What You'll Need:
- Pencil
- Paper
- Tape measure
- Masking tape
- Calculator
Step 1 - Draw the Room
On piece of paper draw out the shape of the room including any diagonal walls and alcoves. The drawing does not have to be scaled.
Step 2 - Section Your Drawing
Your room likely has a few alcoves. Draw a line from the corner of each alcove to the other side of the room. This should create a rectangular shape. If there is a diagonal wall, draw a line from the smaller corner straight down to the other side of the room. This will give you a triangular section.
Your room likely has a few alcoves. Draw a line from the corner of each alcove to the other side of the room. This should create a rectangular shape. If there is a diagonal wall, draw a line from the smaller corner straight down to the other side of the room. This will give you a triangular section.
Step 3 - Section the Room
Using your drawing as a guideline, section off the room. Apply tape to the floor to section off the alcoves creating smaller rectangles.
Using your drawing as a guideline, section off the room. Apply tape to the floor to section off the alcoves creating smaller rectangles.
Step 4 - Measure the Sections
Use your tape measure to measure the sections you have marked with tape. If you already have the chipboard you intend to purchase decided, use the unit of measure the chipboard is sold in. For these instructions we will use inches as the unit of measure.
Measure one section at a time. Measure the length then the width of the section and write down the measurement along the corresponding line on your drawing. If the walls are straight there is no need to measure both widths and lengths of the sections, you can just measure one of each. Do this for each section. Measure each section twice to ensure accuracy.
If you marked a diagonal wall, measure the width of the triangle you marked and the length of the straight line section. Do not measure the length of the actual wall.
Use your tape measure to measure the sections you have marked with tape. If you already have the chipboard you intend to purchase decided, use the unit of measure the chipboard is sold in. For these instructions we will use inches as the unit of measure.
Measure one section at a time. Measure the length then the width of the section and write down the measurement along the corresponding line on your drawing. If the walls are straight there is no need to measure both widths and lengths of the sections, you can just measure one of each. Do this for each section. Measure each section twice to ensure accuracy.
If you marked a diagonal wall, measure the width of the triangle you marked and the length of the straight line section. Do not measure the length of the actual wall.
Step 5 - Calculate Area
Now you must calculate the area for each section. The area is calculated by doing length multiplied by width. This will give you the number of square inches needed. Write the number of square inches in the middle of each section on your paper.
For the diagonal wall, multiply the width of the triangle by the length of the straight line section. Do not use the length of the diagonal wall. Divide that total by 2 then write the answer in the triangle on your sheet. This is the square inches of the triangular area.
Now you must calculate the area for each section. The area is calculated by doing length multiplied by width. This will give you the number of square inches needed. Write the number of square inches in the middle of each section on your paper.
For the diagonal wall, multiply the width of the triangle by the length of the straight line section. Do not use the length of the diagonal wall. Divide that total by 2 then write the answer in the triangle on your sheet. This is the square inches of the triangular area.
Step 6 - Total the Area
Add up all the areas on your sheet. This will give you the total square inches of the room.
Add up all the areas on your sheet. This will give you the total square inches of the room.
Step 7 - Convert if Necessary
If the chipboard you plan to buy is measured in inches, you don't have any conversions to do. If you did not use the same unit of measure that the chipboard is sold in, you will need to do conversions from square inches to that unit.
If the chipboard you plan to buy is measured in inches, you don't have any conversions to do. If you did not use the same unit of measure that the chipboard is sold in, you will need to do conversions from square inches to that unit.
Step 8 - Calculate the Area of Chipboard
To find the area of each piece of chipboard, multiply the sheet length by sheet width.
To find the area of each piece of chipboard, multiply the sheet length by sheet width.
Step 9 - Find the Number of Boards
Now you are ready to find out how many pieces of chipboard you need. Divide the room's total square inches by the square inches of each board. The answer is the number of boards you need to cover the room. If you get a decimal answer, always round up.
When purchasing your chipboard buy a few extra sheets. When you lay the boards out on the floor you will likely find some pieces are too small, others are too big, and there will be some cutting.
Now you are ready to find out how many pieces of chipboard you need. Divide the room's total square inches by the square inches of each board. The answer is the number of boards you need to cover the room. If you get a decimal answer, always round up.
When purchasing your chipboard buy a few extra sheets. When you lay the boards out on the floor you will likely find some pieces are too small, others are too big, and there will be some cutting.
Source: www.DoItYourself.com
