Free online tool
Wall Panel & Cladding Estimator
How many wall panels do you need? Give us the wall size and the panel format — we calculate net area, panels with cutting wastage, offcuts and adhesive quantity.
Your cladding order
Order one extra panel for future repairs — patterned and fluted panels are hard to match later. We can quote matching trims and corner profiles so the wall reads finished on site.
Send the numbers to us
Send the wall size and panel format — we reply with a quotation and the accessory list.
How it works
How to calculate wall panel quantity
Wall panel orders are decided by area, not by piece, because the panel size is fixed by the factory:
- Gross wall area = wall width × wall height × number of walls.
- Net area = gross area minus doors, windows and openings.
- Panels = net area × (1 + wastage) ÷ panel area, rounded up.
- Adhesive = net area ÷ coverage per unit (for example 5 kg per m² for a heavy WPC panel).
The estimator also reports the offcut area - the difference between what you ordered and what the wall actually needs - so you can see how much material the cutting plan leaves over.
Panel size versus number of panels
For a single wall of 4 × 3 m (12 m²), with no openings and 5% wastage:
| Panel size | Panel area | Panels needed | Best used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200 × 2400 mm | 2.88 m² | 5 | Full height feature walls |
| 1200 × 600 mm | 0.72 m² | 17 | Standard rooms, partial walls |
| 600 × 600 mm | 0.36 m² | 34 | Small areas, complicated shapes |
| 3000 × 300 mm slat | 0.90 m² | 14 | Vertical slat feature walls |
Wall panel materials compared
| Material | Thickness | Weight | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon crystal (PVC composite) | 3 / 5 / 8 / 12 mm | Light | Wet areas, bathrooms, kitchens |
| WPC (wood plastic composite) | 5 / 8 / 10 mm | Medium | Living rooms, offices, corridors |
| Slatted WPC with felt | 20-40 mm | Heavy | Acoustic feature walls, hotels |
| Solid PVC foam board | 3 / 5 / 8 mm | Very light | Ceilings, curved and shaped walls |
| Melamine faced board | 9 / 12 mm | Medium | Office fit-outs, retail shelving walls |
Installation checklist for wall panels
- Keep an 8-10 mm expansion gap around the perimeter and between panel groups - WPC moves with humidity.
- Acclimatise the panels for 48 hours in the room before fixing.
- Use construction adhesive (not tile glue) for WPC and carbon crystal, about 4-5 kg per m² on a flat substrate.
- Check the substrate: flat concrete or plasterboard. Hollow, uneven walls need furring battens first.
- Plan the layout direction - vertical, horizontal or diagonal changes the cutting plan and therefore the offcut.
- Order corner profiles, trims and end caps with the panels; they are small items that delay installation when missing.
- For bathrooms, use the carbon crystal series and seal all panel joints and screw heads.
- Ask for the fire rating when the wall is in a public or commercial building.
Frequently asked questions
How much wall panel do I need for my wall?
Multiply the wall width by the height for each wall, subtract doors and windows, add 5-10% for cutting, then divide by the area of one panel and round up. The estimator above does this for several walls at once and also works out the adhesive quantity and the offcut area.
How much adhesive do I need for wall panels?
For a heavy WPC or carbon crystal panel on a flat wall, use roughly 4-5 kg per square metre of wall area, applied as a full-surface comb trowel or in a dot pattern for a lighter panel. The estimator converts the net wall area into the number of adhesive units once you enter the coverage per unit.
Can WPC wall panels be used in bathrooms?
WPC is water resistant but not intended for direct splash zones. In bathrooms and kitchens use the carbon crystal or PVC composite series, seal the joints, keep the panels clear of direct shower spray and check that the adhesive is suitable for wet-room conditions.
Do wall panels need a substrate?
They need a flat, even and clean surface: fair-faced concrete, plasterboard or a batten frame over an uneven wall. Hollow or uneven substrates cause the panel to bow, which is visible in the joints, so install furring battens first when the wall is not flat.
Where this calculator leads
Get wall panels quoted factory direct
We manufacture carbon crystal, WPC and PVC foam wall panels in 3-12 mm, in store and container packing for distributors and project orders. Send the estimator result and we quote panel count, trims, adhesive and the loading plan.