Estimating Doors & Windows

NOTE-- In 2000 we retired MacNail and replaced it with Goldenseal project estimating software. There are still die-hard MacNail users, so we keep its manuals available online. Goldenseal also includes accounting, job costing and project management. It has a Doors & Window dimensions button, where you can enter basic quantities for those items.

Door and Window Counts

Type the total number of doors, windows and skylights that you will work on into the MacNail construction estimating software. Always include new doors, windows or skylights. Include existing doors or windows if they are being worked on in any way--even if they are just being repaired, trimmed or painted.

Eave Height

Type the distance from the top floor ceiling to the lowest place where the exterior walls meet the roofthe MacNail construction estimator software. For most buildings, this spot will be right under the eaves.

Many buildings will have an eave height of zero--since the roof trusses rest on the top of the wall plate, and the exterior wall ends right at the same place as the top floor ceiling.

If the exterior walls end below the top floor ceiling (as in this drawing), type in a negative number. If they end above the top floor ceiling, type in a positive number.

NOTE: For buildings with a sloped or other unusual ceiling, use the distance from average ceiling height to the point where the wall meets the roof at the eaves (see page 187).