Scandinavian Thermally Modified Wood: Measure Your Project and Order the Right Quantity

Understanding Scandinavian Thermally Modified Wood Profiles and Units

Scandinavian Thermally Modified Wood is available in several profiles, each with specific nominal dimensions and applications. For accurate quantity calculations, it is essential to know the exact profile you intend to use and its corresponding nominal size.

The S4S E4E profile, often in a nominal 5/4 × 6 size, is used for siding, ceilings, and decking. These nominal sizes are crucial for calculating coverage.

Material is typically sold by the linear foot (LF) for specific board lengths or by the square foot (SF) for total coverage. For this product, given its board format, linear foot calculations are often more precise, especially when considering individual board lengths and potential waste from cuts.

Measuring Your Project Area Accurately

Before any calculation, take precise measurements of the surface you plan to cover. Use a reliable tape measure and record dimensions in feet and inches, converting everything to a consistent unit (e.g., decimal feet or inches) for calculations.

For rectangular areas, measure the length and height (or width) of each section. For more complex shapes, break them down into simpler geometric forms. Always measure twice to confirm accuracy. Document all dimensions clearly, ideally with a sketch of your project area.

Remember to account for any openings such as windows, doors, or built-in features. You will subtract these areas from your total surface area to get the net coverage required. However, do not subtract small cut-outs immediately; sometimes these offcuts can be utilized elsewhere.

Calculating Linear Footage for Coverage

Once you have your net surface area, you need to convert this to linear footage based on your chosen board profile. Let's use the example of a nominal 1 × 6 board. A 6-inch nominal width typically translates to an actual coverage width that is slightly less, due to the overlap or joint design (e.g., a tongue-and-groove profile will have a narrower exposed face). Always confirm the actual net coverage width of your chosen profile.

For a board with a 5.5-inch actual coverage width (which is common for a 1x6 nominal board), each linear foot covers 5.5 inches * 12 inches/foot = 66 square inches, or 5.5/12 square feet per linear foot. To find the linear footage needed for a given area, divide the total square footage by the actual coverage width in feet (e.g., 5.5 inches / 12 inches/foot ≈ 0.458 feet).

For instance, if you have a wall section that is 10 feet wide by 8 feet high, the total area is 80 square feet. Using a 1x6 board with 5.5-inch coverage (0.458 ft), you would need approximately 80 sq ft / 0.458 ft/LF = 174.67 linear feet. This is the theoretical minimum without accounting for waste.

Accounting for Waste and Cuts

It is crucial to factor in waste when ordering. Cuts for trimming ends, navigating around obstacles, and correcting mistakes will generate unusable material. A common waste factor for siding and paneling projects ranges from 10% to 15%, but this can vary depending on the complexity of your project and your skill level.

For projects with many windows, doors, or angled cuts, a higher waste factor (e.g., 15-20%) might be prudent. For simple, long runs on a flat wall, 10% might suffice. Always round up your total linear footage after applying the waste factor to ensure you have enough material.

Consider the available lengths of Scandinavian Thermally Modified Wood. If boards are typically sold in fixed lengths (e.g., 8-foot, 10-foot, 12-foot increments), you may need to adjust your order to minimize waste from cutting down longer boards. For example, if you need many 7-foot pieces, ordering 8-foot boards will result in 1 foot of waste per board.

Worked Example: Calculating for a Feature Wall

The wall measures 12 feet in width and 9 feet in height. There is one window opening measuring 3 feet wide by 4 feet high.

1. **Calculate Total Wall Area:** 12 feet (width) * 9 feet (height) = 108 square feet.

2. **Calculate Window Area:** 3 feet (width) * 4 feet (height) = 12 square feet.

3. **Calculate Net Coverage Area:** 108 sq ft - 12 sq ft = 96 square feet.

4. **Determine Actual Coverage Width in Feet:** 5.5 inches / 12 inches/foot = 0.4583 feet.

5. **Calculate Theoretical Linear Footage:** 96 sq ft / 0.4583 ft/LF = 209.47 linear feet.

6. **Apply Waste Factor:** For an interior wall with one window, let's use a 12% waste factor. 209.47 LF * 1.12 (100% + 12%) = 234.61 linear feet.

7. **Round Up to the Nearest Full Board/Length:** If boards are sold in 10-foot lengths, you would need 235 linear feet / 10 feet/board = 23.5 boards. You would round up to 24 boards. If you need to order in specific lengths, you'd need to map out your cuts more precisely to optimize board usage. For instance, if you need 9-foot pieces, a 10-foot board gives 1 foot of waste. If you need 3-foot pieces for above/below the window, an 8-foot board could yield two 3-foot pieces with 2 feet of waste, or a 10-foot board could yield three 3-foot pieces with 1 foot of waste.

Before you order

• Verify the actual net coverage width of the chosen profile (this is crucial for accurate calculations).
• Measure all project dimensions twice, converting to a consistent unit (feet or inches).
• Sketch your project area, marking all openings, corners, and features.
• Calculate the total surface area to be covered.
• Subtract areas of all openings (windows, doors) to determine the net coverage area.
• Apply a waste factor (typically 10-20%) based on project complexity.
• Consider standard board lengths available and how they align with your cut requirements to minimize waste.
• Round up your final calculated linear footage to ensure sufficient material.

Confirm installation details, approved uses and warranty terms in the current instructions for the exact product and profile. Your installer should verify the substrate, structure and applicable project requirements.

Questions to help you decide

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