So, you’re thinking about adding a touch of elegance to your home with some stylish coving? That’s great. But before you dive into the exciting world of plaster, you’ll need to learn how to measure coving properly. Don’t worry, though – it’s not as tricky as you might think. Whether you’re working with intricate Victorian cornices or sleek, modern coving, getting those measurements right will make the installation process a breeze.
Understanding how to measure coving correctly will save you potential headaches down the road, not to mention extra trips to the shop. This guide will take you through everything you need to know, giving you the confidence to tackle this crucial step in your home improvement project.
Measuring Your Coving
Before you begin, you’ll need a few tools to ensure accuracy. Gather a measuring tape, a notepad and a pencil to jot down your measurements as you go. It also helps to have a helper on hand, especially when dealing with longer walls.
1. Measure the Perimeter of the Room
The first step in how to measure coving is calculating the total length of coving you’ll need. Start by measuring the length of each wall in the room using your tape measure.
Be sure to measure at the height where the coving will be installed – this is important because walls aren’t always perfectly straight. This height is usually the top of the skirting board if you plan to keep it.
Write down each wall measurement clearly. Once you’ve done this for every wall, add up the individual measurements. The resulting figure is your room’s perimeter – essentially, the total length of coving needed without considering any waste.
2. Factoring in Corners and Waste
Next, count the number of internal and external corners in your room. Each corner will require a mitred cut, meaning you’ll need a bit of extra coving for each one.
As a general rule of thumb, add 10% extra coving to your total perimeter measurement. This percentage accounts for mitre cuts, any slight miscalculations or awkward angles.
However, if your room has more than six corners, it’s advisable to increase the waste allowance to 15%, just to be safe.
3. Determining the Drop and Projection
Now, this is where understanding coving dimensions is handy. When browsing through coving options, you’ll often come across two key measurements: drop and projection.
- Drop: This refers to the measurement from the ceiling down to the wall at the coving’s furthest point. A coving’s drop greatly impacts the visual effect. Larger drops are perfect for adding a statement to rooms with high ceilings. A small coving drop like the Ogee, 50mm (code SPC006), can work wonders in more compact spaces.
- Projection: This is the distance the coving extends outward from the wall towards the centre of the room. Think of it as how far the coving ‘sticks out’ from the wall. Projection is just as important as the drop for achieving a balanced aesthetic.
Consider the size of your room and the style of your coving to determine the most appropriate drop and projection measurements. There are perfectly formed coving styles for a more discreet elegance, such as codes SPC071 and MPC085.
On the other hand, bolder, larger coving options will create a grander feel. Remember, how to measure coving effectively involves factoring in your existing décor and the overall aesthetic you want to achieve.
A common misconception is measuring diagonally across the coving’s face to determine its size. While this gives a diagonal length measurement, it’s not particularly helpful for calculating how much coving you need to purchase.
4. Choosing the Right Coving Size
While a medium plaster coving works well in most homes, larger rooms and high ceilings benefit from more substantial coving. It’s all about visual balance – the coving should complement your space. Our range of ornate large plaster coving does just that for period homes with grandeur.
To help visualise, we’ve created a handy table based on common ceiling heights.
| Ceiling Height | Recommended Coving Drop |
|---|---|
| Up to 2.4m (8ft) | 50mm – 75mm (2″ – 3″) |
| 2.4m – 2.7m (8ft – 9ft) | 75mm – 100mm (3″ – 4″) |
| 2.7m – 3m (9ft – 10ft) | 100mm – 125mm (4″ – 5″) |
| 3m (10ft) and above | 125mm (5″) and above |
5. Marking Your Coving
When fitting, you should aim to install the coving straight and level, addressing any gaps afterwards. Using a pencil, lightly mark the wall and ceiling where the coving’s edges will sit when fixed. This doesn’t need to be overly precise at this stage, just a rough guide.
Use a long straight edge (a spirit level works great) to join your marks, creating a continuous guideline on both the walls and ceiling. For longer runs, you can use a chalk line snapped against the wall for a straight line.
6. Double-Checking Your Work
Once you have your measurements, walk around the room and visually assess how the coving size will look in place. Sometimes, even with accurate measurements, the actual coving may appear larger or smaller than expected once up on the wall.
If you’re uncertain, play it safe and get a sample pack. Most suppliers offer them so you can see and feel the different profiles before committing to a bulk purchase.
FAQs About How to Measure Coving
How is 127mm coving measured?
A 127mm coving measurement refers to the coving’s drop, meaning it extends 127mm downwards from the ceiling to its lowest point on the wall. Remember that this measurement does not include the projection.
How to measure coving from a DIY shop?
Measuring coving, whether from a DIY shop or any other supplier, follows the same principles. First, measure the perimeter of the room and count the corners. Always double-check the individual product descriptions for the drop and projection measurements, and add the appropriate waste allowance as needed.
What is the drop on 127mm coving?
The drop on 127mm coving is, as the name suggests, 127mm or approximately 5 inches.
What size is 90mm coving?
Similar to the 127mm example, a 90mm coving implies a 90mm drop from the ceiling. However, without knowing its projection, you won’t be able to determine the coving’s full size or how far it projects from the wall.
Remember, both measurements are important when considering the overall visual impact.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to measure coving like a pro, you can move on with confidence to the next stage. By understanding these simple tips and measuring carefully, you can ensure that your new plaster coving or cornice complements the architecture of your home perfectly. You’re one step closer to transforming your living spaces. And always remember – if in doubt, order a sample pack. This will give you confidence in your chosen style and measurements before making a big commitment.
If this all sounds like a lot of effort to you, why not get in touch with our plastering team who can size, source and install the coving for you, giving your rooms a fantastic finishing touch?
