How To Use Our Drywall CalculatorHow much drywall will you need? Our drywall calculator will tell you. 1. Measure The Coverage Areas (Walls + Ceilings) 
Example: a room measuring 10 feet by 20 feet with a height of 8 feet will have a wall area of : 10 + 10 + 20 + 20 = 60 x 8 = 480 square feet and a ceiling area of 10 x 20 = 200 square feet The total drywall area of that room will be: 480 + 200 = 680 square feet Deduct the door and windows, let's say: 1 door @ 3 feet x 7 feet = 21 square feet 2 windows @ 3 feet x 5 feet = 15 square feet TOTAL: 36 square feet Net coverage area: 680 - 36 = 644 square feet Add 10% for waste: 644 + 65 = 709 square feet - the number to enter in field No. 1 of the drywall calculator. If your door+window area is small, omit the doors and/or windows figure and don't add 10% for waste. 2. Determine Panel Size. For a quick calculation, just use the size that you're likely to use the most; usually, that is the standard 4 by 8-foot panel. For a more exact estimate, do a separate calculation for the different sizes that you plan to use. 3. Joint Compound. The result you get is EITHER/OR, not some of each type. 4. Fasteners. The result you get is EITHER nails OR screws, not both. 5. Other Basic Necessities. This is just to make sure you don't get home with no tape. The primer is not urgent, and the drywall adhesive depends on the type of installation; you may not need it. IMPORTANT: this calculator is merely a guide. You or your contractor should check these figures with your supplier. I always order extra and keep the invoice in a safe place; I also make sure the merchandise is kept clean (this means, away from the workers' dirty hands and tools!) so that I can return all leftover supplies to the store for credit once the job is finished. Another use for this calculator is as a cross-check for a drywall contractor's estimate, if he's got the materials and labour listed separately (instead of as a price per square foot). You can see if his materials charges are "ballpark" or not. (Surprise! there are dishonest contractors out there.) |
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