Before you place your Trusscore order, you’ll need to properly size your project and estimate how many panels and trim pieces you’ll need to complete it. In this six-minute video, we walk you through the step-by-step process for estimating how much Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard is needed in any space.
Whether you’re a DIYer looking to renovate a small garage or a contractor working on a large-scale commercial project, the method is the same. When you’re done watching the video, we’ve also outlined the steps in the text below to help you on your way.
Planning to install Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore SlatWall? Watch this estimating video instead.
1) Select a single wall or ceiling within your room
To make estimating easier, calculate each wall and ceiling surface separately. You’ll then want to divide the wall area into smaller sections. For example, if you’re installing white and gray Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, calculate where each color will go as a separate section — think of it as breaking down each wall into smaller shapes.
During this step, it’s important to determine the orientation of your Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels. On walls, panels can be installed vertically or horizontally. On ceilings, we recommend installing the panels perpendicular to the joists.
When measuring each wall and ceiling surface, exclude any large openings that won’t need to be covered, including garage doors and man doors. Divide the wall or ceiling around these large openings into smaller sections and measure each section separately. If your wall or ceiling has smaller openings that are less than six square feet, include them in your material estimate — simply measure the area as if the small opening isn’t there. During installation, you can cut the panels to fit around the opening.
2) Determine the number of panels you’ll need per section
To determine the number of panels you need for each section, take the measurement that’s perpendicular to the direction you’re installing your panels and divide it by the width of the panel — Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels are 16 inches wide. If you’re installing vertically, the perpendicular measurement is calculated when you measure the wall from one side of the section to the other. If you’re installing horizontally, the perpendicular measurement is calculated when you measure the section from top to bottom.
Pro tip! When taking the perpendicular measurement, convert it to inches to make the division easier. For example, if your perpendicular measurement is 20 feet, multiply this measurement by 12 to convert it to inches. 20 feet becomes 240 inches, which can then be easily divided by 16 inches (the width of a Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panel) to determine how many panels you’ll need. In this example, that’s 15 panels in total.
3) Determine the length of panels you’ll need
Next, take the measurement that’s parallel to the direction you’re installing your panels to determine the length of panels required.
Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard comes in 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, and 20-foot lengths. If your measurement is longer than the maximum length available from Trusscore or your retailer, you’ll need to use an H Channel Snap-in Trim to transition between panel lengths (more on that later).
Pro tip! Always round up to the next board length. For example, if your wall height is 9 feet, use a 10-foot panel. If you need two panels to cover the length of your surface, this works out to two sections. For example, a 24-foot length section would require two 12-foot panels to be connected by an H Channel Snap-in Trim. Alternatively, you could separate the area into three sections, which would require three 8-foot panels separated by two H Channel Snap-in Trim pieces.
4) Determine the total number of panels
Add the number of panels required for each section together to calculate the total number of panels you’ll need to cover the entire room. It's best to group totals by panel length and color. For example, add up all the section totals of 8-foot white panels, then 8-foot gray panels, and so on for every wall in the room to get your final total number of each panel length and color.
5) Estimate how much Trusscore trim you’ll need
Now that you know the number of Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels required for your project, the last step is to determine which trim you want to use on each side, top, and bottom of the area you are covering.
If you’re watching the video, you’ll notice we’ve chosen to use J-Trim for the perimeter of all walls and window and door openings. J Trim can be used for the top and bottom of walls, around windows and doors, and inside corners.
Measure the perimeter of each wall in the room to calculate the length of trim required. You should include any openings, such as doors or windows, in your calculation that will require trim around its perimeter. Also, don't forget to include any H Channel Snap-in Trim 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.
