How Much Recycled Concrete Aggregate for a 16x20 Shed Base?
How much recycled concrete aggregate for a 16x20 shed base: at 4 inches deep you need about 3.95 cubic yards, which is roughly 5.1 tons at 1.3 tons per yard. The shed base covers 320 square feet, so every inch of depth adds about 0.99 yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 16x20 shed base
- Area: 16 × 20 = 320 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 4 ÷ 12 = 0.333 ft.
- Cubic feet: 320 × 0.333 = 106.7 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 3.95 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.3 = 5.1 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
Recycled concrete aggregate needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 in | 2.96 | 3.9 | 4.2 |
| 4 in | 3.95 | 5.1 | 5.6 |
| 6 in | 5.93 | 7.7 | 8.5 |
About recycled concrete aggregate
Ask whether the recycled concrete has been screened for rebar and debris. Fresh-crushed concrete can also be alkaline, so keep it away from sensitive plantings and streams. If the yard sells by the cubic yard instead of the ton, use the cubic-yard column directly.
Preparing the shed base
Level the footprint, extend the stone a foot or so beyond the shed walls for drip and drainage, and compact in lifts. A timber or block border holds the pad shape. This shed base sees a shed floor frame, so match the depth to that load rather than to the minimum.
Ordering tips
- Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
- Delivery size. 5.6 tons fits in a single typical dump truck load; small loads may carry a delivery fee. See how many tons of gravel in a dump truck.
- Bulk vs bags. At this size bulk delivery is usually the practical choice.
- Where it drops. Have the truck dump as close to the shed base as firm ground allows.
When to choose recycled concrete aggregate
Works well for:
- Driveway and pad bases
- Temporary construction entrances
- Fill under slabs when compacted in lifts
Think twice for:
- Near ponds, streams or sensitive plants, since fresh crush can raise pH
- Decorative top layers
- Drainage layers, unless the product is clean and screened
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.40 tons of recycled concrete aggregate (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.0 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 12x24 area at 4 inches takes about 4.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.3 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
Questions people ask
How many tons of recycled concrete aggregate for a 16x20 shed base?
About 5.1 tons at 4 inches deep, or 5.6 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 16x20 shed base at 4 inches?
About 3.95 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of recycled concrete aggregate weigh?
Usually around 1.2 to 1.4 tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.
How deep should recycled concrete aggregate be for a shed base?
The table above shows 3 to 6 inches. Shallower depths suit top dressing; deeper depths suit new installs and heavier use.
How many square feet is 16x20?
320 square feet.
Related guides
- Crushed Stone vs Gravel: Differences and Best Uses
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Many Tons of Gravel in a Dump Truck? Loads and Coverage
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- How Much Recycled Concrete Aggregate for a 16x14 Shed Base?
- How Much Recycled Concrete Aggregate for a 16x16 Shed Base?
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