House Wrap Seam Tape Calculator
Estimate house-wrap seam tape from building perimeter, wall height, wrap width, course overlap, roll-end spacing, opening perimeter and penetration details.
Default project preview
1 cartons
Wrap courses
1
Horizontal lap seams
0 ft
Vertical roll-end seams
18 ft
Openings and penetrations
314 ft
Calculator
Build the material order
Your order will appear here
Enter the project details and calculate a rounded material estimate.
Input and output guide
What each value means
The labels and units below are part of this calculator’s visible methodology. Replace every default with measurements or product data from the actual project.
Total wrapped building perimeter
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 180 ft.
Average wrapped wall height
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 9 ft.
House-wrap roll width
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 9 ft.
Horizontal course overlap
Enter this project assumption in in. The current imperial default is 6 in.
Average uninterrupted wrap run
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 75 ft.
Window and door perimeter taped
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 260 ft. Minimum: 0.
Small penetrations
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 18. Minimum: 0.
Tape per penetration
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 3 ft. Minimum: 0.
Corners, repairs and handling allowance
Enter this project assumption in %. The current imperial default is 12 %. Minimum: 0. Maximum: 50.
Tape length per roll
Enter this project assumption in ft. The current imperial default is 165 ft.
Tape rolls per carton
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 12.
Price per carton
Enter this project assumption in a unitless value. The current imperial default is 285. Minimum: 0.
How to read the outputs
Wrap courses
8.5 ft effective course width. Default preview: 1.
Horizontal lap seams
between stacked wrap courses. Default preview: 0 ft.
Vertical roll-end seams
2 modeled joints per course. Default preview: 18 ft.
Openings and penetrations
entered perimeter and penetration tape. Default preview: 314 ft.
Purchased tape length
12 full rolls. Default preview: 1,980 ft.
Tape cost
full cartons only. Default preview: $285.00.
Methodology
Transparent calculation
BuildMeter converts every input to a consistent internal unit, applies the selected allowance, and rounds products up to whole purchasable units.
Tape length = horizontal course seams + roll-end seams + opening perimeter + penetration tape. Add the allowance, round to full tape rolls, then to full cartons.
Reviewed project guidance
How to use this estimate in a real project
Last reviewed: July 30, 2026
Use this calculator to estimate seam-tape length and roll quantity. It supports measurement, purchasing and preliminary budgeting, but it does not select assemblies, products, code details or installation methods for the project.
Calculation steps
- 1Measure each project section separately and keep every input in one unit system.
- 2Enter the verified values for sheet seams, openings, corners and roll length.
- 3Review the raw measured result before applying waste, overlap, labor or price assumptions.
- 4Apply one documented allowance, then divide by the exact package yield or stock length and round up only at the purchasing stage.
Worked numerical example
If a wall layout produces 180 ft of vertical and horizontal house-wrap seams and a tape roll contains 165 ft, two rolls are required before window and repair detailing.
Purchasing and rounding
Total the seams that the weather-resistive-barrier manufacturer requires to be taped, then add window/door patches and repair tape separately. Divide by the roll's actual length and round up; do not assume every house-wrap system requires identical seam treatment or tape width.
Interpret the result
The result estimates tape length and roll count for the entered seams. It is not house-wrap area: openings, flashing transitions and damaged membrane create additional tape demand that should be counted from the actual detailing plan.
Page-specific assumptions
- Dimensions represent the actual installation area or run.
- One product size, package yield and installation condition are used per calculation.
- Allowances are added once and are not already embedded in the measurements.
- Structural, moisture, fire, energy and code requirements are verified separately.
Common mistakes
- Estimating from nominal dimensions instead of field measurements.
- Using package coverage from a different product or installation method.
- Applying waste in both the input dimensions and the allowance field.
- Treating a quantity or cost estimate as approval of the assembly or installation detail.
Primary and technical references
BuildMeter provides planning estimates, not engineering, architectural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, permit or code approval. Review the methodology and verify final decisions with product documentation and qualified professionals.
BuildMeter Guides
Understand the measurements and assumptions
Use these visible reference guides before changing project inputs or planning allowances.
FAQ
House Wrap Seam Tape Calculator questions
Is every house-wrap overlap taped?+
Requirements vary by product, exposure and whether the wrap is part of the air barrier. Follow the selected manufacturer system.
Why estimate roll-end seams separately?+
Horizontal installation creates vertical joints wherever a roll ends. Short wall runs or many corners can increase those joints.
Does this replace window-flashing tape quantities?+
No. Opening perimeter is a planning input; sill pans, corner patches and layered jamb and head flashing may require additional material.