Concrete
Figure out how many bags of concrete you need for slabs, footings, fence posts, and columns — with ready-mix comparisons.
Bagged Concrete vs. Ready-Mix: Which Should You Use?
Use bagged concrete for under 1 cubic yard. Above that, ready-mix wins on cost and effort. Break-even is ~45 bags, where a truck becomes cheaper and faster.
Concrete Cure Time: When Can You Walk, Drive, or Build on It?
Concrete is walkable in 24–48 hours, ready for vehicles in 7 days, and at full design strength in 28 days. Temperature and mix type shift every milestone.
How Much Concrete Do You Need for Fence Posts?
Most 4×4 fence posts need 1–2 bags of 80-lb concrete per post. Gate posts and corner posts need 2–4 bags. Hole size and depth determine actual concrete volume.
Concrete Slab Thickness: What You Need for Each Project
Patios and sidewalks need 4 inches. Driveways need 4–6 inches. Garage floors need 5–6 inches. Foundations need 8–12 inches. Thickness guide with ACI code references.
How Many Bags of Concrete Do I Need?
A 60-lb bag yields 0.45 cu ft; an 80-lb bag yields 0.60 cu ft. A 10×10 ft slab at 4 in thick needs 62 bags of 80 lb mix. Full table and worked math inside.
How to Pour a Concrete Slab: Step-by-Step
Pour a concrete slab in 8 steps: mark, excavate, build forms, add gravel base, pour, screed, finish, and cure. Full guide with material list and safety notes.
Rebar vs. Wire Mesh for Concrete Slabs
Wire mesh controls shrinkage cracks in light slabs. Rebar provides structural strength for driveways and loaded slabs. Here's when to use each—and when to use both.