Published 12 March 2026 · 5 min read
Norwegian Standard measurements in 3D scanning – what does it mean in practice?
Written by Wenn Property
When you calculate wall area for a painting job – do you subtract the windows or not? Do you count skirting boards as part of the wall surface, or separately? Is the floor area measured to the wall surface or to the baseboard?
The answer depends on who you ask. And that’s precisely the problem.
Norwegian Standard exists to give everyone the same answer. Wenn Property now calculates all areas and lengths according to these rules – automatically, without you having to think about it.
Gross vs net: the most important distinction
Gross wall area is the entire wall surface, including the area where windows and doors are located. This is the number you need for ordering wallpaper, or for knowing how much total wall surface exists.
Net wall area is the wall surface minus windows and doors. This is the number you need for calculating paint, plastering, or tiling work – the actual surface you’ll be working on.
The difference can be significant. In a room with large windows, net wall area can be 30–40% lower than gross. If you estimate materials based on gross, you’ll order too much. If you get it wrong the other way, you’ll order too little.
Wenn Property shows both numbers – per wall and per room – so you use the right figure for the right purpose.
Floor area and skirting lengths
Floor area is calculated from interior dimensions – the surface you can actually use, not including the walls. This is the relevant number for flooring, tiles, or underfloor heating.
Skirting lengths are calculated as the total length along the floor-wall junction, with deductions for doors and openings. This is the number you need for ordering skirting boards.
Again: Wenn Property calculates this automatically from the 3D model. No need to walk around with a measuring tape adding things up.
Why standardised measurements matter for your quotes
When you create a quote based on your own measurements and your own calculation methods, it’s difficult for the client to compare with other quotes. Did the other tradesperson measure the same way? Did they use gross or net?
With standardised measurements, the baseline is the same. That makes your quote more credible, and it reduces the risk of disputes afterwards about what was included.
For property managers and valuers, this is even more important. They need numbers that are verifiable and consistent across properties and over time. Standardised measurements make that possible.
What Wenn Property calculates automatically
After a 3D scan, you get these measurements per room, calculated according to Norwegian Standard:
- Gross wall area (incl. windows and doors)
- Net wall area (excl. windows and doors)
- Floor area (interior dimensions)
- Ceiling height
- Skirting lengths (with deductions for openings)
- Number and size of windows and doors
Everything is available in the web app, in the PDF report, and as Excel or CSV export.
You don’t need to know the rules
The point of Wenn Property following Norwegian Standard is not that you should have to read the standard. It’s that you shouldn’t have to. The numbers are correct from the start, calculated consistently every time, and ready to use in your quote or report.