Difference between revisions of "Measure a Room"
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| − | + | Knowing how to accurately measure a room will help with many home improvement projects, such as flooring and painting. Depending on the reason that you are measuring the room, different measurements need to be taken. For example, if you're putting in flooring, you need to know the area of the floor. If you are painting, you need to know the area of the walls and ceiling, and so on. This can be difficult if you've never done it before, and can be complicated by built-in features like sloping ceilings, recesses, and bay windows. | |
[[Category:Build Design & Remodel Own Home]] | [[Category:Build Design & Remodel Own Home]] | ||
| − | [[Category:Measuring and Marking Tools]] | + | [[Category: Measuring and Marking Tools]] |
==Steps== | ==Steps== | ||
===Measuring Floors=== | ===Measuring Floors=== | ||
| − | #Make a drawing of the floor plan in the room you are measuring.<ref>http://www.brintons.co.uk/measuring-your-room/</ref> You will use this drawing to record your measurements. The drawing does not have to be to scale, but the more accurate it is, the more useful it'll be. | + | #Make a drawing of the floor plan in the room you are measuring.<ref name="rf1">http://www.brintons.co.uk/measuring-your-room/</ref> You will use this drawing to record your measurements. The drawing does not have to be to scale, but the more accurate it is, the more useful it'll be. |
#*Since you are just measuring floors, including windows and doorways should not matter. | #*Since you are just measuring floors, including windows and doorways should not matter. | ||
#*Include all areas involved in your project. For example, if you’re putting in flooring and have a walk-in closet you are also flooring, draw the closet. | #*Include all areas involved in your project. For example, if you’re putting in flooring and have a walk-in closet you are also flooring, draw the closet. | ||
#*In this hypothetical drawing, there is a bathroom on the right (which is a separate room, so it is not drawn) and a bay window to the left (shown with a half circle). | #*In this hypothetical drawing, there is a bathroom on the right (which is a separate room, so it is not drawn) and a bay window to the left (shown with a half circle). | ||
| − | #Measure the length and width of the room’s main area. To calculate the area of a room, use the standard (Length) x (Width) = Area formula.<ref>http://www.lowes.com/cd_Measure+a+Room_1310580801_</ref> Measure the maximum length and width at the widest points of the room.<ref | + | #Measure the length and width of the room’s main area. To calculate the area of a room, use the standard (Length) x (Width) = Area formula.<ref name="rf2">http://www.lowes.com/cd_Measure+a+Room_1310580801_</ref> Measure the maximum length and width at the widest points of the room.<ref name="rf1" /> This is important and will help you get the correct measurements. |
#*Move any items or furniture in the way of your measuring tape. | #*Move any items or furniture in the way of your measuring tape. | ||
#*Having a friend hold the end of the tape could help. | #*Having a friend hold the end of the tape could help. | ||
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#*Write down the result in the recess area of your drawing. | #*Write down the result in the recess area of your drawing. | ||
#*Repeat this step if there are multiple recesses in the room. | #*Repeat this step if there are multiple recesses in the room. | ||
| − | #Calculate the area of any round recesses. Measure the longest length (usually through the center) and width of the recess.<ref>http://www.lowes.com/projects/other-activities/measure-a-room/project</ref> Do not measure further than the edge of the main area you already measured. Next, divide the length by two. Then, multiply this number by the width. Now, multiply the total by pi (3.14). Lastly, divide the area in half. | + | #Calculate the area of any round recesses. Measure the longest length (usually through the center) and width of the recess.<ref name="rf3">http://www.lowes.com/projects/other-activities/measure-a-room/project</ref> Do not measure further than the edge of the main area you already measured. Next, divide the length by two. Then, multiply this number by the width. Now, multiply the total by pi (3.14). Lastly, divide the area in half. |
#*Record the number in the recess area of your drawing. | #*Record the number in the recess area of your drawing. | ||
#*Now you have the area of the U-shaped protrusion in the room. | #*Now you have the area of the U-shaped protrusion in the room. | ||
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===Measuring Walls=== | ===Measuring Walls=== | ||
#Make a drawing of all walls you need to measure. Include doors and windows in your drawing as well. Leave enough room in the drawing to write down measurements. | #Make a drawing of all walls you need to measure. Include doors and windows in your drawing as well. Leave enough room in the drawing to write down measurements. | ||
| − | #Measure the width and height of the wall. To calculate the area of a wall, use the standard (Width) x (Height) = Area formula.<ref | + | #Measure the width and height of the wall. To calculate the area of a wall, use the standard (Width) x (Height) = Area formula.<ref name="rf2" /> Using a measuring tape, measure the width and height of the wall. Since walls can be tall, you might want to ask a friend or neighbor for help holding the measuring tape. Record the measurements on your drawing. |
#Multiply the length and width together. Using a calculator, multiply the length and width. This will equal the total square footage of the wall. Write this number down. | #Multiply the length and width together. Using a calculator, multiply the length and width. This will equal the total square footage of the wall. Write this number down. | ||
#Measure the length and width of any doors, fixtures, or windows. Record the length and width of any doors or windows on your drawing. | #Measure the length and width of any doors, fixtures, or windows. Record the length and width of any doors or windows on your drawing. | ||
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#Subtract the total from step six from the total wall square footage. Use a calculator for this step, too. This number equals the square footage of the wall, and you can use this square footage to buy paint or wallpaper. | #Subtract the total from step six from the total wall square footage. Use a calculator for this step, too. This number equals the square footage of the wall, and you can use this square footage to buy paint or wallpaper. | ||
===Measuring a Room’s Perimeter === | ===Measuring a Room’s Perimeter === | ||
| − | #Measure the length and the width of a square or rectangular room. Use the standard 2(Length + Width) = Perimeter formula to find the perimeter of a room.<ref | + | #Measure the length and the width of a square or rectangular room. Use the standard 2(Length + Width) = Perimeter formula to find the perimeter of a room.<ref name="rf3" /> Using a measuring tape, find the length and width of the room. |
#Add the length and the width, then multiply the answer by two. Use a calculator to make sure your addition and multiplication is accurate. Once you add the length and the width, multiply that total by two. This will calculate the perimeter of the room. | #Add the length and the width, then multiply the answer by two. Use a calculator to make sure your addition and multiplication is accurate. Once you add the length and the width, multiply that total by two. This will calculate the perimeter of the room. | ||
#Measure an irregularly shaped room manually. If the room you are measuring is not a square or rectangular, you will need to measure each individual side of the room’s perimeter. Work your way around the room’s perimeter with a measuring tape, recording the length of each side of the room. | #Measure an irregularly shaped room manually. If the room you are measuring is not a square or rectangular, you will need to measure each individual side of the room’s perimeter. Work your way around the room’s perimeter with a measuring tape, recording the length of each side of the room. | ||
#Add all the measurements together. Use a calculator to add up every measurement you took of the irregularly shaped room. The result of this calculation is the length of the perimeter of the room. | #Add all the measurements together. Use a calculator to add up every measurement you took of the irregularly shaped room. The result of this calculation is the length of the perimeter of the room. | ||
===Measuring Ceilings=== | ===Measuring Ceilings=== | ||
| − | #Calculate the floor area. This is described in method one. If the ceiling is flat, by calculating the floor area, you now have your ceiling area as well. For rectangular and square rooms with flat ceilings, the area of the floor is the same as the ceiling’s area.<ref>http://www.betterceilings.com/helpful-tools/how-to-measure</ref> If you have any extra parts of the ceiling that stick out or cave in, continue on to step two. | + | #Calculate the floor area. This is described in method one. If the ceiling is flat, by calculating the floor area, you now have your ceiling area as well. For rectangular and square rooms with flat ceilings, the area of the floor is the same as the ceiling’s area.<ref name="rf4">http://www.betterceilings.com/helpful-tools/how-to-measure</ref> If you have any extra parts of the ceiling that stick out or cave in, continue on to step two. |
| − | #Measure any additions to the ceiling area separately. This step only applies to ceilings that are not flat. Many ceilings also have alcoves and window bays that stick out; measure the width and depth of any alcoves or window bays.<ref>http://www.betterceilings.com/helpful-tools/how-to-measure/</ref> Record all measurements. | + | #Measure any additions to the ceiling area separately. This step only applies to ceilings that are not flat. Many ceilings also have alcoves and window bays that stick out; measure the width and depth of any alcoves or window bays.<ref name="rf5">http://www.betterceilings.com/helpful-tools/how-to-measure/</ref> Record all measurements. |
#*A ceiling that slopes or has recesses or variation of any kind will have a larger surface area than the floor, so keep that in mind when buying materials (i.e. buy a little extra). | #*A ceiling that slopes or has recesses or variation of any kind will have a larger surface area than the floor, so keep that in mind when buying materials (i.e. buy a little extra). | ||
#*Ceilings can be difficult to reach. If you are measuring a ceiling, ask a friend for assistance. | #*Ceilings can be difficult to reach. If you are measuring a ceiling, ask a friend for assistance. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
| − | *If measuring for wood, tile, or laminate flooring, figure out floor area as above, but be sure to order extra to account for the material you will have to throw away when making cuts. Industry standard is 10% waste.<ref>http://kronotexusa.com/installation/how-to-measure-for-laminate-flooring-in-three-easy-steps/</ref> | + | *If measuring for wood, tile, or laminate flooring, figure out floor area as above, but be sure to order extra to account for the material you will have to throw away when making cuts. Industry standard is 10% waste.<ref name="rf6">http://kronotexusa.com/installation/how-to-measure-for-laminate-flooring-in-three-easy-steps/</ref> |
*Use a calculator for every measurement. | *Use a calculator for every measurement. | ||
| − | *Having a friend’s help can make the process easier. One of you can record the measurements while the other one does the measuring.<ref | + | *Having a friend’s help can make the process easier. One of you can record the measurements while the other one does the measuring.<ref name="rf2" /> |
==Things You Will Need == | ==Things You Will Need == | ||
