Paint Sheens Explained: Flat, Eggshell, Satin, Semi-Gloss
Paint sheen is how shiny the dried paint looks. From least to most shiny, the common sheens are flat, matte, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and … Read more
Guides and how-tos
Home and yard project guides
Clear answers for planning a project: how thick, how deep, how far apart and which material to choose, each linked to the calculator that does the math.
Drywall Thickness: Which Size Goes Where
The standard drywall thickness for walls is ½ inch, and it is the most common board in homes. ⅝ inch drywall is used on … Read more
Roof Pitch Chart: Common Roof Pitches Explained (4/12, 6/12, 8/12 and More)
Roof pitch is how many inches a roof rises for every 12 inches it runs across, written as rise/12. Most houses have a pitch … Read more
How Tall Can a Fence Be? Standard Fence Heights and Rules
The standard fence height for a home is 6 feet in back and side yards and 3 to 4 feet in front yards. Most … Read more
Deck Joist Spacing and Deck Board Gaps
Most decks use joists spaced 16 inches on center. That is the common limit for standard 5/4 wood deck boards and for most composite … Read more
How Much Does a Yard of Gravel Weigh? (By Stone Type)
A cubic yard of gravel weighs about 1.4 tons, or roughly 2,800 lb. Most gravel and crushed stone falls between about 2,600 and 3,100 … Read more
Pea Gravel vs River Rock: Which to Use Where
The short answer: pea gravel is small, smooth stone about ⅜ in across that is comfortable to walk on, so it suits paths, patios, … Read more
Topsoil vs Garden Soil vs Fill Dirt: Which Soil to Use Where
The short answer: fill dirt is subsoil with little organic matter, used to fill holes and raise the grade. Topsoil is the darker upper … Read more
Best Time to Plant Grass Seed (and When to Overseed)
The best time to plant grass seed depends on your grass type. For cool-season grasses such as tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and … Read more