📐 Materials Calculator

How much do you need?

Enter your room size for a quick materials estimate.

Estimate only — rounded up, based on standard coverage rates (drywall +10% waste; paint ~350 sq ft per gallon per coat; batt bundles by cavity depth, less a framing factor; studs at your chosen spacing plus waste). Product coverage varies by brand — confirm quantities before buying. Ask us about the right R-value for your project.

Rather we handle it? Get a free estimate →

Insulation Calculator Questions

How much insulation do I need?

Measure the area you're insulating. For a wall that's its length × its height; for an attic it's the floor length × the width. Batts are sold by the bundle, and each bundle covers less area as the cavity gets deeper — so a 2×6 wall takes noticeably more bundles than a 2×4 wall of the same size. The calculator above works it out from your measurements.

Why is the insulated area smaller than the wall area?

Because the studs aren't insulated. At 16 inches on centre the framing takes up roughly 10% of the wall; at 24 inches on centre roughly 7%. That's why a 160 sq ft wall never needs 160 sq ft of batt. The calculator shows you both the gross area and the net area after that framing factor.

How many bags of blown-in insulation for an attic top-up?

It depends on the area and on how many inches you're adding — not on the final depth alone. Measure what's already up there, decide the depth you want, and the difference is what you're paying for. Set the cavity to “Attic” in the calculator and it estimates the bags from those two numbers.

Do I need a vapour barrier?

In Alberta a warm-side vapour barrier is standard behind new drywall on exterior walls. The calculator includes a poly estimate with an overlap allowance. If you're not sure what your wall needs, ask us — it's a short conversation and it's free.

What R-value should I be aiming for?

That depends on the assembly, the age of the house and what you're trying to achieve, so it isn't a number worth guessing at from a web page. Tell us what you're working on and we'll tell you what's appropriate for it.

Rather Leave It to the Pros?

Insulation, vapour barrier, board and finish — one crew, one booking, one fixed price.

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The calculator gives you a materials ballpark. A free on-site visit gives you a fixed price.
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