| Item | Length | Width | Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main bench top | 8.00 ft | 2.50 ft | 20.00 ft² |
| Side shelf | 6.00 ft | 1.00 ft | 6.00 ft² |
| Vent opening (cutout) | 1.50 ft | 1.00 ft | -1.50 ft² |
| Net area | — | 24.50 ft² | |
| Waste 10% | — | +2.45 ft² | |
| Required coverage | — | 26.95 ft² | |
- Area of rectangle = Length × Width
- Gross area = Main area + Σ(Extra areas)
- Net area = Gross area − Σ(Cutouts)
- Required area = Net area × (1 + Overlap%) × (1 + Waste%)
- Packs = ceil(Required area ÷ Pack coverage)
- Tile area = Tile length × Tile width (unit converted)
- Pack coverage (derived) = Tile area × Tiles per pack
- Choose the unit system that matches your tape measure.
- Enter the main surface length and width.
- Add extra surfaces for shelves, panels, or side walls.
- Enter cutouts for vents, windows, or access ports.
- Set waste for trims and miscuts, usually 8–15%.
- Set overlap only if you overlap seams or edges.
- Enter pack coverage, or enter tile size and tiles per pack.
- Press Calculate to see packs, tiles, and optional cost.
- Download CSV or PDF for shopping and planning.
Peel and stick materials are often applied to greenhouse benches, cabinet faces, potting stations, shelving, and garden utility walls. Start by measuring each rectangular section you plan to cover. If the surface is irregular, break it into rectangles, enter the main section, then use additional surfaces for the remaining panels. This reduces errors that occur when estimating by eye and improves repeatability across multiple work areas.
Cutouts and obstacles
Openings for vents, access ports, watering lines, electrical boxes, and handles remove real coverage area. Enter these as cutouts so the net area reflects what will actually receive material. In garden environments, cutouts are common around hose bibs and fan housings. Subtracting them early prevents overbuying and helps you plan cleaner seams around the obstacle.
Waste and overlap allowances
Waste allowance accounts for offcuts, trimming around edges, and rework from misalignment. Many installers plan 8–15% depending on pattern matching and the number of corners. Overlap allowance is separate and applies when sheets are intentionally overlapped at seams, on edges, or at corners to improve moisture resistance. Using both values produces a realistic required coverage total.
Pack coverage and tile sizing
Manufacturers may list pack coverage directly, which is the fastest input. If you only know tile size and tiles per pack, the calculator derives pack coverage from tile area. This is useful when products are sold by count rather than area. Always confirm whether listed dimensions include grout gaps or backing margins, because those details affect effective coverage.
Interpreting results for purchasing
The packs figure is rounded up by default to prevent shortages during installation. The tool also estimates tile count and optional cost when a pack price is provided. Use the downloaded CSV to share quantities with suppliers, and the PDF to keep a job record. For large projects, compare net area to required area to understand how much allowance you are carrying, with less downtime and waste.
What should I use for waste percentage?
Use 8–10% for simple rectangles. Use 12–15% when you expect many cuts, tight corners, or frequent alignment checks around fixtures.
When do I add overlap percentage?
Add overlap only if you will overlap sheet edges or seams on purpose. For butt-jointed seams, keep overlap at 0% and rely on waste instead.
Can I mix multiple surfaces in one calculation?
Yes. Enter the primary panel as the main surface and add up to three extra surfaces. This method keeps each rectangle traceable and easy to verify.
How do cutouts affect the final total?
Cutouts are subtracted from gross area to form net area. This prevents overestimating coverage when you have vents, windows, access ports, or hardware openings.
What if my pack coverage is unknown?
Enter tile length, tile width, and tiles per pack. The calculator derives pack coverage from tile area and uses it to estimate packs and tile quantity.
Why does the calculator round packs up?
Rounding up reduces the risk of running short after trimming and correcting misalignment. You can switch to nearest rounding, but shortages can delay the job.