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For homeowners & contractors
How to measure a room
Accurately measuring interior rooms is fairly simple and can help you calculate many different project costs. This includes flooring, interior painting, interior trim replacement, drywall replacement, and insulation. Remember to measure each segment of the area in question and add them. Floor area is usually equivalent to ceiling area unless you have a vaulted ceiling or some other variation.
Measure the length and the width of your room. Then multiply to find the area of each segment. L1(25')xW1(20') = 500 sqft. and L2(10')xW2(10') = 100 sqft. This living room has a floor space and ceiling space of 600 sqft. each. Most all flooring products can be determined by square footage.
While measuring square footage of wall space remember to subtract the space occupied by windows and doors. Notate the dimensions of your windows and doors if your replacing trim or resizing openings. If your working on a paint project keep in mind doors may need two or three coats. Walls usually need two coats. Drywall traditionally comes in 4'x8'(32 sqft.) or 4'x12'(48 sqft.) sheets. Drywall needs to abut factory edges on their horizontal plane.
Measure the height and length of the room. H(12')xL(20')=240sqft. Subtract the area of the door and window. DH(7')xDW(3')=28 sqft. & WH(4')xWW(3')=12 sqft. The total wall area is 200 sqft. For trim add all dimensions of the doors and windows + the length along the floor. The door and window contain 31'. The baseboard contains 17', 48' in total.
Remember to add each wall of the room in question. Trim is calculated by linear foot. Rolled fiberglass insulation can be purchased by the square foot. Exterior walls are primarily constructed with 2x6's, and interior partitions are primarily constructed with 2x4's. Spray foam insulation is usually installed if the entire wall is opened and renovated. Take your time and document each measurement carefully.
written by Robert on 4/29/21
published by RMestimates
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