Whatever kind of construction work you’re carrying out, chances are you’ll require a substantial amount of concrete or screed at some point. 

To maximise the efficiency of your project, it’s important that you know how much concrete or screed you’ll require; otherwise, you could find your project delayed by shortages and may end up paying for materials you don’t actually need.

But how do you accurately calculate the volume of concrete or screed your project requires? The team here at Tor Multimix is here to help with this step-by-step guide. 

Key measurements

In order to correctly calculate the amount of concrete or screed you’ll require, you’ll need to work out the volume of the space you’d like to fill. For this, you’ll need three key measurements, but to ensure accuracy, make sure you use the same unit of measurement for all three, i.e. metres:

• Length: The longest side of the area
• Width: The shortest side of the area
• Depth: The required thickness of concrete or screed for your project

How to calculate the right volume of concrete and screed

Working out the right volume of concrete or screed is much easier than you’d think; simply multiply together the three dimensions above and this will calculate the volume in cubic metres (m³).

Volume = Length x Width x Depth

For example, if you’re laying a concrete driveway that is 8m by 6m and 10cm deep, the calculation would be:

Volume = 8 x 6 x 0.1 = 4.8m³

However, it’s only natural that there might be spillages or slight miscalculations that you haven’t accounted for. Therefore, it’s a good idea to factor in a small margin of error and add an extra 5-10% to be on the safe side.

If you don’t fancy doing the maths yourself, why not use our handy concrete calculator? Simply enter the dimensions of your project and it can do the rest for you. Our friendly team is also on hand if you need any more help ordering the correct amount.

What to consider when calculating the volume of concrete or screed

Although they appear similar, concrete and screed are two distinct products and understanding these differences will ensure you get the right amount for your project. While you use the same formula (as mentioned above) to work out the right volume of both products, there are several practical considerations you’ll need to take into account when calculating how much concrete or screed you’ll require. 

• Thickness: Concrete is used to provide strength and durability to a structure, meaning a much thicker layer is typically required. Meanwhile, screed is applied in a much thinner layer on top of a concrete subfloor, so you’ll typically need this in smaller quantities.
  

• Surface finish: To ensure a smooth, even surface, it’s essential the finish of your screed is exactly right. This means you’ll need to be incredibly accurate with your measurements. By contrast, concrete is often used as a base material, meaning it doesn’t require the same extreme precision.
  

• Site conditions: If you’re working on a complex project or a challenging site with uneven terrain, you may need to account for higher levels of wastage.
  

No matter the scale or complexity of your construction project, the team here at Tor Multimix will ensure you get the right volume of concrete or screed every time. With over 40 years of experience working across Glastonbury, Bridgwater, Wells, Somerset, Dorset, West Wiltshire, Bristol, Bath and beyond, you can trust us to provide the highest quality products.

If you’d like more help to calculate the volume of concrete or screed you need, contact us today – our friendly team is happy to assist.