How to Estimate and Order Commercial Wallcovering by the Yard
Divide the wall width by the usable width and round up to get drops, multiply by the cut length of each drop including trim and any pattern repeat, convert to yards and add waste. A 40 ft by 9 ft wall with a 51 in usable width needs 10 drops of about 112 in, roughly 31 yd before waste and 35 yd with 10%. Under a 15 yd minimum sold in 15 yd increments, that becomes a 45 yd order.
Terms you need
- Roll width and usable width. Commercial goods are trimmed at installation. The Arid PVC-Free Type II fact sheet lists a roll width of 52-54 in and a nominal pattern width of 51 in. Estimate with the nominal (usable) width.
- Drop. One full-height strip.
- Cut length. Wall height plus trim at top and bottom, rounded up to whole pattern repeats when the pattern must match.
- Match. Wolf-Gordon defines random match (no match point), straight match (elements align on successive strips), half drop match ("It takes three strips to repeat the vertical design") and multiple drop match.
Step by step
- Measure each wall width and the height.
- Drops = wall width divided by usable width, rounded up.
- Cut length = height plus trim, rounded up to a multiple of the vertical repeat for matched patterns.
- Linear inches = drops times cut length. Divide by 36 for yards.
- Add waste, then round to the seller's order rules.
Worked example
| Step | Value |
|---|---|
| Wall | 40 ft wide by 9 ft high |
| Usable width | 51 in |
| Drops | 480 in / 51 in = 9.4, round up to 10 |
| Cut length | 108 in height + 4 in trim = 112 in (random match) |
| Total length | 10 x 112 in = 1,120 in = 31.1 yd |
| Plus 10% waste | 34.2 yd, round up to 35 yd |
| Order under a 15 yd minimum sold in 15 yd increments | 45 yd |
Koroseal's online yardage calculator uses a different allowance: it is "based on a roll width of 54 inches" and its linear yardage "includes 15% more material for waste due to pattern matching." With 15%, the example gives 35.8 yd, which still rounds to a 45 yd order.
When the pattern has a repeat
For a straight match with a 23 in vertical repeat (the repeat listed for Koroseal Alara), round 112 in up to five repeats, 115 in. Ten drops of 115 in is 1,150 in, or 31.9 yd; with 10% waste that is 35.1 yd, rounded to 36 yd and still a 45 yd order. Koroseal notes that "a large repeat may require additional material." Half drop and multiple drop patterns can need more; ask for a take-off.
Openings, corners and waste
Koroseal's calculator results "do not take into account doors, windows, or other obstructions." Its hanging instructions say "only full widths of material should be used," that piecing or hanging headers "with strips cut out of sequence can cause shading at the seams," and that vertical joints should not fall less than 6 in from inside and outside corners. Short pieces over doors and windows still come from full drops in sequence, so openings narrower than a drop rarely reduce the order.
Shade lots and roll numbers
Koroseal instructs installers to "separate goods by shade lot number" and to "install in roll number starting from highest number to lowest." For reversible patterns, "every other strip of the wallcovering should be reversed in order to ensure color uniformity." Its 09 72 00 specification asks for an inspection after three strips. The roll label lists the item number, yards, shade lot (work order) and roll number. Order each continuous area at one time, and keep the shade lot from the label if you may need to add material later.
Our ordering terms
| Item | Terms |
|---|---|
| Unit | Sold by the yard |
| Minimum and increments | 15 yd minimum, in 15 yd increments |
| Cut fee | $3.50 per yard on orders under 30 yd |
| Samples | $6.20 each |
| Quotes and take-offs | Available on request from drawings or measurements |
| Installation | Houston and selected Texas markets |
Koroseal's specification asks the contractor to "submit a sample of each type and color to be installed for the architect's approval." Order samples before you finalize yardage, then browse commercial wallcovering materials or return to Commercial Wallcoverings. For product types and fire data see the Type I, II and III guide and the fire ratings guide.
Questions
- How much waste should I add?
- Allowances vary. Our worked example uses 10%. Koroseal's online calculator adds 15% for pattern matching and notes that a large repeat may require more. Check the repeat and match on the fact sheet.
- Should I subtract doors and windows?
- Usually not for narrow openings. Koroseal's instructions call for full widths hung in sequence, so pieces above and below openings still come from full drops.
- Why order everything at once?
- Koroseal tells installers to separate goods by shade lot and hang rolls in roll number order. Ordering a continuous area together helps keep it in one shade lot.
- Is there a cut fee?
- Yes. We charge $3.50 per yard on orders under 30 yards. Orders are 15 yards minimum in 15 yard increments.