Commercial calculator
Commercial wall panel and siding calculator
Enter each wall elevation and the storefronts, doors and windows in it. We net out the openings, add waste and turn the area into panel feet, panel count and trim footage for a metal panel, fiber cement or siding re-clad.
Result
Enter your walls and press Calculate.
Re-cladding commercial walls in Ohio and Michigan
Freeze-thaw cycles, road salt near parking lots and wind-driven rain off the lakes are hard on older masonry, EIFS and metal walls. When a building is re-clad, the panel itself is only part of the job: the air and water barrier behind it, insulation, flashing at openings and the base of the wall decide whether it stays dry.
Use this takeoff to size the job and compare bids on the same quantities. It does not price the work. Commercial wall systems are designed for wind load and, where required, fire rating, so confirm the system and details with the manufacturer, a design professional and your building department.
How to use this tool
- Measure each elevation along the ground and its height to the top of the wall; use the average for sloped tops.
- Group identical openings (storefronts, overhead doors, man doors, windows) with a count.
- Enter the panel coverage width from the product data sheet and, if you know it, the panel length.
- Use the takeoff to compare bids on the same quantities.
Re-cladding in our climate
Freeze-thaw cycles, road salt near parking lots and wind-driven rain off Lake Erie and the Great Lakes are hard on older commercial walls. When a building is re-clad, flashing at openings and the base of the wall matters as much as the panel.
Common commercial cladding compared
| Cladding | What to check in a bid |
|---|---|
| Metal wall panels | Panel profile and gauge, concealed or exposed fasteners, trim and flashing at openings |
| Insulated metal panels | Panel thickness, joint seals, air barrier continuity |
| Fiber cement or composite | Fastening pattern, joint treatment, rainscreen gap |
| Vinyl or engineered siding | Starter, J-channel and corner trim, housewrap and flashing |
Get a free inspection or multiple bids
Free Asset Protection Inspection
Have the roof you're worried about looked at in person, at no cost and with no obligation. Homes, commercial buildings and HOA communities in Ohio and Michigan.
Inspections are done by our founder, Jonathan Blake, or, if you allow it, by the independent roofing and exterior contractor he works for.
Get three comparable bids
- Save or print this tool's result so every contractor starts from the same numbers.
- Ask at least three contractors for a written proposal on the same scope.
- Compare line by line: area, tear-off, repairs, materials, permits, warranty.
Why plan here first
| What you get | Midwest Roof Calculators | National cost websites | A first number on the doorstep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for Ohio and Michigan weather and permits | Yes | Rarely | Varies |
| Shows the formula and every assumption | Yes | Sometimes | Rarely |
| See results before giving contact details | Yes | Often not | No |
| Ranges labeled with what they include and exclude | Yes | Varies | Varies |
| Questions to ask every contractor | Yes | Sometimes | No |
| Replaces an in-person inspection | No, and we say so | No | No |
General comparison of approaches, not of any named company.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure a commercial wall for panels?
Measure each elevation along the ground and from grade to the top of the wall, then list the storefronts, doors and windows in it. The calculator subtracts the openings and adds a waste allowance.
What is panel coverage width?
The width one panel covers on the wall after it laps the next one. It is smaller than the panel's full width and is listed on the product data sheet.
Does this price the job?
No. Commercial wall work depends on the system, access, insulation, air and water barriers and code requirements, so we give quantities only. Use them to compare bids on the same scope.
Want a second look at your walls?
Takes about 30 seconds. No obligation, and we never sell your information.