Creating a custom outdoor living space is an incredible milestone. At long last, the dream of having the perfect backyard oasis becomes a reality. There is one crucial mathematical element you need to address before pouring even starts. It is important to order the right amount of concrete in order to stay on schedule and within budget.Â
Buying too little may mean risking a cold joint that would decrease the structural integrity of your concrete slab. Buying too much will lead to wasted money and resources. Pouring concrete slabs is one of our specialties, and as concrete contractors in Edmond, OK, we understand that knowing exactly how much material you will need sounds frightening. Actually, getting an exact volume of your patio slab does not have to be so complicated after all.
At Bill’s Custom Concrete, we take care of all this stress for you!Â
How Our Team Measures the Amount of Your Concrete Patio Area
Determining the Area of a Simple Rectangle Patio Space
The first thing we do is determine the two-dimensional surface area of your future slab. For a basic rectangle patio space, the process is pretty easy. Just grab a tape measure and find the length and width of the area we want to fill with concrete. Multiplying the two values will give you the total square footage of the area, which is the starting point for…how do I calculate concrete yards?Â
For example, if your patio extends for 15 feet across from your house and 20 feet along the back wall, multiplying those two numbers will give you 300 square feet. As always, we suggest double-checking to make sure your base figures are correct.
Dealing with Complex Shapes by Dividing Them into Geometrical Parts
Most custom patio areas have some kind of shape other than a basic square or rectangle. Curved edges, a unique layout, or even an L-shape may complicate the calculations. But we have a way of dealing with such situations in a very practical manner. Instead of trying to estimate the entire patio slab at once, we break it down into several pieces and estimate each of them separately,Â
How do I figure concrete yards that are odd in shape? Just imagine dividing an L-shape into two rectangles – you would get two squares that will be calculated individually. By doing it like this, we make sure nothing falls between the cracks.
Factoring in the Depth to Estimate Volume
The surface area is only one-third of the equation, as the concrete is poured in three dimensions. In order to get an exact amount of your patio material, you have to account for its depth. In general, it is recommended to have the patio depth of four inches. This is more than enough for foot traffic, standard furniture, and barbecues. But if you plan to use your new patio for a large masonry fire pit, a hot tub, or any other item with significant weight, consider making your concrete patio thicker – six inches, for example. This is an important part of the formula for figuring concrete.
Converting the Figures into Cubic Yards
Concrete comes by cubic yards, which makes it necessary to do some calculations. You need to convert your patio depth into feet – by dividing the initial depth in inches by 12. Thus, 4 inches would become 0.33 feet. Then, you multiply your total square footage by the result. After that, you simply divide the sum by 27 (there are exactly 27 cubic feet in one cubic yard) to figure out concrete cubic yards. We suggest adding 10% to the final number to make room for any contingencies.
Why Relying on a Professional Concrete Crew Makes Sense
We understand that you are already feeling relieved about finally calculating the yardage of your patio slab. However, this is just one side of the coin. Having calculated the amount of concrete, you still need to pour it. And this is where problems usually arise. Spreading, leveling, and finishing concrete is not a task that can be completed quickly and easily. Weather conditions and subgrade preparation are key factors in obtaining a beautiful result. Luckily, you can leave everything to our custom concrete professionals at Bill’s.
Looking Forward to Starting Your Backyard Transformation?
Now, when you know everything about calculating the amount of concrete needed, you are ready to move on to the next step. If you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of completing the pouring and finishing procedures on your own, you have found the right people to rely on. Feel free to contact our custom concrete specialists to book a consultation and find out what else we can do for you with figuring out concrete.
Rapheal Guinn at Bill’s Custom Concrete & Yard Drainage assists clients with concrete crack repairs, foundation work, and yard drainage solutions such as french drains and excavation.
