Sheet Vinyl and Linoleum Estimating
A sheet vinyl or linoleum takeoff lays out each roll across the room, then adds flash or integral cove up the walls, heat-weld rod along every seam, and cap strip and fillet at the top of the cove. Because rolls are narrow, usually around 6 feet for vinyl and 2 meters for linoleum, seam and roll layout drive the gross quantity.
Why sheet goods need a roll layout
Commercial sheet vinyl is commonly made about 6 feet (or 2 meters) wide, and linoleum is typically about 2 meters wide. In a 14-foot room the installer needs three widths, and the last one is mostly offcut. Healthcare and lab specifications often add that seams must stay out of certain areas, which can force extra drops. A Callidus® roll layout shows exactly how many lineal feet of each roll are needed.
Flash cove and integral cove
Flash cove (also called integral cove) turns the sheet up the wall, usually 4 or 6 inches, creating a seamless, cleanable base. It changes the estimate in several ways:
| Item | How it is measured |
|---|---|
| Sheet material turned up the wall | Added to the gross sheet quantity, based on room perimeter and cove height. |
| Cove former / fillet strip | Linear feet along each wall where cove is specified. |
| Cap strip | Linear feet at the top edge of the cove. |
| Inside and outside corners | Counted per corner; they add labor and sometimes preformed pieces. |
| Heat-weld rod | Linear feet along every seam and cove corner. |
Healthcare, labs and wet areas
Hospitals, clinics, labs and food service areas often specify homogeneous sheet vinyl with welded seams and integral cove for hygiene. These spaces also bring moisture testing, mitigation systems and transitions to other floors. We list each so it can be priced, and we flag conflicts between plans and specifications in the qualifications. See healthcare flooring estimating.
What a CFE sheet goods takeoff includes
- Net SF by product and finish code
- Gross SF or lineal yards from a roll layout with seam diagram
- Flash or integral cove LF with height noted
- Cap strip, fillet strip and corner counts
- Weld rod LF by color
- Transitions and adjacent wall base
Frequently Asked Questions
How wide is commercial sheet vinyl?
Many commercial sheet vinyl products are about 6 feet or 2 meters wide, and linoleum is typically about 2 meters wide. Check the product data, because roll width changes the layout and the quantity.
What is flash cove flooring?
Flash cove, or integral cove, is sheet flooring turned up the wall to form a seamless base, usually 4 or 6 inches high. It needs a fillet or cove former at the floor-wall joint and a cap strip at the top.
How do you estimate heat-weld rod?
Measure the length of every seam plus cove corners and joints that are welded. Weld rod is listed in linear feet by color and converted to the manufacturer's coil length.
Is linoleum estimated differently from vinyl?
The method is similar, a roll layout plus cove and seams, but linoleum roll widths, pattern direction rules and seam treatment differ by manufacturer, so the product data must be checked.
What is the difference between sheet vinyl and linoleum?
Sheet vinyl is made from PVC. Linoleum, including marmoleum, is made from natural materials such as linseed oil, wood flour and jute. Both are installed in rolls with seams, and both can be heat-welded and coved.
How much material does integral cove add?
Each linear foot of wall with 4" cove adds about 0.33 SF of sheet material, and 6" cove adds about 0.5 SF, before cutting waste. Corners and the cove former are counted separately.
Need this takeoff done for your next bid?
Send your plans and specs. Most CFE takeoffs are completed within 24–48 business hours of receiving complete documents.
Written by
Cristian Valcu – Founder & CEO, Commercial Flooring Estimating LLC
Cristian Valcu is a U.S.-based commercial flooring estimator with over 20 years of experience estimating with Callidus software in the commercial flooring industry. He is an expert in reading and interpreting floor plans, specifications and project-related information, and in producing full takeoff reports with quality material takeoffs based on all available bid documents.
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