a higher slab thickness at the lower part of the slope.
Will you be decorating with simple, average furniture like chairs, an outdoor sofa, and an umbrella? Or, are you building an outdoor kitchen, complete with a brick pizza oven? Is your slab going to be on a hill or have a lot of water draining beneath it?
Knowing the answers to these questions will help you calculate the right slab thickness for your concrete patio! The type of ground youre pouring over doesnt matter too much, since youll prep the ground before your pour. What does matter, however, is how much weight your concrete patio will need to support!
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Cost To Install A Cement Patio Calculator
Installing a patio is an excellent way to add more usable space to a backyard. A patio provides a comfortable environment for relaxing, barbecuing and entertaining. While many paving choices are available for patios, cement is a popular choice with homeowners. Cement patios are very durable and can be adapted to many landscaping styles.
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Tips For Working With Concrete
- Get a permit.;To make sure your project is compliant with local rules, check out local building codes and;obtain a permit;before breaking ground. Then, call an inspector to be sure your project is up-to-code before getting started.
- Required thickness for footings.;Concrete footings typically have a required thickness of 6 to 10. If youve done your homework and checked your local building codes, youll be able to find out how thick your footings need to be in order to remain compliant.
- Just add water.;Bags of concrete come pre-mixed, which means you simply add water and mix it in a wheelbarrow or portable mixer. Once mixed, all you need to do is pour it into various forms to create patios, footers, or walls to lay a foundation for your deck.
- Buy a little extra.;We recommend buying slightly more concrete that what you think you need in case you make a mistake with calculations, accidentally spill or add too much water to the mixture. Having extra concrete mix on-hand can help prevent project delays or having to run out and purchase more if you find you need more concrete than you originally thought youd require.
- Allow time to cure.;Give your concrete approximately 24 hours to set before you attach the post base or install the weight of the posts.
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Concrete Patio Removal Costs
You can use hand tools to break up or dig up an old patio or drive in large equipment to dig the soil to a uniform depth. The cost will include preparation of the area, protective measures set up for the home and surrounding trees, and removal of debris.
Concrete can be crushed and then reprocessed or recycled as a granular refill, course base material for new pavement, or as aggregate in new concrete. This saves you the transportation and disposal fees because recycling companies will pick it up, and youll avoid adding to landfills.
Work With A Professional
Installing a cement patio is more difficult than it looks. The concrete needs to be mixed carefully to ensure the end result is strong and durable. To prevent the patio from cracking, the site needs to be prepared before the concrete is poured. This project also requires specialized equipment that homeowners may not have access to, such as an automatic cement mixer. For best results, homeowners should consider seeking the advice of a professional.
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When In Doubt Go Bigger
Chances are, all of this is going to take up more space than you originally design. And that’s okay: people take up space and so does furniture – not to mention all the other fun stuff you might have planned. But remember, along with all this you’ll also need room to walk around. You’ll want to make sure you’ve given your space allocated for seating enough room away from the immediate;”splash zone”;so those who don’t go into the pool can enjoy the area while still remaining dry.
Our recommendation? Always go bigger than you think you might need. Remember, just because an area is designed as “deck space” doesn’t mean you can’t use it in other, creative ways. Items like;patio plants and garden boxes can do wonders to soften the edges and fill in blank space so you can end up with just the right mix of comfort and utility.
Broom Finished Concrete Patio Cost
This is a concrete surface finish that is broomed before it dries. An easy and cheap way to add a decorative edge that is slip resistant. Add on $0.40 to $1 per square foot.
- Appearance: With this finish, you can see the brushstrokes left behind when a stiff yard brush is dragged across the almost set concrete. The resulting finish is safe in all conditions because it is very difficult to slip on.
- Pros: Affordable, fast to complete for the installer, slip resistant
- Upkeep: Gentle pressure washing, and, like most sealed patio surfaces, should be resealed every couple of years to keep it in top condition.
- Summary: Great way to add an interesting and safer finish to concrete slag. Fast to complete and very affordable.
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How Much Is A Bag Of Concrete
Typically, concrete is sold in pre-mixed 60-lb. and 80-lb. bags. Most 60-lb. bags of concrete have a retail value of between $3.10 and $3.50, although you may be able to buy it cheaper in-bulk. An 80-lb. bag of concrete can cost between $3.50 and $4.00 per bag. However, you may be able to find it on sale for $3.00 or under, or get a discount if you purchase it in-bulk.
What Is Cheaper Poured Concrete Or Pavers
Concrete pavers are individually placed bricks that can provide a variety of designs and colors. Because of the nature of the labor involved and the cost of materials, a patio made from pavers can cost an estimated $4 $20 per square foot, depending on the size and detail of the design.
Choosing a plain concrete patio will most definitely save you money when compared to pavers. However, as you add upgrades, like stamping and coloring, the prices become more comparable.
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Calculating The Amount Of Base Fill
Granite Construction has an excellent base fill calculator on their site. Use this to figure how much material you need for the subgrade.
Using a Margin of Safety: Problems Caused by Underestimating the Amount of Concrete
Never try to order the exact amount of needed concrete. Include a margin of safety.
A perfectly placed order of concrete will finish the job with a small amount left over. A 20 cubic yard order with 1 cubic yard left over is a good order. A 20 cubic yard order that comes up cubic yard short is not a good order.
Concrete Patio Vs Pavers
While concrete pavers cost around $5 to $10 per square foot, it is a very manually intensive task resulting in more than 50% of the project cost coming from the labor costs. While both concrete and pavers need a good sub base, without correct impaction procedures, pavers can drift apart.
While costing more initially, your concrete pavers are likely to last between 25 to 50 years. Just like a concrete slab, it does pose the risk of cracking, but replacement is a lot cheaper than repairing a concrete patio because you only need to replace the cracked individual pavers.
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How Many Bags Of Concrete Do You Need
So far, weve covered how to calculate yards, but if your project is small, you can use pre-mixed bags of concrete. Pre-mixed bags are sold by companies like Quikrete or Sakrete, and come in 40-pound, 60-pound, or 80-pound sizes.
Using bags can be easier than ready-mix when you have many small pours or a small project where a truck is not practical or cost-effective. But, keep in mind that mixing bags on-site can become difficult if youre pouring a large slab or many footings.
For the most part, ready-mix concrete from a truck is more cost-effective than bags and makes sense if you have a mid-size project and can pour all at once.
So, how many bags of concrete do you need?
Calculating bags is a little less straightforward since each bag size will fill different volumes. Use the calculator above to estimate how many bags youll need.
The table below shows the average fill in yards for various pre-mix bag sizes. Check the bag youre using to find the exact fill-rate for the product.
| Bag Size |
|---|
| 45 |
Outdoor Kitchen And Entertainment Patio Cost
The cost of a patio large enough to hold an outdoor kitchen and entertainment area ranges from $6,912 to $21,600. This is a large, spacious patio that can be used for several things. Typical measurements are 24 x 36 or 864 sq.ft. This patio can be shaped in multiple ways to designate various areas. The kitchen may be located on one side, while a fire pit, seating areas, or hot tub may be on another. It is common for this patio to have pattern changes to designate various areas and create a visual separation.
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