How to measure skirting and architrave from a floor plan
Quick answer
Skirting is the room perimeter minus the door openings. The quickest way is to trace each room as an area — the measurement gives you the perimeter for free — then subtract door widths. Add architrave per door opening (two legs plus a head). Free to do in the browser.
Skirting and architrave are linear finishing items that are easy to under- or over-measure by hand. The trick is to get the perimeter from the floor area you (often) already need, then adjust for openings.
Here's a fast, accurate method that also picks up architrave.
Step by step
- 1
Set the scale
Calibrate the plan with a preset ratio or a known dimension.
- 2
Trace each room as an area
Use the area tool to outline each room. As well as the floor area, Solid Takeoff reports the perimeter — that's your gross skirting length.
- 3
Deduct door and opening widths
Subtract each door/opening width from the perimeter (skirting stops at openings). Keep a note of the deductions so they're auditable.
- 4
Keep skirting types separate
If rooms use different skirting profiles or heights, use a condition per type so lengths don't mix.
- 5
Add architrave per opening
Architrave is roughly two legs (door height) plus a head (door width) per side that's cased — count doors and multiply, or measure directly.
- 6
Add waste and export
Add a small cutting/mitre waste allowance, then export a CSV of the lengths for your estimate.
Tips & gotchas
- •Skirting length = room perimeter − door/opening widths (take the perimeter from the area).
- •One condition per skirting profile/height so they total separately.
- •Architrave ≈ (2 × door height + door width) per cased side — count doors to scale it.
- •Add a little waste for mitres and cutting on cut-up rooms.
- •Bay windows and returns add length — follow the actual wall line when tracing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure skirting from a floor plan?
Trace each room as an area — the measurement includes the perimeter, which is your gross skirting length — then deduct door and opening widths. Solid Takeoff reports area and perimeter as you trace.
Do I get the perimeter automatically?
Yes — every area measurement reports the perimeter, so you don't have to measure the walls separately for skirting or edge trim.
How do I estimate architrave?
Per cased opening it's roughly two legs (door height) plus a head (door width). Count the doors and multiply, or measure the casings directly.
Is it free?
Yes — area/perimeter measurement and export are on Solid Takeoff's free plan.
Try it on your own plan — free
Open a PDF and measure in your browser. No card, no install, no CAD. Free plan forever.