Are you planning to install Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore SlatWall in your space? Before you place your Trusscore order, you need to finalize your design, properly size your project, and estimate how many panels and trim pieces you need to complete it.
In this 10-minute video, we walk you through the step-by-step process on how to estimate exactly how much Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore SlatWall you need for your project. When you’re done watching the video, we’ve also outlined the steps in the text below to help you on your way.
Only planning to install Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard? Watch this estimating video instead.
1) Finalize your design
Before you start estimating material for your project, you need to finalize the design of your space so you know exactly what to estimate. Think about the colors you want to use (Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore SlatWall are both available in white and gray), and the orientation of your panels.
Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard can be installed horizontally or vertically, but Trusscore SlatWall is always installed horizontally. However, you still have design flexibility with Trusscore SlatWall: The 8 foot long, interlocking panels can be installed as a track, section, half wall, or a full wall.
Whatever you choose, we’ll cover the tips to help with the estimating.
Still planning your design? Don’t skip ahead — download our Inspirational Design & Budgeting Guide to map out your project on a wall-by-wall basis.
2) Select a single wall and divide it into sections
To make estimating easier, calculate each wall and ceiling surface separately. Divide the wall area into sections of Trusscore SlatWall and Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard. Start with Trusscore SlatWall first and, if possible, begin and end your Trusscore SlatWall section on studs. Estimate Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard sections second, and measure sections based on stud locations for your Trusscore SlatWall section.
If you want to use different colors, such as white and gray, it’s best to calculate these areas as separate sections, too. Think of it like breaking down the wall into smaller shapes.
When breaking a wall down into sections, exclude any large openings that don’t need to be covered, like garage doors and man doors. These areas don’t need to be measured and should be excluded from your estimate. Divide the space around these large openings into sections and measure each one separately.
Include any openings that are less than six square feet in your material estimate. Simply measure the area as if the small opening isn’t there and cut the panels to fit around these openings.
3) Estimate how much Trusscore SlatWall you’ll need
In the video, we cover a couple designs that incorporate Trusscore SlatWall. Knowing how to estimate these designs will cover the basics needed to estimate virtually any Trusscore SlatWall configuration.
When installing Trusscore SlatWall right to the top of the wall, it's best to start by measuring down from the ceiling 7 ½" to ensure you have enough room to install your SlatWall Top Cap trim and a full Trusscore SlatWall panel at the top of the wall. A Trusscore SlatWall panel is 7 ¼" high from top to bottom when you include the pre-punched screw flange, and you’ll want to add ¼" at the top to leave room to install the SlatWall Top Cap.
Determine how many additional Trusscore SlatWall panels you’d like to install and multiply this number by 6" (the height of the exposed face of a Trusscore SlatWall panel). Add this measurement to your full top panel to get the total height of your Trusscore SlatWall installation.
EXAMPLE!
5 panels multiplied by 6” equals 30”.
30” plus 7.5” equals 37.5”.
If your design includes Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard below the Trusscore SlatWall, your next step is to subtract the total Trusscore SlatWall installation height from your total wall height to determine the height of your Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard installation.
EXAMPLE!
The wall is 108”.
Subtract 37 ½".
There is now 70 ½" left for your Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard section.
Add 1 ¼" to this measurement to account for the overlap needed to transition between Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore SlatWall. So, in this case, 70 ½" plus 1 ¼" inch equals 71 ¾".
For designs where you’ll be transitioning back to Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard above Trusscore SlatWall or when Trusscore SlatWall is installed within Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard (also known as picture-framed), H Channel Snap-In Kit is used to transition between panels. Calculate the length of the H Channel Snap-In Kit required on both sides and top of the Trusscore SlatWall installation.
PRO TIP!
Trim isn’t required on the bottom of Trusscore SlatWall sections when transitioning to Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, as the products are designed to integrate seamlessly. However, the top and sides of a Trusscore SlatWall installation will always require trim.
Where H Channel Snap-In Kit is required, subtract ¼” from both the Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore SlatWall panel lengths or widths required to accommodate for panel expansion and contraction.
4) Determine the length of panels you need
Now, using the measurement that is parallel to the direction you’ll be installing your panels, determine the length of the panel required.
Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard comes in 8’, 10’, 12’, 14’, 16’, and 20’ lengths, while Trusscore SlatWall is only available in 8’ lengths.
PRO TIP!
Always round up to the next board length. For example, if your wall is 9’ feet high, order 10’ panels.
If your measurement is longer than the maximum panel length available (from Trusscore or at your retailer), you’ll need to use an H Channel Snap-in Trim to transition between panel lengths.
If you require two panels to cover the length of your surface, this equates to two sections. For example, a 24’ length would require two 12’ Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels separated by H Channel Snap-In Kit.
When considering Trusscore SlatWall, you could separate a 24’ section into three sections, which would require three 8’ Trusscore SlatWall panels cut to size and separated by two H Channel Snap-In Kit trim pieces.
Remember to also start and end your Trusscore SlatWall sections on studs if possible and cut the Trusscore SlatWall panels to accommodate for this.
5) Calculate the total number of panels you need to order
Add up the number of panels needed per section to calculate the total number of panels required to cover the entire room. It's best to group totals by type, panel length, and then color to get your final total number of panels.
For example, add up all the section totals of Trusscore SlatWall in white and gray. Next, add up all the 8’ Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard white panels. Then, add up all the 8’ Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard gray panels you need eight-foot gray panels. Repeat the process for every wall in the room to get the final total number of each panel type, length, and color you need to order.
6) Estimate how much trim you need
Now that you know the number of panels required for your project, the last step is to determine which trim you want to use on each side, top, and bottom (also known as the perimeter) of the area you are covering.
In the video, we opt to use J Trim for the perimeter of all walls, as well as window and door openings. We recommend using ½” J Trim for Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and ¾” J Trim for Trusscore SlatWall, as the larger trim will accommodate the thicker panel profile. Additionally, a SlatWall Top Cap trim piece can be used to finish the top of a Trusscore SlatWall assembly. For more information on our trim options, visit trusscore.com/trims.
Measure the perimeter of each wall in the room to calculate the length of trim required. Include any openings such as doors or windows that require trim around their perimeter in your calculation. Also, don't forget to include any H Channel Snap-In Kit used to transition panel lengths.
Following these steps will help ensure you have enough material to finish your project, regardless of the size, with minimal waste.
If you need some extra step-by-step guidance to complete your material takeoff, download this helpful worksheet.
Ready to place your order? Find a Trusscore retailer near you today.
