Upholstery · Business
CoverCalc
Enter measurements, calculate yardage, then scroll down for guides when you need them.
Reference & guides
Everything below is optional reading. Use the calculator above for day-to-day quoting — come back here when you need project-type details, material defaults, or shop workflow tips.
Quick workflow
1 · Measure
Pick home or marine, choose the piece type, and enter dimensions (or upload a photo for an AI starting point).
2 · Material
Select a fabric profile or set width and price manually. Adjust waste if pattern matching or vinyl.
3 · Quote
Add labor hours, foam, hardware, markup, and tax to build a customer-facing total.
4 · Output
Print the cut sheet for the floor, copy the quote for the customer, or save the job to reload later.
Home project types
- Box cushion — two plates + boxing strip; standard seat or bench.
- Throw pillow — front and back panels.
- Chair seat — dining or side chair top + bottom.
- Ottoman / bench — top plates + side boxing.
- Headboard — single flat panel.
- Slip cover — main panel + skirt drop.
- Custom panel — one rectangular cut for odd jobs.
Marine project types
- Boat seat cushion — standard box cushion for helm or bench seats.
- Hinged seat — seat cushion plus separate back panel.
- L-bench — two cushion legs with separate boxing each.
- Bolster — cylindrical pillow (rolled rectangle layout).
- V-berth — true tapered geometry with split head/foot half plates.
- Bimini / enclosure panel — flat rectangular panel.
- Enclosure w/ window — full panel; cutout noted on cut list, not extra yardage.
- T-top boot — top panel + side drop skirt.
- Console cover — wrap-style flat panels.
- Back-to-back — paired seats on one top plate.
Material profiles
| Profile | Width | Notes |
|---|
| Sunbrella Marine | 46″ | Default for marine; extra waste buffer applied. |
| Marine vinyl | 54″ | Higher waste — stretch and compound curves. |
| Phifertex mesh | 54″ | Bimini and breathability jobs; generous waste. |
| Enclosure panel | 60″ | Strataglass / clear panel width reference. |
| Custom | You set | Override width and price for any vendor roll. |
Shop quote fields
- Fabric cost — calculated from yards × price per yard (shown in results).
- Labor — hours × your shop rate.
- Foam / materials — foam blocks, batting, spray adhesive, etc.
- Hardware / misc — zippers, piping cord, grommets, drain holes.
- Markup — applied to subtotal before tax (default 20%).
- Tax — optional; applied to marked-up total.
Seams, waste & layout
- Seam allowance and foam oversize are added to each cut automatically.
- Waste buffer (5–15%) is added on top of the layout length — use 15% for patterns, vinyl, or beginners.
- Directional fabric keeps nap running up the roll; railroaded runs across the roll width.
- The cut layout canvas shows how pieces pack on your roll width — not a CAD pattern.
Marine shop tips
- Mock up V-berths and hinged seats in muslin before cutting Sunbrella or vinyl.
- Add drain grommets on outdoor seat bottoms — noted in supplies when marine is selected.
- Photo AI estimates are a starting point only; always confirm with a tape measure.
- Saved jobs stay in this browser (localStorage) — up to 25 recent jobs.
Disclaimer
CoverCalc produces estimates for quoting and planning — not guaranteed yardage. Pattern matching, fabric flaws, and complex shapes may require additional material. Always verify cuts against your mock-up and supplier roll width before ordering. Customer quotes are your responsibility; adjust markup, labor, and tax to match your shop policies.