To measure baseboard linear feet, you need to determine the total length of all wall sections where baseboard will be installed in a room.
The most accurate way to measure baseboard linear feet is to use a tape measure and go wall by wall, section by section.
Step-by-Step Measurement
Here's a breakdown of how to measure accurately:
- Clear the Area: Ensure the base of your walls is accessible.
- Measure Each Wall Section: Starting at a corner, stretch your tape measure along the wall section where baseboard will go. Measure the length in inches.
- Record Measurements: Write down the measurement for each distinct wall section. It's helpful to sketch a simple diagram of the room and label each wall section with its measurement.
- Account for Openings:
- Doorways: Do not measure across doorways. Baseboard typically does not run through the opening itself.
- Built-in Cabinets/Appliances: Do not measure behind areas that will be covered by permanent fixtures like kitchen cabinets, built-in bookshelves, or appliances that sit flush against the wall.
- Measure Around Obstacles (If Necessary): If baseboard needs to go around a small jog or column, measure the length required for each side of the obstacle.
- Sum Your Measurements: Add up all the individual wall section measurements you recorded in inches. This gives you the total length in inches.
- Convert Inches to Linear Feet: Divide the total number of inches by 12 (since there are 12 inches in a foot) to get the total linear feet required.
Calculation Example:
| Wall Section | Length (Inches) |
|---|---|
| Wall 1 | 144 |
| Wall 2 | 120 |
| Wall 3 | 132 |
| Wall 4 | 60 |
| Total | 456 |
- Total Inches: 456 inches
- Conversion: 456 inches / 12 inches/foot = 38 linear feet
Using the Perimeter Method (For Rectangular Rooms)
For simple rectangular rooms, you can use a method similar to the one described in the "Calculating Linear Feet" reference:
Stretch your tape measure tightly from one end of a wall to the other in a straight line. Then, write down the length of the wall in inches and multiply it by two. Do the same for the width. After calculating this, add them together for linear feet as outlined above.
Based on this reference, you can measure the length and width of a rectangular room:
- Measure the length of one wall in inches.
- Measure the width of an adjacent wall in inches.
- Calculate the perimeter in inches: (2 * Length) + (2 * Width).
- Convert to Linear Feet: Divide the total perimeter in inches by 12.
Example using Perimeter Method:
- Room Length: 15 feet (which is 15 * 12 = 180 inches)
- Room Width: 10 feet (which is 10 * 12 = 120 inches)
- Perimeter in Inches: (2 * 180 inches) + (2 * 120 inches) = 360 + 240 = 600 inches
- Linear Feet: 600 inches / 12 inches/foot = 50 linear feet
Important Note: The perimeter method calculates the length around the entire room. You will need to subtract the width of any doorways or permanent openings where baseboard will not be installed to get a more accurate total for baseboard linear feet. For instance, if the room above had one 36-inch wide doorway, you would subtract 36 inches (3 linear feet) from the total: 50 - 3 = 47 linear feet.
Tips for Ordering
- It's highly recommended to add 10-15% to your total linear footage measurement to account for cuts, waste, and potential errors, especially if the room has many corners or angles.
- Baseboards are typically sold in standard lengths (e.g., 8 ft, 12 ft, 16 ft). Plan how you will use the lengths to minimize waste.
By accurately measuring each wall section or using the perimeter method for rectangular rooms and accounting for openings, you can determine the correct amount of baseboard linear feet needed for your project.
