Turn measurements into a clear material list. Compare LVL, plywood, OSB, and glulam options quickly. Download results, shop confidently, and build cleaner garden projects.
Size engineered wood for garden structures fast today. Estimate boards, sheets, weight, and total cost easily. Include waste, coatings, taxes, and exports for records too.
Sample inputs for a raised bed wall build using panels.
| Unit | Project | Length | Width | Height | Thickness | Sheet | Waste | Unit Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial | Raised bed | 8 ft | 4 ft | 1.5 ft | 0.75 in | 8×4 ft | 10% | $35 |
| Metric | Planter box | 2.4 m | 1.2 m | 0.45 m | 18 mm | 2.44×1.22 m | 12% | 35 |
1) Perimeter wall area
Net Area = (2 × (Length + Width) × Height × Project Multiplier) − Openings
2) Waste allowance
Adjusted Area = Net Area × (1 + Waste% / 100)
3) Units required
Panels: Units = ceil(Adjusted Area ÷ (Sheet Length × Sheet Width))
Boards: Units = ceil((Adjusted Area ÷ Board Width) ÷ Stock Length)
4) Volume and weight
Volume = Net Area × Thickness
Weight = Volume × Density
5) Total cost
Total = (Material + Delivery + Hardware + Optional Coating) + Tax
This calculator estimates engineered wood for common garden structures by modeling wall coverage as perimeter times height. A project multiplier adjusts for typical bracing, slats, lids, or double skins. Openings subtract doors, vents, and large gaps so net area better reflects what you will actually sheath. Use consistent inside or outside dimensions, and keep units uniform across all fields for dependable results.
Select panels when you buy sheets, or boards when you buy pieces. For panels, required units are the ceiling of adjusted area divided by sheet area. For boards, adjusted area is converted to linear length using board width, then divided by stock length and rounded up. If you mix materials, run separate calculations per item so pricing and densities remain accurate.
Waste allowance increases net area before unit rounding, capturing offcuts, alignment losses, and damaged corners. Because units are rounded up, your final coverage can exceed net area. Use the coverage-after-rounding value to plan storage space and confirm your transport capacity. For sheet goods, consider seam layout and grain direction; for boards, consider knot avoidance and end trimming.
Thickness converts area into volume, then density converts volume into estimated weight. This supports safer handling plans for raised beds and shed walls, where heavy panels can strain fasteners and frames. Always verify density from product data sheets when moisture content varies. Weight is an estimate, not a lifting rating; choose bracing and anchors based on structural guidance and site conditions.
Material cost is units times unit price, then delivery, hardware, optional coating, and tax are added for a realistic total. Coating uses coverage per unit to estimate needed volume with the same waste factor, helping you budget sealers or exterior paint. Review totals against supplier pack sizes, then export CSV or PDF to keep repeatable records for purchasing, approvals, and maintenance logs. Results guide planning; final selections should match local codes.
It estimates net cover area, required sheets or boards, approximate weight, and an itemized cost total. It is intended for planning purchases and transport, not for structural engineering certification.
Wall area is modeled as perimeter times height, then multiplied by a project factor. You can subtract doors, vents, or gaps using the openings field to get net cover area.
Units are rounded up to whole sheets or pieces. That rounding can create extra coverage beyond the target area, which is helpful for mistakes, future repairs, and consistent panel seams.
Use 5–10% for simple rectangles, 10–15% for many cuts or openings, and 15–25% for complex layouts or slat work. Increase waste if boards have defects you plan to avoid.
No. Weight depends on product density, thickness tolerances, and moisture. Use it as a handling estimate, then confirm actual sheet weights from manufacturer specifications when load limits matter.
Exports capture your inputs and key outputs: areas, units, weight, costs, and totals. Use them to share lists with suppliers, attach to job notes, or compare scenarios over time.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.