Inputs Imperial
Plate Lap Settings
Set different corner/field lap lengths for each plate course.
Presets are non‑authoritative placeholders. Always verify against current code.
These are planning estimates. Verify against local codes and engineered requirements.
Results
| Item | Quantity | Unit | Board Feet | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Run the calculator to see results. | |||||
Plate Break Schedule (staggered joints)
Schedules are schematic; adjust piece lengths on site to maintain minimum staggering and plate laps around corners and openings.
Top Plate — Course 1
| # | Piece Length (ft) |
|---|
Top Plate — Course 2
| # | Piece Length (ft) |
|---|
Bottom Plate
| # | Piece Length (ft) |
|---|
Header Cut Optimization
Cuts are packed into stock lengths using first‑fit decreasing. Adjust spans or stock sizes to reduce offcuts.
| Board # | Cuts (ft) | Waste (ft) |
|---|
Formulas Used
- Perimeter (rectangle):
P = 2 × (L + W) - Base studs along walls:
floor(P / S), where S is stud spacing. - Openings removed:
floor(Dw / S) × D + floor(Ww / S) × W; Added:D×(K_d + T_d) + W×(K_w + T_w) - Final studs:
base + corners + tees − removed + added + blocksthen waste. - Top plates: two courses, bottom plate single; laps per course and mode.
- Board-feet:
BF = (thickness_in × width_in × length_ft) / 12 - Sheathing panels: orientation-based tiling with waste.
Presets are illustrative only; consult current requirements for your jurisdiction and project.
Notes & Assumptions
- Top courses share one lap mode; bottom plate has its own.
- Corner/field lap lengths can differ per course.
- Optimization spreads remainder across plate pieces and packs header cuts.
- Butt-joint straps priced per joint when enabled.
- Verify outputs with engineered details and current code editions.