Q & A
Gio Obolashvili How to Calculate Quantities for 4"-8"-12" Variegated Metal Panels
Hi guys,
I am working with variegated metal panels where the pattern is consistent across the wall. The panels repeat in this sequence: 4" + 8" + 12". All panels have the same length, but each width has different pricing, so I need to calculate the quantity of 4", 8", and 12" panels separately.
My wall takeoff is measured as total area (SF) and panels are installed vertically.
What is the best way to calculate how many 4", 8", and 12" panels are needed from this repeating pattern?
Thank you in advance for your help.
I don’t have full context on your application or how far you’re pushing the software, but if this is a straightforward system, one possible approach in ZZ Takeoff would be to base the takeoff on the repeating pattern itself.
With a fixed 4" + 8" + 12" layout (24" total), you could treat one full sequence as a single unit using a linear takeoff. From there, you’d count one pattern every 24" (2 ft) and apply rounding so partial runs don’t undercount.
If the panels are being manipulated, broken at ends, wrapped around conditions, or otherwise varied, you’d likely need to dive deeper and get some help from someone a little more knowledge.
Thank you very much!
You’re very welcome. I mostly just hack my way through things and gradually improve whatever I’ve built. I’m lucky that a lot of my work is fairly repetitive, so I can keep refining the same templates knowing I’ll reuse them.
Trades that are constantly dealing with new products and applications definitely have it tougher. Good Luck!
Alternatively, you could do this with three separate linear takeoffs, each counting one panel every 24". If you know which panel the pattern starts with, you can stagger the starting point of each takeoff so they line up with the sequence across the wall.
There’s probably a more elegant way to offset the start position mathematically, but this approach can still work in practice if the pattern is consistent.