Top Online Wallpaper Calculator Tools: Get Your Measurements Right!
Hanging wallpaper can transform a room, but nothing ruins the effect (and wastes money!) like running out of paper mid-project or ordering way too much. Accurate calculations are crucial. Thankfully, numerous online wallpaper calculators can take the guesswork out of the equation, saving you time, money, and frustration. This article will detail the top online wallpaper calculator tools available, highlighting their features, strengths, and any limitations.
Why Use an Online Wallpaper Calculator?
Before diving into the specific tools, let’s quickly cover why these are so valuable:
- Accuracy: Manual calculations are prone to error, especially when accounting for pattern repeats, windows, doors, and other architectural features.
- Efficiency: These tools automate the process, saving you considerable time and mental energy.
- Cost Savings: By calculating the precise amount needed (with a little extra for waste), you avoid over-ordering or under-ordering, minimizing unnecessary expenses.
- Ease of Use: Most tools are incredibly user-friendly, requiring only basic measurements and minimal technical knowledge.
- Pattern Matching Consideration: the tools help in accurate cutting and application, so the pattern match is correct.
Top Online Wallpaper Calculator Tools:
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best and most popular online wallpaper calculators:
1. Brewers Wallpaper Calculator (www.brewers.co.uk):
- Description: Brewers, a UK-based decorating supplier, offers a comprehensive and easy-to-use calculator. It’s incredibly detailed, allowing for a high level of accuracy.
- Features:
- Multiple Units: Supports both metric (meters) and imperial (feet and inches) units.
- Wall Dimensions: Input the height and width of each wall.
- Door/Window Input: Specify the number and dimensions of doors and windows on each wall.
- Pattern Repeat: Enter the pattern repeat measurement (found on the wallpaper label).
- Roll Size: Enter the width and length of a standard roll of your chosen wallpaper.
- Detailed Results: Provides the number of rolls required, accounting for waste and pattern matching.
- Option for plain wallpaper: If the wallpaper does not have a pattern, you can select plain as an option.
- Clear Instructions: Includes helpful guidance and explanations throughout the process.
- Strengths: Highly accurate, very detailed, handles complex room shapes and multiple walls, and accommodates pattern repeats effectively. User-friendly interface.
- Limitations: Primarily geared towards UK users (although measurements can be converted).
2. Graham & Brown Wallpaper Calculator (www.grahambrown.com):
- Description: Another UK-based decorating company, Graham & Brown, provides a similarly robust calculator.
- Features:
- Metric and Imperial Units: Supports both.
- Wall Dimensions: Input height and width.
- Obstacles: Input the number and dimensions of doors, windows, and other obstacles.
- Pattern Repeat: Enter the vertical pattern repeat.
- Roll Size: Allows input of roll width and length.
- Waste Allowance: Automatically adds a 10% waste allowance (which is generally recommended).
- Visual Aid: Features a helpful visual representation of a wall with doors and windows.
- Strengths: Accurate, user-friendly, and visually appealing. The automatic waste allowance is a convenient feature.
- Limitations: Similar to Brewers, primarily UK-focused, but adaptable.
3. Wallpaperdirect Wallpaper Calculator (www.wallpaperdirect.com):
- Description: Wallpaperdirect is a large online retailer of wallpaper and offers a practical calculator.
- Features:
- Unit Options: Supports both metric and imperial units.
- Wall Measurements: Input height and total wall width (you add up the widths of all walls to be papered).
- Pattern Repeat: Enter the vertical pattern repeat.
- Roll Size: Automatically populates with standard UK roll sizes (10.05m x 0.53m) but allows for custom input.
- Door/Window Calculation: Less detailed than Brewers or Graham & Brown. It asks for the total area of doors and windows, rather than individual dimensions. This is quicker but can be slightly less precise.
- Strengths: Simple and fast to use. Good for straightforward room shapes.
- Limitations: The less detailed door/window calculation can reduce accuracy for rooms with many or unusually shaped openings.
4. Inch Calculator – Wallpaper Calculator (www.inchcalculator.com):
- Description: A calculator that is designed for a US audience.
- Features:
- Allows the entry of wall dimensions in both metric and imperial.
- Factors in a pattern repeat, and roll size.
- Allows for doors and windows and other features.
- Can select single or double roll, and square feet or yard coverage.
- Also allows for a variety of pattern matching options.
- Strengths: Good all-round US specific calculator.
- Limitations: Interface could be improved.
5. Omni Calculator – Wallpaper Calculator (www.omnicalculator.com):
- Description: Omni Calculator provides a wide range of calculators, including one for wallpaper. This one is more basic than the dedicated decorating supplier calculators.
- Features:
- Units: Supports metric and imperial.
- Wall Dimensions: Input height and width of the entire wall area (you need to sum the widths of all walls).
- Roll Size: Input roll width and length.
- Pattern Repeat (Optional): Can include pattern repeat, but it’s a single input, not per-wall.
- Waste Allowance (Adjustable): Allows you to set the desired waste percentage.
- Strengths: Simple and quick for basic calculations. The adjustable waste allowance is flexible.
- Limitations: Doesn’t account for individual walls or obstacles (doors/windows). Less precise for complex rooms. Best for simple, rectangular rooms without many features.
6. Calculators.org Wallpaper Calculator:
- Description: Provides a simple to use and clear wallpaper calculator.
- Features:
- Units: Supports inches, feet, yards, centimeters, or meters.
- Wall dimensions: Allows for multiple walls, and also adding areas that are not to be covered.
- Pattern Repeat: Can factor in pattern repeat.
- Strengths: Straightforward and clear, allows for multiple walls.
- Limitations: Doesn’t provide visuals, so you need to have a clear room layout.
Choosing the Right Calculator:
The best calculator for you depends on the complexity of your project:
- Simple, Rectangular Rooms: Omni Calculator or Wallpaperdirect’s simpler calculator might suffice.
- Rooms with Multiple Walls, Doors, and Windows: Brewers or Graham & Brown offer the greatest detail and accuracy.
- Patterned Wallpaper: Always use a calculator that specifically accounts for pattern repeat, and input the correct repeat measurement from your wallpaper label.
- US Specific: Inch Calculator.
Tips for Accurate Measurement:
- Measure Twice, Cut Once: This old adage applies perfectly to wallpapering. Double-check all your measurements before entering them into the calculator.
- Measure to the Nearest Quarter Inch (or Centimeter): Be as precise as possible.
- Account for Skirting Boards and Cornices: Measure the wall height between the skirting board and cornice, not from floor to ceiling.
- Include Extra for Waste: Most calculators add a waste allowance, but double-check. 10% is a good general rule, but complex patterns or tricky corners may require more.
- Round Up: Always round up to the nearest whole roll. You can’t buy half a roll, and it’s better to have a little extra than to run short.
By using one of these top online wallpaper calculators and following these measurement tips, you’ll be well-equipped to accurately estimate your wallpaper needs and achieve a beautiful, professional-looking finish. Good luck!