.trim-calculator-container {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
background: #f9f9f9;
padding: 30px;
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}
.trim-calculator-container h2 {
text-align: center;
color: #333;
margin-bottom: 25px;
}
.trim-form-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 20px;
}
.trim-input-group {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.trim-input-group label {
display: block;
font-weight: 600;
margin-bottom: 5px;
color: #555;
}
.trim-input-group input, .trim-input-group select {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.trim-input-group .unit {
font-size: 0.85em;
color: #777;
margin-top: 2px;
}
.trim-calc-btn {
grid-column: span 2;
background-color: #2c3e50;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 15px;
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: bold;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.3s;
margin-top: 10px;
}
.trim-calc-btn:hover {
background-color: #34495e;
}
.trim-results {
margin-top: 30px;
background: #fff;
border: 1px solid #e1e1e1;
border-radius: 6px;
padding: 20px;
display: none;
}
.trim-results.visible {
display: block;
}
.result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
padding: 10px 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
}
.result-row:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
font-weight: bold;
font-size: 1.1em;
color: #2c3e50;
}
.result-label {
color: #666;
}
.result-value {
font-weight: 700;
color: #333;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.trim-form-grid {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
.trim-calc-btn {
grid-column: span 1;
}
}
/* Article Styles */
.trim-article {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 40px auto;
font-family: inherit;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
}
.trim-article h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
border-bottom: 2px solid #eee;
padding-bottom: 10px;
margin-top: 30px;
}
.trim-article p {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.trim-article ul {
margin-bottom: 15px;
padding-left: 20px;
}
.trim-article li {
margin-bottom: 8px;
}
function calculateTrim() {
// Get Inputs
var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('roomLength').value);
var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('roomWidth').value);
var doors = parseFloat(document.getElementById('numDoors').value);
var doorWidth = parseFloat(document.getElementById('doorWidth').value);
var wasteMultiplier = parseFloat(document.getElementById('wasteFactor').value);
var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('costPerFoot').value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width)) {
alert("Please enter valid numbers for Room Length and Width.");
return;
}
// Set defaults if empty
if (isNaN(doors)) doors = 0;
if (isNaN(doorWidth)) doorWidth = 3; // Standard door
if (isNaN(price)) price = 0;
// Calculations
var grossPerimeter = (length * 2) + (width * 2);
var totalDeductions = doors * doorWidth;
// Ensure deductions don't exceed perimeter
if (totalDeductions > grossPerimeter) {
totalDeductions = grossPerimeter;
}
var netLength = grossPerimeter – totalDeductions;
var totalRequired = netLength * wasteMultiplier;
var totalCost = totalRequired * price;
// Formatting
document.getElementById('resPerimeter').innerText = grossPerimeter.toFixed(1) + " ft";
document.getElementById('resDeductions').innerText = "-" + totalDeductions.toFixed(1) + " ft";
document.getElementById('resNet').innerText = netLength.toFixed(1) + " ft";
document.getElementById('resTotal').innerText = Math.ceil(totalRequired) + " ft"; // Usually buy in whole feet
document.getElementById('resCost').innerText = "$" + totalCost.toFixed(2);
// Show Result
document.getElementById('trimResult').className = "trim-results visible";
}
How to Calculate Linear Feet for Trim and Molding
Accurately estimating the amount of trim required for a room is an essential step in finish carpentry. Whether you are installing baseboards, crown molding, or chair rails, buying the correct amount of material saves money and prevents mid-project trips to the hardware store. The concept relies on determining the "Linear Footage" of the space.
1. Measure the Perimeter
The foundation of any trim calculation is the perimeter of the room. To find this, measure the length of all four walls and add them together. For a standard rectangular room, the formula is:
(Length × 2) + (Width × 2) = Gross Perimeter.
2. Account for Deductions
Not all walls require trim. For baseboards, you typically need to deduct the width of doorways and archways where the trim stops. However, for crown molding, you generally ignore door deductions because the molding runs along the ceiling above the door frame.
- Baseboards: Subtract the width of every door and opening (typically 2.5 to 3 feet per door).
- Crown Molding: Do not deduct for doors unless you have floor-to-ceiling cabinetry.
- Window Casing: Measure the perimeter of the window itself, not the room.
3. The Importance of the Waste Factor
You should never buy exactly the net footage required. In carpentry, the "Waste Factor" accounts for cuts, corners, mistakes, and unusable ends of boards.
- 10% Waste: Standard for simple, rectangular rooms with few corners.
- 15-20% Waste: Recommended for rooms with many angles, bay windows, or if you are installing patterned molding that requires pattern matching.
For example, if your room requires 50 net linear feet, you should purchase 55 feet (50 × 1.10) to ensure you have enough material to complete the job seamlessly.
Choosing the Right Material
Trim comes in various materials including MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), Finger-Joint Pine, and Solid Wood. MDF is cost-effective and comes pre-primed, making it excellent for painted trim. Solid wood is preferred if you intend to stain the wood to show the grain. When using this calculator, ensure your "Price per Linear Foot" matches the specific material you have chosen.