The calculation of the area of the walls allows you to accurately determine the amount of the necessary material for the decoration. And errors in measurements and calculations can lead to extra costs. For example, you may not have enough plaster, and you will have to buy another bag. Or, conversely, there will be an extra roll of expensive wallpaper.
With the right tools and knowledge, you can measure the area of the walls yourself. In this article we will tell you how to calculate the area of the room, and give useful tips that will help to simplify the process.
Content:
- Tools for measuring and conducting calculations
- How to measure the area of the walls in a square or rectangular room
- How to measure walls with openings and windows
- How to measure the area of walls in rooms complex in shape
- Frequent errors when calculating the area of the walls in the apartment
- In conclusion: useful tips and recommendations for measuring the area of the walls
Tools for measuring and conducting calculations
For accurate measurements, you will need a tape measure. A regular roulette of 5 meters long is suitable for most types of rooms.
For large rooms, you can use a laser range finder. This is a more expensive and accurate tool. But at the same time, he still has a small error: ± 1.5-3 mm. In addition, the farmer has a small drawback: it will not work to measure the distance through transparent objects.
To record sizes, you can use a phone or take a notebook and pen. You will also need a calculator. It is necessary to calculate the area of walls with openings or measure rooms of complex shape.
How to measure the area of the walls in a square or rectangular room
To calculate simple walls, use the formula of the area of the rectangle:
S = x × y,
Where X is the length of the wall, and y is the height.
For example, for a wall with a length of 5 m and a height of 3 m, the calculation will be as follows:
S = 5 × 3 = 15 m2
Always use the same units of measurement. If you need an area in square meters, measure the length and height in meters.
Photo: In some rooms, the walls are asymmetric. Measure on all walls to avoid errors in the calculations
How to measure walls with openings and windows
If there is a window or door in the wall, it is necessary to subtract their area from the total area of the wall. Let’s look at the calculation by example.
For example, you have a room with a length of 6 m and a width of 4 m, and the height of the ceilings is 2.5 m. There is a doorway – 0.9 × 2.1 m and the window opening – 1.5 × 1.2 m.
First we calculate the area of all walls:
S = 2 × (6 × 2.5) + 2 × (4 × 2.5) = 30 + 20 = 50 m2
Now we calculate the area of the openings:
Door area = 0.9 × 2.1 = 1.89 m2
Window area = 1.5 × 1.2 = 1.8 m2
Total area of openings = 1.89 + 1.8 = 3.69 m2
And then we subtract the area of the openings from the area of the walls:
Pure wall area = 50 – 3.69 = 46.31 m2
It turns out that the area of all walls, taking into account the openings of 46.31 m2
Calculator of walls
Photo: skirting boards can affect the calculation of the area of the walls, especially if they are massive. Make sure you take them into account when measuring
How to measure the area of walls in rooms complex in shape
For rooms in a complex shape, first make markings, dividing them into simple figures (squares, rectangles, triangles). Then measure each part and summarize the results.
Imagine a room with a length of 6 m, a width of 4 m and the height of the ceilings 2.5 m. The room has a niche and a ledge that must be taken into account in the calculations.
First, draw a room plan and designate all the protrusions and niches. Divide the room into simple geometric shapes:
The main part of the room is a rectangle, a niche is another small rectangle, a protrusion is the smallest rectangle.
Then measure the length, width and height of the main part of the room. Its length is 6 m, width 4 m and height 2.5 m. We calculate the area of the walls of the main part of the room:
Two long walls: 2 × (6 × 2.5) = 2 × 15 = 30 m2
Two short walls: 2 × (4 × 2.5) = 2 × 10 = 20 m2
The total area of the walls of the main part of the room: 30 + 20 = 50 m2
Then measure the size of the niche. Its width: 1 m, depth: 0.5 m, height: 2.5 m. We calculate the area of the walls of the niche:
Two side walls: 2 × (0.5 × 2.5) = 2 × 1.25 = 2.5 m2
Rear wall: 1 × 2.5 = 2.5 m2
The total area of the walls of the niche: 2.5 + 2.5 = 5 m2
Now we measure the protrusion: its width: 0.7 m, depth: 0.3 m, height: 2.5 m. Now you can calculate the area of the walls of the protrusion:
Two side walls: 2 × (0.3 × 2.5) = 2 × 0.75 = 1.5 m2
Front wall: 0.7 × 2.5 = 1.75 m2
The total area of the walls of the ledge: 1.5 + 1.75 = 3.25 m2
Now let's add the walls of the main part of the room, niches and ledges:
50 + 5 + 3.25 = 58 m2
Thus, the total area of the walls of the room room is 58.25 square meters.
For oval or round walls, measure their length (perimeter) with a roulette, pressing it to the surface. Then multiply the resulting figure by the height of the wall. For example, if the perimeter of the walls in the room is 12 m, and the height is 2.5 m, then the area of the walls we count:
Wall area = 12 × 2.5 = 30 m2
If there are protrusions or niches in the room, add their area. For example, your room has a rectangular protrusion 2.8 m high and 0.3 m deep. The calculation will be as follows:
The area of protrusion = 2 × (0.3 × 2.8) = 1.68 m2
Total wall area = 46.31 + 1.68 = 47.99 m2
Photo: corners and niches are especially difficult to measure. For more accurate results, you need to use a flexible roulette or laser rangefinder
Frequent errors when calculating the area of the walls in the apartment
Many make errors in the process of measurements and calculations. Consider the most common flaws and ways to avoid them.
Oddly enough, some use roulette incorrectly. To avoid this error, make sure that it adjacent to the surface of the wall. Take measurements several times and use the average value.
Another mistake is not to take into account windows, doors and other openings in the walls. Carefully measure all the openings and subtract their area from the total area of the wall. If the openings of a complex shape, break them into simple geometric shapes for a more accurate calculation.
Ignoring protrusions, niches, columns and other architectural elements also leads to incorrect calculation. Divide the room into simple geometric shapes and calculate the area of each of them separately. Do not forget to add the area of protrusions and niches to the total area of the walls.
The use of various units of measurement (meters, centimeters) in one calculation complicates the process. Always use the same units for all data.
If you do not take into account the different height of the ceilings in different parts of the room, the calculations will be incorrect. Measure the height of the ceilings in several places and use the average value. Consider all changes in height when calculating the area of the walls.
Measurement of inclined surfaces, as direct, also leads to errors in the calculations. To avoid this, use the building level and other tools for accurate measurement of tilts.
Photo: Pay attention, measurements in old houses can be more difficult due to uneven walls and ceilings. Make sure you take into account everything and use the level for accuracy
In conclusion: useful tips and recommendations for measuring the area of the walls
Careful measurements are an important stage of any repair. Therefore, always check your measurements twice. This will help to avoid mistakes that can lead to extra costs for materials. Make measurements in good light and at a convenient time to avoid errors.
If you have a premises plan, use it to check your calculations. This is especially useful for rooms with a non -standard shape.
When measuring large rooms, break them into smaller areas and measure each separately. This will increase the accuracy of calculations. Do not forget to take into account all the details: protrusions, niches, cornices and moldings. Their area also affects the total amount of the necessary material.
If it is difficult for you to calculate yourself, try to find a mobile application or online calculator to calculate the area of the walls.
