# CraftedCalcs

> Free residential construction calculators with cited formulas, transparent math, and IRC / ICPI / ASTM standards references. Built by Madabusi Ventures LLC for DIYers and contractors. Every formula is shown; every code reference deep-links to the authoritative source. Estimates only — verify with your local building authority before construction.

## Live calculators

- [Stair Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/stair-calculator/): Rise, run, and stringer length for residential stairs. Cites IRC R311.7.5 (max 7-3/4 in rise, min 10 in run, min 36 in width, min 80 in headroom). Outputs riser/tread count, actual per-step rise, total horizontal run, stringer length via Pythagorean, 2R+R ergonomic check, and a lumber-availability note when stringer exceeds typical 12-14 ft 2x12 retail stock.
- [Sheetrock Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/sheetrock-calculator/): Drywall sheets, joint compound, tape, screws, and weight for a single residential room. Cites ASTM C36 / C840 / C1396 + IRC §721 (Type X 5/8 in for 1-hour fire-rated assemblies). Adjusts mud calculation by finish level (Level 4 / Level 5 / Knockdown). Sheet-size comparison panel runs 4x8 / 4x10 / 4x12 side-by-side.
- [Paver Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/paver-calculator/): Pavers, sand bedding, gravel sub-base (cubic feet + tons for truck-delivery ordering), edge restraint, polymeric joint sand, and geotextile fabric. Cites ICPI Tech Spec 2 / 3 / 4 + ASTM C936 / C1782 / C33 / D698. Handles rectangle, L-shape, circle (fire pit), and curved walkway shapes. Project type (patio / walkway / driveway-light / driveway-heavy / fire-pit) drives base depth; soil type and climate exposure stack small adjustments on top (capped at +6 in total).
- [Attic Insulation Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/attic-insulation-calculator/): Bags of blown insulation needed to hit a target R-value, accounting for existing R already in place. DOE climate-zone table (R-30 to R-60 by zone) drives the recommended target. Includes a fiberglass-vs-cellulose-vs-rockwool material comparison panel and a R-value-to-inches-of-coverage converter for rolled batts.
- [Hardwood Flooring Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/hardwood-flooring-calculator/): Boards, cartons, and install-method materials (adhesive gallons for glue-down, underlayment sqft for floating). Pattern-specific NWFA-cited waste factors (10% straight / 15% diagonal / 20% herringbone). Board-width-aware board count (12 / boardWidth formula). L-shape room support with cutout deduction.
- [Laminate Flooring Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/laminate-flooring-calculator/): Planks, cartons, and underlayment for click-lock or glue-down laminate. AC-rating wear guide, door-clearance check, moisture-barrier flag. NALFA-cited 10% straight / 15% diagonal waste. Default 4-inch carton coverage; user can override per their product label.
- [Concrete Slab Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/concrete-slab-calculator/): Cubic yards, 80lb and 60lb bag counts, and ready-mix-truck comparison for residential slabs. IRC R506.1 thickness-compliance check (3.5 in min for non-load-bearing). Handles rectangle and L-shape footprints. Pre-mixed bag pricing tier guide (QUIKRETE / Sakrete coverage rates).
- [Vinyl Flooring Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/vinyl-flooring-calculator/): LVP cartons, underlayment, adhesive, and moisture barrier — with click-lock / glue-down / loose-lay branching and concrete-vs-wood subfloor handling. RFCI-cited waste factors (10% straight / 15% diagonal). Attached-underlayment toggle honors manufacturer warranty rule (no extra cushion under attached pad). 6-mil polyethylene moisture barrier flagged required on any concrete subfloor (even with attached pad).
- [Tile Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/tile-calculator/): Tiles, boxes, thinset bags, and grout pounds for floor, wall, and backsplash tile. Boxes are computed from the square feet per box on YOUR label (no invented tiles-per-box table — box counts are SKU-specific). Layout-pattern waste factors (straight 10%; diagonal / herringbone / large-format 15%). Thinset bags by trowel notch using conservative coverage from Custom Building Products VersaBond TDS-119 + LATICRETE 254 Platinum (3/16 V ~90, 1/4 sq ~80, 1/4x3/8 ~60, 1/2 sq ~35 sq ft per 50 lb bag). Grout pounds from joint width × tile size × thickness × verified grout material density (sanded 104 / unsanded 86 / epoxy 100 lb/cu ft). Surface mode (floor / wall / backsplash). ANSI A137.1 shade-variation V-scale referenced via the CTASC explainer. Quantity-only: does NOT check substrate flatness, deflection (L/360), waterproofing, or code/permit compliance.
- [Carpet Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/carpet-calculator/): Linear yards of carpet roll, padding (cushion) square footage, tack-strip linear footage, and transition strip count for residential broadloom installs. Roll-width selector (12 ft / 13'2" / 15 ft) with seam-aware math — flags when room width exceeds roll. Padding decoupled from carpet waste factor (no over-buy). L-shape room support with cutout. CRI 105-aligned 8% no-seam / 10% seamed industry-practice waste factors.
- [Fire Pit Paver Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/how-many-pavers-for-a-fire-pit/): Pavers per course, total wall pavers, base materials (sand, gravel, edge restraint, polymeric sand), and metal fire ring/liner sizing for any fire pit diameter (3-8 ft). Dry-stack or mortared install. Cites ICPI Tech Spec 2. Material-safety section compares concrete pavers vs kiln-fired brick vs fire brick for direct-fire exposure.
- [Deck Joist Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/deck-joist-calculator/): Joist count, total lineal feet, joist hangers, rim joist lineal feet, and mid-span blocking for residential deck framing. Cites IRC R507.5 (40 psf live + 10 psf dead, L/360 deflection) span tables across 4 species (Southern Yellow Pine / Douglas Fir-Larch / Hem-Fir / SPF), 2 grades (No. 1 / No. 2), 4 sizes (2x6 / 2x8 / 2x10 / 2x12), and 3 spacings (12 / 16 / 24 in o.c.). §2 compliance disclosure shows what was checked (joist span, cantilever ratio per IRC R507.5.1) vs not checked (beam, post, footing, ledger, lateral load — see IRC R507.6 / R507.7 / R507.3 / R507.9 / R507.2.4). Rectangle and L-shape (wraparound) deck support with corner-cutout subtraction; AWC DCA-6 inside-corner doubled-rim recommendation surfaced for L-shape decks.
- [Deck Beam Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/deck-beam-calculator/): Prescriptive beam size (single 2×N / doubled / tripled built-up) for residential decks. Cites IRC R507.5 (40 psf live + 10 psf dead, L/360 deflection) and AWC DCA-6 beam span tables across 4 species (SYP / DFL / Hem-Fir / SPF), 2 grades (No. 1 / No. 2), and 3 ply configurations (1-ply / 2-ply / 3-ply). §2 compliance disclosure shows what was checked (beam span, tributary width, species/grade) vs not checked (post, footing, ledger, lateral load). Rectangle and L-shape deck support with corner-bearing beam guidance per AWC DCA-6. Composite-decking max joist-spacing warning (16 in o.c. straight / 12 in diagonal) per manufacturer warranty requirements.
- [Deck Railing Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/deck-railing-calculator/): Post count, baluster count, top/bottom/cap rail lineal feet, and stair handrail trigger for residential deck guards. Cites IRC R312 (guard height ≥36 in, 4-inch sphere passing test per R312.1.3) + IRC R311.7.8 (handrail required ≥4 risers, 34-38 in height range) + R507.10 post connections + AWC DCA-6 Figure 30 post spacing (6 ft for 2×4 cap / 8 ft for 2×6 cap — note this is DCA-6 guidance, not an IRC numeric maximum). §2 compliance disclosure separates guard checks vs handrail checks and surfaces what was NOT checked (post-anchor capacity, lateral 200 lb concentrated load R301.5, composite manufacturer warranty, 6-inch stair triangular sphere exception R312.1.3, IRC 2021 R507.10.2 notched-post ban, local jurisdiction amendments). Rectangular and L-shape deck support with inside-corner shared-post deduction. Three railing materials (pressure-treated wood / composite / aluminum) with material-specific manufacturer max-spacing warning (Trex/TimberTech/Fiberon ~8 ft).
- [Stair Stringer Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/stair-stringer-calculator/): Stringer length (Pythagorean diagonal), notch geometry (tread cut depth, riser cut depth), throat depth check against AWC DCA-6 Fig. 28 5.5-inch minimum, stringer count from stair width and spacing, and standard 2×12 board count with waste. Cites IRC R311.7.5.1 (max 7-3/4 in riser, min 4 in riser), R311.7.5.2 (min 10 in tread), R311.7.1 (min 36 in stair width), and AWC DCA-6 Fig. 28 (5.5-in throat min, 16-in o.c. stringer spacing max for 1-inch tread). Itemized §2 compliance disclosure separates what was checked (riser height, tread depth, throat depth, stringer spacing, stair width) vs not checked (stringer attachment, landing requirements, headroom R311.7.2, local amendments). Three material variants: PT 2×12 (AWC DCA-6 primary verified path), PT 2×10 (shallow stair / limited notch), engineered LVL (must NOT be notched — unverifiedProvisions[]). unverifiedProvisions[] surfaces 9+ standard items plus material-specific notes.
- https://craftedcalcs.com/concrete-block-calculator/ — Calculate CMU blocks, mortar bags, and waste for any concrete block wall — with door/window opening deductions and compliance notes.
- [Blown-In Insulation R-Value Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/blown-in-r-value-calculator/): Compute total R-value from installed depth (forward mode) or required install depth for a target R (inverse mode). Supports Owens Corning AttiCat (fiberglass, R-2.79/in settled, no settling) + Greenfiber INS515LD (30 lb cellulose, R-3.33/in) + Greenfiber INS541LD (19 lb cellulose, R-3.22/in) + Generic cellulose (FTC R-Value Rule §460.5 baseline). ASTM C739 settling math (15-20% loose-fill cellulose, ~0% fiberglass). DOE 2020 IRC + ENERGY STAR Most-Recommended climate-zone R targets shown side-by-side. Exact bag counts from manufacturer TDS coverage charts. Customer-task focused: pick the bag on your pallet, get the answer.
- [Drywall Mud Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/drywall-mud-calculator/): Joint compound gallons, tape lineal feet, and drywall screws by finish level (GA-214-2021 Level 4 / Level 5 / Knockdown) and tape type (paper vs fiberglass mesh). USG Sheetrock All-Purpose / Plus 3 Lightweight / Westpac coverage rates baked in; mesh tape adds ~25% mud per USG TDS. Tape constant 55 LF / 100 sqft and screw count 32 per 4×8 wall sheet / 40 per ceiling sheet per IRC R702.3.5. Bucket count (4.5-gal default) + Level-4 vs Level-5 vs Knockdown comparison row (Level 5 adds ~1.5 gal/100 sqft skim coat).

## Long-tail answer pages (Type-4 — informational, NOT calculators)

These pages are anchored to specific natural-language Google queries and provide deep-dive informational content alongside the flagship calculators. Each page is ~1,000 words, has a Quick Answer above the fold, and cross-links UP to its flagship calculator.

- [How Much Insulation Do I Need in My Attic?](https://craftedcalcs.com/how-much-insulation-do-i-need-in-attic/): Anchors the attic insulation calculator. DOE 8-zone climate map with R-value targets for both uninsulated and existing-partial scenarios, energy-savings projections by city (Toledo OH, Atlanta GA, Phoenix AZ, Minneapolis MN), comparison with spray foam + rigid foam, Energy Star 25C federal tax credit eligibility (30% rate, $1,200 annual cap, materials-only).
- [Blown-In Insulation Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/blown-in-insulation-calculator/): Install-method-specific deep dive. Blower rental terms (Home Depot / Lowe's free with bag minimums), dense-pack (3.5+ lb/cu ft for walls) vs loose-fill (1.5 lb/cu ft for attics), wet-spray vs dry-blown applications, equipment cost + time estimates, wall-cavity drill-and-fill retrofit. Cites IECC N1102.4 (air-barrier requirements) and IRC R806.3 (rafter baffle ventilation ratio).
- [Cellulose Insulation Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/cellulose-insulation-calculator/): Cellulose-specific deep dive. Borate vs ammonium-sulfate fire retardants (buyer-decision factor), 18-20% settling factor over 1-2 years (overfill required), air-sealing premium for cellulose's airflow-permeable nature (~10-15% effective R loss without sealing), N95/P100 respirator requirements during install, cost comparison cellulose vs blown fiberglass at R-49.
- [How Big Is a Sheet of Drywall (Sheetrock)?](https://craftedcalcs.com/how-big-is-a-sheet-of-drywall/): Pure dimension-answer page. Full weight matrix at 4 sizes × 3 thicknesses (1/4" standard, 1/2" standard, 5/8" Type X), commercial 4×16 availability reality (special-order at most retail), drywall lift / panel hoist tipping point ($45-55 daily rental vs second-laborer cost), Type X moisture-resistant variant scope. Cites ASTM C1396 ±1/16" tolerance and IRC R702.4 wet-area scope.
- [Stairs With a Landing Calculator](https://craftedcalcs.com/stairs-with-landing-calculator/): IRC R311.7.6 landing dimensional minimums (36" width, depth ≥ stair width, 80" headroom), IRC R311.7.3 12-foot flight cutoff (when an intermediate landing becomes mandatory), L-shape vs U-shape design tradeoffs, split-flight worked example using the stair calculator, landing structural framing (post + ledger + joists with cross-link to deck-joist calc).
- [AttiCat Blown-In Insulation Guide](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/atticat-blown-in-insulation/): Anchors the attic insulation calculator. Owens Corning AttiCat L77 coverage chart: R-19 (110.7 sq ft/bag), R-30 (~29 bags/1,000 sq ft), R-49 (~48 bags/1,000 sq ft). AttiCat expanding-bag system — compressed fiberglass expands 3× via OC-specific blower (not interchangeable with cellulose blower). Depth comparison: AttiCat R-49 ≈ 16.25 in vs cellulose at 13.2 in. No-settling property. Brand comparison: Greenfiber SANCTUARY / Owens Corning AttiCat at R-30/R-38/R-49 bags per 1,000 sq ft. DOE zone targets, vapor retarder requirements by zone, DIY install checklist.
- https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/drywall-thickness-guide/ — When to use 1/2, 3/8, 5/8-inch drywall for walls, ceilings, and fire assemblies — with IRC R702.3 and UL fire assembly references.
- https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/concrete-curing-times/ — How long concrete takes to cure: 28-day strength timeline, temperature adjustment table, and curing methods — ACI 308 referenced.
- https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/waste-factor-by-material/ — Waste factors for hardwood, vinyl, carpet, tile, and drywall — why the 10% rule fails for diagonal and patterned layouts.
- [Insulation R-Value Depth Chart by Brand & Zone](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/insulation-r-value-depth-chart/): Master blown insulation reference: depth × R-value × bags per 1,000 sq ft for Greenfiber INS515LD (R-49: 14.8 in / 56 bags), Greenfiber INS541LD (R-49: 15.2 in / 83.5 bags), Owens Corning AttiCat fiberglass (R-49: 17.0 in / 25 bags). Reverse lookup (existing depth → current R). DOE + ENERGY STAR zone targets converted to inches by brand. R-per-inch: cellulose 3.26–3.33 vs fiberglass 2.79. Cost comparison by brand. Common mistakes: depth-vs-R confusion, settling calculation, air sealing before blowing. FTC 16 CFR Part 460 basis.
- [Cellulose R-Value per Inch: Loose-Fill vs Dense-Pack](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/cellulose-r-value-per-inch/): Anchors the Blown-In R-Value Calculator. Per-brand R-per-inch: Greenfiber INS515LD 3.26–3.33 R/in (30 lb bag); INS541LD 3.13–3.26 R/in (19 lb bag); dense-pack cellulose 3.5–4.0 R/in at ≥3.5 PCF. ASTM C739 (specification) vs ASTM C518 (thermal test method) distinction. FTC 16 CFR Part 460 mechanics — why coverage-chart depth is settled depth. Depth lookup at R-30/R-38/R-49/R-60 by brand. Cellulose vs AttiCat depth comparison (cellulose 1.5–2.5 in shallower at same R). Common mistakes: depth-vs-R confusion, mixing brands mid-job, dense-pack rate applied to loose-fill, skipping air sealing.
- [Topping Up Attic Insulation: How Many Bags to Add](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/topping-up-attic-insulation/): Anchors the Blown-In R-Value Calculator. Bags-to-add formula: (target_R - existing_R) / R_per_inch / sqft_per_bag. Bags-to-add matrix: existing depth (3/4/6/8/10/12 in) x target R (R-38/R-49/R-60) for AttiCat fiberglass. Multi-spot depth measurement method (≥5 spots, average, 0.80-0.85 settling penalty for pre-1990 cellulose). Mixing compatibility: AttiCat over fiberglass batts / blown cellulose / old loose-fill (all compatible if dry); any layer over wet/damaged existing (remove first). Soffit baffle extension check (baffles must extend ≥12 in above final depth per IRC R806). Vapor retarder placement error (retarder goes ceiling-side, NOT on top of insulation). Top-up vs tear-out decision matrix. Cost comparison AttiCat vs Greenfiber for R-30 increment. DOE top-up zone targets (Zones 4-8: R-49; Zones 2-3: R-38). ASTM C739 settling math.
- [AttiCat R-40 Coverage Chart: Bags per 1,000 Sq Ft](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/atticat-r-40-coverage-chart/): Anchors the Attic Insulation Calculator. R-40 interpolated bag count from Owens Corning AttiCat L77 TDS (~20 bags/1,000 sq ft at ~14.25 in initial depth — interpolated between published R-38 and R-44 rows, disclosed). Multi-attic-size table (1,000/1,500/2,000/3,000 sq ft) with 10% overage buffer. Top-up delta math: existing R-13 → R-40 = ~13 bags vs full-attic ~20 bags. Zone 4 narrative for R-40 as practical above-code utility-rebate target. Cost comparison: R-40 ~$1,487 vs R-38 ~$1,419 vs R-49 ~$1,892 per 1,000 sq ft. Settled vs initial depth distinction. 8-step DIY install checklist + 5 common mistakes.
- [AttiCat R-60 Coverage Chart: Bags per 1,000 Sq Ft](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/atticat-r-60-coverage-chart/): Anchors the Blown-In R-Value Calculator. R-60 directly PUBLISHED bag count from Owens Corning AttiCat PDS 10011273-K (Dec 2025) — 31.8 sqft/bag at 20.5 in installed depth, ~32 bags / 1,000 sq ft (buy 36 with 10% buffer). Multi-attic-size table (1,000 / 1,500 / 2,000 / 3,000 sq ft). R-49 vs R-60 cost decision matrix: marginal 8 bags + $541 per 1,000 sq ft for R-11 jump. Zone 7-8 DOE recommendation + 2021 IECC code minimum for Zones 7-8. ENERGY STAR new-construction attic spec (R-60 across most US ZIPs). Section 25C $1,200 cap analysis — 30% credit on $2,433 = $730 (1,000 sq ft below cap); $1,329 (2,000 sq ft over cap). Rafter-baffle 21+ in clearance critical at 20.5 in depth per IRC R806 1:150 rule. 0% settling (vs cellulose ~7%) means installed depth = final depth. 8-step DIY install checklist + 5 common mistakes (wrong-zone R-60 selection, short baffles, skipped air-sealing, 32-bag-no-buffer order, single-pass install). Cross-links to R-40 sibling for Zone 4 top-up audience. Pricing 2026-05 HD $67.58/bag ($64.20 bulk 30+). FTC 16 CFR Part 460 settled-depth basis.
- [Cellulose Insulation Thickness Chart by R-Value](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/cellulose-insulation-thickness-chart-by-r-value/): Anchors the Cellulose Insulation Calculator. Depth-by-R-value matrix for cellulose blown insulation: at R-49, Greenfiber SANCTUARY (formerly INS515LD) requires ~13.3 inches (settled) / ~70.8 bags per 1,000 sqft; SANCTUARY DEFENSE (formerly INS541LD) shares the identical chart. Comparison row for fiberglass: Owens Corning AttiCat ~17.0 inches at R-49 (no settling but lower R/inch). ASTM C739 settling rule + FTC 16 CFR Part 460 R-Value Rule (settled vs initial depth distinction is FTC-required disclosure). DOE / ENERGY STAR climate-zone R-value targets. Common mistakes: measuring initial vs settled depth, mixing brands mid-job, skipping air-seal before blowing. Settled-depth top-up math (~5-7% settling for cellulose added to existing settled layer, vs ~7% per current Greenfiber chart on new install).
- [How to Calculate Stair Runner Length](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/how-to-calculate-stair-runner-length/): Anchors the Stair Calculator. Stair runner length formula is ADDITIVE — `(tread depth + riser height) × number of steps + top overhang + bottom overhang` — NOT the diagonal Pythagorean stringer formula. CRI 105 §6 cited. Worked example: 14-tread stair at standard 11-inch treads + 7-inch risers + 6-inch landing overhang each end = (14 × 11) + (14 × 7) + 6 + 6 = 264 inches = 22 lineal feet. Add 10-20% waste for solid color, 20%+ for patterned/striped. Standard runner widths: Natco/Mohawk 27" or 30"; Karastan wool 27" or 30"; Mohawk synthetic also available in 36". Runner widths vs stair width (typically 36" per IRC R311.7.1) give exposed-edge per side. Common mistake: using diagonal stringer formula = orders 50% less than needed.
- [Sheetrock Thickness Chart by Application](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/sheetrock-thickness-chart-by-application/): Anchors the Sheetrock Calculator. Drywall thickness reference matrix: 5 thicknesses (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8", 3/4") × 6 applications (walls / ceilings 16" o.c. / ceilings 24" o.c. / fire-rated assemblies / wet areas / curves + overlay). Cites GA-216 (Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products), ASTM C1396 (±1/16" tolerance), and IRC R702.3.8 (wet-area tile-backer ban on MR/greenboard — cement board required). Brand product-name table: USG Sheetrock (UltraLight, Mold Tough, FIRECODE Type X) vs CertainTeed ProRoc vs National Gypsum Gold Bond, all HD+Amazon per CP258 §16.2. Why 1/4" cannot be single-layer (USG J371 explicit). Why 1/2" sags on 24" o.c. ceilings + 16" o.c. cutoff with sag-resistant listing. Why 5/8" Type X is the GA Fire Resistance Design Manual default for garage-to-house + dwelling-unit separations.
- [Blown-In Insulation by Retailer: HD vs Lowe's vs OC](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/blown-in-insulation-by-retailer/): Anchors the Blown-In R-Value Calculator. Home Depot vs Lowe's blower rental terms: free 24h with 20+ bags cellulose (both); AttiCat expanding-bagger blower HD-exclusive (not at Lowe's). AttiCat blower minimum: 10–20 bags at HD. Bag-minimum cliff: returning bags below threshold may trigger retroactive rental charge (~$75–$100/day). Brand availability: GreenFiber Sanctuary (~$13–$22/bag) at both retailers; AttiCat (~$35–$50/bag) primarily HD. Private-label brands: Arctic Fiber (Lowe's) and Northern Fiber (HD). Return policy: 90 days, unopened bags only. Price-per-sq-ft comparison at R-30: cellulose ~$0.55/sq ft vs AttiCat ~$1.25/sq ft. Blower deposit ~$50–$250 credit card hold. DOE 8-zone R-value targets. IRC R806 rafter-baffle requirement. @asOf 2026-Q2 pricing.
- [Blown-In Wall Insulation: Dense-Pack R-Value & Cavity Math](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/blown-in-wall-insulation/): Anchors the Blown-In Insulation Calculator. How blown-in insulation works in WALLS (not the attic floor): walls are dense-packed by density, not depth. DOE Insulation Materials cited for dense-pack density (1.5 to 3.5 lb per cubic foot, 3.5 lb/cu ft common dense-pack target) and the drill-and-fill retrofit (remove siding strip, drill 3-inch holes one per stud bay, fill tube to top of cavity, dense-pack, plug, replace siding). Open-wall new construction uses fabric netting blown full from the face. Cavity R by stud depth at the engine's 3.7 R/in cellulose constant: 2x4 (3.5 in) ~R-13, 2x6 (5.5 in) ~R-20, 2x8 (7.25 in) ~R-27; fiberglass column at 2.79 R/in. Wall coverage math is volume × density: net wall area minus ~15% framing fraction × cavity depth × density ÷ bag weight (worked example: 400 sq ft 2x4 wall = ~14 bags at 3.5 lb/cu ft). Vertical-cavity settling vs attic floor (why dense-pack is required), wall vapor control (interior Class III latex-paint retarder, drying inward), DOE 2021-IECC wall R-targets by zone, cost ($10–$16/bag DIY; $1.50–$2.50/sq ft contractor drill-and-fill). Differentiated from the attic guides on the wall/dense-pack wedge. Greenfiber SANCTUARY is the current cellulose product (INS515LD/INS541LD retired). @asOf 2026-06-27.
- [Thinset & Grout Coverage by Trowel, Tile Size & Joint Width](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/thinset-grout-coverage/): Anchors the Tile Calculator. Thin-set coverage per 50 lb bag by trowel notch (3/16 V ~90, 1/4 sq ~80, 1/4x3/8 ~60, 1/2 sq ~35 sq ft) — conservative low end from Custom Building Products VersaBond TDS-119, LATICRETE 254 Platinum, and The Tile Shop coverage guide. Grout pounds by joint-volume geometry × verified material density (sanded 104 / unsanded 86 lb per cubic foot): 12x12 tile 1/8 sanded ~4.5 lb / 100 sq ft; 3x6 subway 1/16 unsanded ~7.0 lb / 100 sq ft. Sanded-vs-unsanded 1/8 inch joint boundary; epoxy sold by kit. Large-format back-butter penalty (1/2 notch doubles thin-set per sq ft). Bag/grout cost table. All numbers pinned to the tile calculator engine (KP-56). ANSI A137.1 V-scale via the CTASC GREEN explainer.
- [Tile Size & Coverage Chart: Tiles & Sq Ft per Box](https://craftedcalcs.com/guides/tile-size-coverage-chart/): Anchors the Tile Calculator. Square feet per box by tile size — 12x12, 12x24, 6x24 plank, 18x18, 24x24, 3x6 subway, mosaic — presented as ILLUSTRATIVE ranges from named Daltile/Marazzi fact sheets (box counts are SKU-specific; there is no generic tiles-per-box authority). The real method: read the sq-ft-per-box printed on YOUR box and divide your area (plus waste) by it — exactly the tile calculator's sqFtPerBox input. Nominal vs actual sizing (a 12-inch tile is often 11-5/8 to 11-7/8 inch), coverage including grout joints, trim/bullnose counts, and pallet/case quantities. Cost per box and per sq ft ranges.

## Methodology

- All math formulas exposed inline via FormulaBlock components on each calc page. Pythagorean for stringer length, ASTM-published coverage rates for drywall, ICPI Tech Spec base depths for pavers.
- Per-pattern paver waste % validated against forum voice-of-customer (r/landscaping, r/HardscapeContractors, ContractorTalk): 5% running bond / 10% herringbone-90 / 18% herringbone-45 / 8% basketweave / 22% circular / 25% curved.
- Climate adjustment for paver base depth is a small planning addition (max +4 in), NOT the local frost-line excavation depth. Local frost depths (often 24-48 in in cold zones) inform design decisions but do not become aggregate thickness directly.
- Calculator outputs cross-validated against published contractor cost guides (Angi, LawnLove, HomeAdvisor) and competing calculator tools (Procore, theCalcs, Inch Calculator) — within 0-6% of consensus on shipped scenarios.

## Legal scope

- Estimates only. Not professional engineering, architectural, or contracting advice.
- Calculator outputs do NOT certify structural detailing, install quality, fire-rating, sound-transmission class, vapor-barrier class, frost-protection adequacy, drainage design, or any code-specific requirement.
- Confirm all dimensions and applicable codes with your local building authority before construction.
- Full disclaimer at https://craftedcalcs.com/disclaimer.

## Contact

- Feedback form: https://craftedcalcs.com/feedback
- Publisher: Madabusi Ventures LLC

## Coming soon

- Vinyl siding calculator (M2 sprint queue)
- Roof shingle, rafter length, roof truss calculators (M3 sprint queue)
- Type-4 long-tail dimension answer pages (e.g., "how much drywall for a 12x12 room", "vinyl plank cost per square foot")