How many square feet of gypsum board are needed for a room that measures 12' x 16' with an 8' ceiling?

To calculate the total square footage of gypsum board needed for a room that measures 12 feet by 16 feet with an 8-foot ceiling, you first need to determine the surface area that will be covered by the gypsum board.

Here’s how to break it down:

1. Calculate the perimeter of the room:

The perimeter can be determined by adding all the sides of the room. For a room measuring 12 feet by 16 feet:

• The length is 16 feet, and the width is 12 feet.

• The perimeter (P) is calculated using the formula P = 2(length + width), which translates to:

• P = 2(16 + 12) = 2(28) = 56 feet.

2. Calculate the total wall area:

Each wall will be 8 feet high. Therefore, the area of the walls can be calculated as:

• Wall area = perimeter × height of the walls = 56 feet × 8 feet = 448 square feet.

3. Calculate the area of the ceiling:

The ceiling covers the entire floor area:

• Ceiling area = length × width = 12 feet