Calculate with Confidence: How Much Wallpaper Do I Need?
Need to know “how much wallpaper do I need” for your walls? This article breaks down the calculation process, helping you figure out the exact amount of wallpaper needed for any room. We’ll guide you through measuring wall dimensions, understanding pattern repeats, and giving tips on extra allowances to ensure you buy just the right amount, avoiding costly overestimation or underestimation. Dive into our straightforward tips and say goodbye to guesswork.
Key Takeaways
- Accurate wall measurements, pattern repeats, and an allowance for extra wallpaper are essential to determine the number of rolls needed.
- Understand wallpaper roll specifications such as roll size and pattern repeats, which are crucial in calculating the required quantity of wallpaper.
- JC Licht highly recommends working with a professional to install traditional wallpaper.
Calculating Your Wallpaper Needs
Imagine standing in a wallpaper store, mesmerized by a pattern that perfectly complements your room’s decor. But how many rolls do you need? The answer lies in three essential steps: measuring your wall dimensions, accounting for pattern-matching repeats, and adding extra for adjustments.
Although it’s not rocket science, it does demand precision. Accurate measurements of your walls, a good understanding of your chosen wallpaper pattern, and accounting for unexpected hiccups will enable you to confidently ascertain the required number of wallpaper rolls for your project.
Measuring Wall Dimensions
Firstly, focus on your wall dimensions. Measuring the length and height of each wall to find out the total surface area is indeed essential. It’s not just a simple case of height times width, though. Things get a little trickier when you factor in doors and windows, not to mention a sloped wall.
Using a reliable tool like a steel tape measure, start by measuring from the ceiling down to the floor and across each wall to obtain the height and width measurements. Next, multiply the combined width by the height of the walls to calculate the total square footage needed for coverage, excluding the areas occupied by doors and windows. If your room has a sloped wall, measure the highest and lowest points, then calculate the average height.
Accounting for Pattern Repeats
You’ve taken the measurements of your walls, yet another important factor to consider is the pattern repeat. The pattern repeat in wallpaper design refers to the vertical distance the design covers before repeating itself. It’s like a beautiful dance where the design moves seamlessly across your wall, creating an impressive visual effect.
Why is this important? Because it directly impacts the quantity of wallpaper necessary to accurately cover a wall, ensuring proper alignment of patterns and minimizing waste. When choosing wallpaper, you’ll find the pattern repeat information on the packaging label. Be sure to account for this in your calculations to ensure a seamless alignment of your chosen design across your walls.
Adding Extra for Adjustments
Now, let’s talk about the “just in case” factor. It’s always good to have a bit of wiggle room when it comes to wallpapering, especially if you’re a first-timer. This extra removable wallpaper will come in handy for potential adjustments like trimming and matching patterns at corners and around doors or windows.
So how much extra should you factor in? A typical suggestion is to incorporate an extra 10-20% to your overall wallpaper requirements. This additional percentage ensures you have sufficient coverage for a polished outcome, and it also acts as a safety net for any unexpected errors or challenges that may occur during the installation process.
Wallpaper Roll Specifications
With your measurements in order, it’s time to delve deeper into the specifics of wallpaper rolls. What are they exactly? A wallpaper roll is simply a roll of wallpaper with a specific length and width. But there’s more information on that packaging label than meets the eye.
Standard single wallpaper rolls typically come in widths of 20.5 or 27 inches and lengths of 13.5 or 16.5 feet. But don’t be deceived by the quantity marked on a wallpaper roll. A quantity of one generally signifies one set, comprising of two double rolls. This is key to understanding how much wallpaper coverage each package provides.
Understanding Roll Length and Width
Understanding the dimensions of the wallpaper roll is key when determining the required number of rolls. The width and length of the roll determine the wall covering area and the number of strips that can be cut from a roll.
A single roll is typically 21 in. x 16.5 ft. long, while a double roll is typically 21 in. x 33 ft. long. Remember, a double roll is twice as long as a single roll, and its wall covering area ranges from 57 to 61 square feet.
So, by knowing the dimensions of the roll, you can calculate how many rolls you’ll need for your project by dividing the total square footage of your walls by the coverage area provided by a single roll.
Decoding Wallpaper Packaging Labels
The wallpaper packaging label, akin to a secret code, provides significant information that can aid in your wallpaper calculation process. It indicates the roll size, which is the number of square feet per roll, and the pattern repeat, which tells you the vertical distance the design goes down a strip of wallpaper before repeating.
But that’s not all! The packaging label also includes additional important information like the washability rating and technical specifications about the wallpaper’s characteristics. Knowledge is power, and understanding these details will help you make an informed purchase.
Utilizing Online Wallpaper Calculators
In our digital age, there’s a more streamlined approach to wallpaper calculation - online wallpaper calculators. These beneficial tools enable you to feed in your room measurements and provide an estimate of the needed wallpaper rolls, thereby saving time and minimizing potential errors.
Whether you’re a seasoned DIYer or a wallpapering newbie, an online wallpaper calculator can simplify the process and ensure accurate calculations. Let’s dive into how to use these calculators and the benefits they offer.
How to Use a Wallpaper Calculator
Using a wallpaper calculator is as easy as 1-2-3. You start by inputting your wall dimensions - the height and width measurements you’ve taken earlier. Most calculators also require the number of doors and windows in the room, so be sure to have these figures handy.
Next, input the following information into the calculator:
- The dimensions of the walls you want to wallpaper (height and width)
- The height of the room
- The wallpaper pattern repeats (the vertical distance the design covers before it repeats itself)
The calculator will then estimate the required wallpaper rolls, factoring in trimming and additional allowance. Voila! You now have a ballpark figure of how much wallpaper you’ll need.
Benefits of Using a Calculator
Why opt for a wallpaper calculator? Firstly, it’s a time-saver. It eliminates the need for manual calculations and guesswork on the number of rolls required, doing all the heavy lifting for you.
Moreover, these calculators offer:
- reasonably accurate estimates, reducing the chances of errors
- accounting for pattern repeats and adjustments, giving you a comprehensive calculation
- helping reduce wallpaper wastage by offering precise measurements, allowing you to order just the right amount of wallpaper.
Final Checks: Double-Checking Your Numbers
Before you make a beeline to purchase your wallpaper, it’s important to do a final review. Rechecking your measurements and calculations can prevent you from exhausting your wallpaper supply mid-project or ending up with mismatched patterns.
This is not about doubting your calculations but being thorough and ensuring that every detail has been considered. So, let’s review:
- The height measurements
- The total square footage
- The roll number
- The pattern alignment
Reviewing Height Measurement and Total Square Footage
Start by reviewing your height measurements. Did you measure from floor to ceiling, including baseboards or crown molding? If not, it’s time to re-measure.
Next, review the total square footage. Remember, to calculate this, you multiply the width and height of each wall in square cm. Ensure your calculations are accurate and that you’ve accounted for all walls.
Confirming Roll Number and Pattern Alignment
Now, confirm the number of rolls needed. If you’ve used a wallpaper calculator, this should be straightforward. If not, revisit your calculations to make sure you’ve divided the total square footage of your walls by the coverage area provided by a single roll.
Lastly, check the pattern alignment. Make sure the patterns on each strip of wallpaper align seamlessly. This will ensure a professional look and feel to your room.
Summary
We’ve journeyed through the intricate process of wallpaper calculation, from measuring wall dimensions to understanding pattern repeats, and from using online wallpaper calculators to preparing for installation.
While the process may seem complex, it’s a necessary step to ensure a successful wallpaper project.We recommend getting in touch with a professional to install your wallpaper when using traditional wallpaper that is pasted on the wall.
Visit JC Licht for Your Wallpaper Needs
At JC Licht, we understand the importance of getting this right, and our team is here to assist you every step of the way. Our extensive selection of wallpapers caters to a variety of styles and preferences, making it easy for you to find the perfect fit for your home or office.
Don't let uncertainties about wallpaper quantities dampen your enthusiasm for transforming your space. Visit our JC Licht locations, where our knowledgeable staff is ready to provide expert advice and guidance.
