{"id":9878,"date":"2023-03-07T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-03-07T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/?p=9878"},"modified":"2025-02-25T08:05:15","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T07:05:15","slug":"calculate-gross-living-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Gross Living Area (GLA) and How Do You Calculate It?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"t2-ingress has-text-align-center wp-block-t2-ingress\">Knowing how to calculate the Gross Living Area (GLA) of a property is an important part of creating the appraisal report and estimating the value of a home. This article walks you through the steps on how to calculate GLA with confidence.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category has-text-align-center wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Blog<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/floor-plans\/\" rel=\"tag\">Floor Plans<\/a><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"aligncenter wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092914\/calculate-gross-living-area.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Calculate gross living area (GLA) 2D floor plan\" style=\"object-fit:cover;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092914\/calculate-gross-living-area.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092914\/calculate-gross-living-area-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092914\/calculate-gross-living-area-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092914\/calculate-gross-living-area-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-t2-byline\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/23132408\/tony-gillen.jpg\" alt=\"Tony Gillen\" \/>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"has-clean-links\">\n\t\t\t\t<span>By<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/author\/tony\/\" class=\"byline--author-link\">Tony Gillen<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"byline--post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"byline--post-date\">Published March 07, 2023<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"byline--post-updated\">Updated February 25, 2025<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<span class=\"byline--images-by\">Images by Celine Polden<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Gross Living Area (GLA)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Real estate is measured after local regulations worldwide. In the US, Gross Living Area (GLA) is defined by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.appraisalinstitute.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Appraisal Institute<\/a>\u2019s Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal, 7th Ed., as the total area of finished, above-grade (above the ground) residential space. It is calculated by measuring the outside perimeter of the structure and includes only finished, habitable, above-grade living space. Finished basements and attic areas are not generally included in the GLA total. However, local practices differ on this.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>GLA is a critical part of the valuation of a home or property. It is not the same as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/total-living-area-tla\/\">total living area (TLA)<\/a>. Although the Appraisal Institute does not strictly define TLA, it is typically taken to include any finished basement space, livable attic areas, and even unattached accessory dwelling units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is it Important to Know the Exact GLA of a Home?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The livable, above-ground space in a residential property is the part of the home that commands the greatest price. The valuation of the property is often a direct result of how much of the property\u2019s space has this condition and will, in turn, directly impact insurance costs and value and, ultimately sales price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because of this, it\u2019s important that the appraiser include every valid area in a GLA calculation so that the property achieves its rightful sales price, the mortgage lender knows the correct value, and the property is properly insured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092921\/gross-living-area-gla.jpg\" alt=\"Gross Living Area GLA\" class=\"wp-image-9918\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092921\/gross-living-area-gla.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092921\/gross-living-area-gla-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092921\/gross-living-area-gla-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092921\/gross-living-area-gla-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is Gross Living Area Measured and Calculated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Historically, GLA has been open to interpretation in how it was calculated, with appraisers, remodelers, and the like using different definitions and calculations. In the United States, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recently introduced<a href=\"https:\/\/singlefamily.fanniemae.com\/media\/30266\/display\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> ANSI Z765-2021<\/a> to document common standards for appraisers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some organizations, such as Fannie Mae, a leading source of mortgage financing in the United States, now require appraisers to use these standards and provide<a href=\"https:\/\/singlefamily.fanniemae.com\/media\/30266\/display\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> a helpful overview document<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The ANSI home measurement standard has a few key elements:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It applies to single-family housing. It doesn\u2019t apply to apartments, condos, or commercial property.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It defines Gross Living Area (GLA) and what to include or exclude from the calculation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Measurements are noted to the nearest inch or tenth of a foot and reported on a sketch or floor plan of the property. The final square footage calculation is to be reported to the nearest whole square foot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Included in the GLA Calculation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For a space to be included as GLA, it must adhere to these six criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>It must be finished<\/strong>. It must contain walls, floors, and ceilings, finished with standard materials such as carpet, drywall, etc.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It must be above ground.<\/strong> Even a space just 2 ft below ground counts as basement space and is omitted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It has to be enclosed<\/strong>. It must have four walls.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It needs to be contiguous<\/strong>. It must be connected to the rest of the Gross Living Area.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It must be conventionally heated<\/strong>, using forced air, solar, radiant heating, etc. (space heaters do not count)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It must be permitted<\/strong>. The local city or county building department must have permitted the area.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>If an area meets all these elements, include it in the GLA. Note that the external walls for included areas are part of the measurement. A space is <em>excluded <\/em>from the GLA if any of the above criteria are unmet. Instead, it can be noted as a separate line item in the report and included as part of the TLA.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are Non-GLA Areas in a Property?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the GLA is the total of the above-ground residential space of contiguous, finished areas, it is important to understand which areas of a property are not included in the GLA calculation. These areas are, however, often included in the calculation of TLA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples of areas that are not included in the GLA calculation are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Unfinished garages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Below-grade (below ground level) rooms such as basements. This includes walk-out basements - ones with direct access to the outside - typically found in a home built on a slope.&nbsp; Instead, list them in the TLA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finished outbuildings or structures not connected to the main building, such as cottages or Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). Instead, list them in the TLA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finished areas that are only connected to the main living space by an unfinished area - in other words, they are not connected by a finished and heated corridor or staircase. For example, a guest suite attached to the main home via an unfinished garage. Instead, list them in the TLA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finished living spaces where more than half of the ceiling area is less than 7-foot-high.&nbsp; If the ceiling slopes (such as in an attic), any area with less than a 5-foot ceiling height must be excluded from the GLA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Covered or uncovered patios and decks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Porches that are not enclosed, or if enclosed, are not suitable for year-round use. These are often called three-season rooms.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Openings in a level that look down to the floor below, such as a vestibule or foyer.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Bump-outs that do not have a floor. For example, a cantilevered window-seat bump-out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A fireplace is excluded if it is surrounded on three sides by external walls.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A room that was constructed or remodeled without an appropriate permit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23134307\/gla-exclusions.jpg\" alt=\"GLA exclusions\" class=\"wp-image-9921\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23134307\/gla-exclusions.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23134307\/gla-exclusions-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23134307\/gla-exclusions-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23134307\/gla-exclusions-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 Practical Tips on How to Measure GLA On-Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Start with a walkaround<\/strong> - Walk around the outside of the home or property to get an idea of the shape of the property.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sketch on paper or tablet<\/strong> - Make a quick sketch of the property shape on paper or create a digital sketch using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/floor-plans\/floor-plan-software\/\">floor plan software<\/a> on your tablet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Start measuring<\/strong> - work your way from corner to corner and use a tape measure, roto wheel, or a laser to get the correct measurements. Round your measurements to the nearest inch or the nearest 1\/10th of a foot so you comply with the ANSI standard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Head inside<\/strong> - Make sure to go inside the property and measure any areas that don\u2019t meet GLA standards. These areas should be listed as TLA.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Do the math<\/strong> - Add together all the areas that comply with GLA requirements - this is the GLA. Then add up the areas that are non-GLA, and add these to your GLA area, which gives you your TLA.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092921\/measure-gla-on-site.jpg\" alt=\"Measure GLA on-site\" class=\"wp-image-9919\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092921\/measure-gla-on-site.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092921\/measure-gla-on-site-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092921\/measure-gla-on-site-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092921\/measure-gla-on-site-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bonus Tip! Use Software to Double-Check Your Calculation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Make a professional floor plan sketch complete with measurements and annotations, and add this as part of your appraisal report. This gives complete transparency on how you came to your calculation and gives you the confidence you have arrived at the right number. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pick floor plan software like RoomSketcher, as here you get an in-built total area calculator that you can use to double-check your measurements. If everything matches up, then great! If not, check that you've entered the same measurements into RoomSketcher as in your manual calculations, and review your manual calculations for any errors or oversights.<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"t2-link-list has-1-items has-auto-columns wp-block-t2-link-list\">\n\t<li class=\"t2-link-list-item wp-block-t2-link-list-item\">\n\t\t<a\n\t\t\thref=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/real-estate\/appraisers\/\"\n\t\t\tclass=\"t2-link-list-item__link t2-link-list__icon--left\"\n\t\t\trel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\t\t>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-link-list-item__icon\"><span class=\"t2-link-list-item__icon-box\"><\/span><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-rs_external\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path stroke=\"#007B8C\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M7.59822 7.37346H16.4764M16.3764 6.37346V16.1516M16.3764 7.37346L6.12334 17.6265\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\t\t\t<div class=\"t2-link-list-item__content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<span id=\"link-list-item-text\" class=\"t2-link-list-item__text\">\n\t\t\t\t\tLearn more about how appraisers use RoomSketcher\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/li>\n\t\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GLA vs. Total Living Area (TLA)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While GLA is the finished, connected, above-ground space in a residential property, Total Living Area (TLA) typically includes below-ground finished space and non-connected (or non-contiguous) space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Total Living Area includes, for example, finished basement space and separate finished buildings such as cottages and accessory dwelling units. Additionally, heated, finished attic spaces would be included as long as more than half the area has a ceiling height of seven feet or more. In the case of a slanted ceiling in the attic, only the area with a height of five feet or more is counted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you use floor plan software like RoomSketcher to draw your professional floor plan, you can set up any space to exclude, so the automatic calculation doesn\u2019t include this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092919\/gla-vs-tla.jpg\" alt=\"Gross living area versus total living area\" class=\"wp-image-9916\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092919\/gla-vs-tla.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092919\/gla-vs-tla-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092919\/gla-vs-tla-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092919\/gla-vs-tla-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GLA vs. Gross Building Area (GBA)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whilst GLA is the standard for single-family homes, multi-family residential properties with two to four units are often measured using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/gross-building-area-gba\/\">Gross Building Area<\/a> (GBA). Both GLA and GBA calculate the finished areas of a building. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main difference is that below-grade living space is included in the Gross Building Area. Like GLA, GBA includes finished hallways, storage rooms, laundry rooms, and interior stairways. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092917\/gla-vs-gba.jpg\" alt=\"Gross living area versus gross building area\" class=\"wp-image-9914\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092917\/gla-vs-gba.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092917\/gla-vs-gba-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092917\/gla-vs-gba-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092917\/gla-vs-gba-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GLA vs. Gross Internal Area (GIA)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gross Internal Area (GIA) is often used for commercial buildings. The Gross Internal area (GIA) is the entire enclosed internal floor space, measured to the inside<em> <\/em>face of the exterior walls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This measurement can give commercial building leases an idea of the usable interior floor area. The measurement includes any space used by internal walls or partitions, as well as hallways, restrooms, and storage rooms. It may also include garages and basements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/19090009\/GLA-vs-GIA.jpg\" alt=\"GLA versus GIA\" class=\"wp-image-11721\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/19090009\/GLA-vs-GIA.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/19090009\/GLA-vs-GIA-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/19090009\/GLA-vs-GIA-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/19090009\/GLA-vs-GIA-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GLA vs. Total Square Footage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no \u201cofficial\u201d definition of total square footage. Rather total square footage is used to describe the square footage of a specified area. You could, for example, report the total square footage of the garage, which would not indicate whether the garage was finished or contiguous with the home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The GLA only includes above-grade, finished, contiguous areas of a home whilst the total square footage includes other areas (that may not be living spaces) as long as they have walls, ceilings, and floors.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Total Square Footage can include garages, workshops, unfinished storage areas, porches, patios - any area under the main roof, as well as detached structures like separate garages, guest suites, or cabanas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092920\/gla-vs-total-square-footage.jpg\" alt=\"Gross living area versus total square footage\" class=\"wp-image-9917\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092920\/gla-vs-total-square-footage.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092920\/gla-vs-total-square-footage-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092920\/gla-vs-total-square-footage-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092920\/gla-vs-total-square-footage-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">GLA vs. TLA vs. GBA vs. GIA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Still confused? Check out this handy table to give you a quick reference as to what is what:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"850\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092917\/gla-tla-gba-gia-total-square-footage.jpg\" alt=\"GLA vs TLA vs GBA vs GIA vs total square footage\" class=\"wp-image-9913\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092917\/gla-tla-gba-gia-total-square-footage.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092917\/gla-tla-gba-gia-total-square-footage-282x300.jpg 282w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092917\/gla-tla-gba-gia-total-square-footage-141x150.jpg 141w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092917\/gla-tla-gba-gia-total-square-footage-768x816.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"t2-accordion t2-faq wp-block-t2-faq\" role=\"list\">\n\n\t\t<div class=\"t2-faq-item t2-faq-item-post t2-accordion-item wp-block-t2-faq-item-post\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"t2-faq-title t2-accordion-title\" id=\"are-external-walls-included-in-the-gla-calculation?\">\n\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"faq-panel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-trigger t2-accordion-trigger\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-item\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\tAre external walls included in the GLA calculation?\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-closed-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevrondown\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 14.9c-.1 0-.3 0-.4-.1-.1 0-.2-.1-.3-.2L6.7 10c-.2-.1-.3-.4-.3-.6 0-.3.1-.5.3-.7.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3s.5.1.7.3l3.9 3.9 3.9-3.9c.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3.3 0 .5.1.7.3.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7l-4.6 4.6c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2H12z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-open-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevronup\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.7 14.7c-.2-.2-.3-.4-.3-.7s.1-.5.3-.7l4.6-4.6c.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.1 0 .2-.1.4-.1.1 0 .3 0 .4.1.1 0 .2.1.3.2l4.6 4.6c.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3L12 10.8l-3.9 3.9c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"faq-item\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-item__inner-container t2-accordion-item__inner-container is-layout-flow\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-panel\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\thidden\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Mostly. A GLA calculation includes the external walls for the rooms, areas, and staircase, which meet the GLA standard, so only the exterior walls of those areas are included.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"t2-faq-item t2-faq-item-post t2-accordion-item wp-block-t2-faq-item-post\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"t2-faq-title t2-accordion-title\" id=\"is-a-garage-included-in-the-gross-living-area?\">\n\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"faq-panel-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-trigger t2-accordion-trigger\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-item-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\tIs a garage included in the Gross Living Area?\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-closed-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevrondown\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 14.9c-.1 0-.3 0-.4-.1-.1 0-.2-.1-.3-.2L6.7 10c-.2-.1-.3-.4-.3-.6 0-.3.1-.5.3-.7.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3s.5.1.7.3l3.9 3.9 3.9-3.9c.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3.3 0 .5.1.7.3.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7l-4.6 4.6c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2H12z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-open-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevronup\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.7 14.7c-.2-.2-.3-.4-.3-.7s.1-.5.3-.7l4.6-4.6c.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.1 0 .2-.1.4-.1.1 0 .3 0 .4.1.1 0 .2.1.3.2l4.6 4.6c.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3L12 10.8l-3.9 3.9c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"faq-item-1\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-item__inner-container t2-accordion-item__inner-container is-layout-flow\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-panel-1\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\thidden\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>No, unless it has been permitted and converted into an above-grade, contiguous, finished, heated, livable space.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"t2-faq-item t2-faq-item-post t2-accordion-item wp-block-t2-faq-item-post\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"t2-faq-title t2-accordion-title\" id=\"are-closets-included-in-gross-living-area?\">\n\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"faq-panel-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-trigger t2-accordion-trigger\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-item-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\tAre closets included in Gross Living Area?\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-closed-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevrondown\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 14.9c-.1 0-.3 0-.4-.1-.1 0-.2-.1-.3-.2L6.7 10c-.2-.1-.3-.4-.3-.6 0-.3.1-.5.3-.7.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3s.5.1.7.3l3.9 3.9 3.9-3.9c.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3.3 0 .5.1.7.3.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7l-4.6 4.6c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2H12z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-open-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevronup\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.7 14.7c-.2-.2-.3-.4-.3-.7s.1-.5.3-.7l4.6-4.6c.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.1 0 .2-.1.4-.1.1 0 .3 0 .4.1.1 0 .2.1.3.2l4.6 4.6c.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3L12 10.8l-3.9 3.9c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"faq-item-2\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-item__inner-container t2-accordion-item__inner-container is-layout-flow\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-panel-2\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\thidden\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Generally, yes, if they meet the height requirements.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"t2-faq-item t2-faq-item-post t2-accordion-item wp-block-t2-faq-item-post\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"t2-faq-title t2-accordion-title\" id=\"are-stairs-included-or-excluded-in-gla?\">\n\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"faq-panel-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-trigger t2-accordion-trigger\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-item-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\tAre stairs included or excluded in GLA?\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-closed-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevrondown\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 14.9c-.1 0-.3 0-.4-.1-.1 0-.2-.1-.3-.2L6.7 10c-.2-.1-.3-.4-.3-.6 0-.3.1-.5.3-.7.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3s.5.1.7.3l3.9 3.9 3.9-3.9c.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3.3 0 .5.1.7.3.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7l-4.6 4.6c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2H12z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-open-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevronup\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.7 14.7c-.2-.2-.3-.4-.3-.7s.1-.5.3-.7l4.6-4.6c.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.1 0 .2-.1.4-.1.1 0 .3 0 .4.1.1 0 .2.1.3.2l4.6 4.6c.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3L12 10.8l-3.9 3.9c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"faq-item-3\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-item__inner-container t2-accordion-item__inner-container is-layout-flow\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-panel-3\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\thidden\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The stair treads and landing areas are considered part of the room from which they descend, so if that room is considered part of GLA, so is the stair area. If the stair opening is larger than the stairs, then only the stairs (treads and landings) are included in the GLA for the floor from which the stairs descend.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"t2-faq-item t2-faq-item-post t2-accordion-item wp-block-t2-faq-item-post\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"t2-faq-title t2-accordion-title\" id=\"how-do-you-calculate-stairs-in-gross-living-area?\">\n\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"faq-panel-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-trigger t2-accordion-trigger\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-item-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\tHow do you calculate stairs in Gross Living Area?\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-closed-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevrondown\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 14.9c-.1 0-.3 0-.4-.1-.1 0-.2-.1-.3-.2L6.7 10c-.2-.1-.3-.4-.3-.6 0-.3.1-.5.3-.7.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3s.5.1.7.3l3.9 3.9 3.9-3.9c.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3.3 0 .5.1.7.3.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7l-4.6 4.6c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2H12z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-open-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevronup\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.7 14.7c-.2-.2-.3-.4-.3-.7s.1-.5.3-.7l4.6-4.6c.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.1 0 .2-.1.4-.1.1 0 .3 0 .4.1.1 0 .2.1.3.2l4.6 4.6c.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3L12 10.8l-3.9 3.9c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"faq-item-4\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-item__inner-container t2-accordion-item__inner-container is-layout-flow\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-panel-4\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\thidden\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The stair tread and landings are included in the Gross Living Area for the level from which they descend. For example, stairs descending from a 2nd level to the ground floor are counted in the GLA of the 2nd level. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Any area beneath the staircase is included in the square footage of the floor to which the stairs descend. So the area beneath the staircase in our example is included in the GLA for the ground floor.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Note that if the opening to a stairwell is the same size as the stairs, then the entire opening is part of the GLA for the floor from which the stairs descend. If the opening is wider than the stairwell, then include only the area equal to the size of the stairs (in the GLA for the floor from which the stairs descend).<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"t2-faq-item t2-faq-item-post t2-accordion-item wp-block-t2-faq-item-post\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"t2-faq-title t2-accordion-title\" id=\"are-fireplaces-included-or-excluded-in-the-gla?\">\n\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"faq-panel-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-trigger t2-accordion-trigger\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-item-5\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\tAre fireplaces included or excluded in the GLA?\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-closed-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevrondown\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 14.9c-.1 0-.3 0-.4-.1-.1 0-.2-.1-.3-.2L6.7 10c-.2-.1-.3-.4-.3-.6 0-.3.1-.5.3-.7.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3s.5.1.7.3l3.9 3.9 3.9-3.9c.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3.3 0 .5.1.7.3.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7l-4.6 4.6c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2H12z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-open-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevronup\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.7 14.7c-.2-.2-.3-.4-.3-.7s.1-.5.3-.7l4.6-4.6c.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.1 0 .2-.1.4-.1.1 0 .3 0 .4.1.1 0 .2.1.3.2l4.6 4.6c.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3L12 10.8l-3.9 3.9c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"faq-item-5\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-item__inner-container t2-accordion-item__inner-container is-layout-flow\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-panel-5\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\thidden\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If a fireplace is surrounded on three sides by external walls, it is not part of GLA.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\t\t<div class=\"t2-faq-item t2-faq-item-post t2-accordion-item wp-block-t2-faq-item-post\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"t2-faq-title t2-accordion-title\" id=\"is-the-attic-included-in-the-gla?\">\n\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"faq-panel-6\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-trigger t2-accordion-trigger\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-item-6\"\n\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\tIs the attic included in the GLA?\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-closed-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevrondown\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12 14.9c-.1 0-.3 0-.4-.1-.1 0-.2-.1-.3-.2L6.7 10c-.2-.1-.3-.4-.3-.6 0-.3.1-.5.3-.7.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3s.5.1.7.3l3.9 3.9 3.9-3.9c.2-.2.4-.3.7-.3.3 0 .5.1.7.3.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7l-4.6 4.6c-.1.1-.2.2-.3.2H12z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"t2-faq-icon t2-accordion-icon is-open-icon\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-chevronup\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M6.7 14.7c-.2-.2-.3-.4-.3-.7s.1-.5.3-.7l4.6-4.6c.1-.1.2-.2.3-.2.1 0 .2-.1.4-.1.1 0 .3 0 .4.1.1 0 .2.1.3.2l4.6 4.6c.2.2.3.4.3.7s-.1.5-.3.7c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3L12 10.8l-3.9 3.9c-.2.2-.4.3-.7.3s-.5-.1-.7-.3z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\t\taria-labelledby=\"faq-item-6\"\n\t\t\t\tclass=\"t2-faq-item__inner-container t2-accordion-item__inner-container is-layout-flow\"\n\t\t\t\tid=\"faq-panel-6\"\n\t\t\t\trole=\"region\"\n\t\t\t\thidden\n\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Finished attics are common in many areas. According to the definition of GLA from the Appraisal Institute, attics are not generally included in the GLA. However, local practices on this differ. In many areas, an attic\u2019s area can be included in the GLA as long as it is heated and finished. <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If there is a sloped ceiling in the attic, then the ANSI Z765-2021 standard states that you can only include the floor area where the ceiling measures five feet up. Furthermore, at least one-half of the finished floor area must have seven feet of ceiling height.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take Your Appraisals to the Next Level<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Appraising is an important job requiring accuracy and attention to detail. There are generally recognized measurement guidelines depending on the area in which you live. Some of the guidelines now require computer-generated sketches for appraisal reports.&nbsp; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want an easy way to turn your hand-drawn sketches into professional floor plans, check out RoomSketcher. If you want to discuss our services or ask questions about Gross Living Area calculations, please <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">contact us<\/a>; we would love to help you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-cta\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/contact\/\">Contact Us<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-primary-50-background-color has-primary-50-color\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><meta charset=\"utf-8\">Don't forget to share this post!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links has-huge-icon-size is-layout-flex wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-facebook  wp-block-social-link\"><a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/share.php\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\" aria-label=\"icon-facebook\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M17.8429 4H6.15714C4 4 4 4 4 6.15714V17.8429C4 19.9951 4 19.9951 6.15714 19.9951H11.9193L11.9291 14.277H10.4421C10.2513 14.277 10.0948 14.1204 10.0899 13.9297L10.085 12.0856C10.085 11.8899 10.2415 11.7334 10.4372 11.7334H11.9193V9.95292C11.9193 7.88872 13.1813 6.76368 15.0254 6.76368H16.5368C16.7325 6.76368 16.889 6.92021 16.889 7.11587V8.67135C16.889 8.86701 16.7325 9.02354 16.5368 9.02354H15.6075C14.6047 9.02354 14.409 9.49801 14.409 10.1975V11.7383H16.6102C16.8205 11.7383 16.982 11.9193 16.9575 12.1296L16.7374 13.9737C16.7178 14.1498 16.5662 14.2819 16.3901 14.2819H14.4139V19.9951H17.8429C20 19.9951 20 19.9951 20 17.838V6.15714C20 4 20 4 17.8429 4Z\" \/><\/svg><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-linkedin  wp-block-social-link\"><a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/shareArticle\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\" aria-label=\"icon-linkedin\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-linkedin\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M7.29393 19.0124V8.20869H3.70045V19.0124H7.29393ZM5.49719 6.73313C6.74932 6.73313 7.52667 5.90458 7.52667 4.86656C7.5034 3.80528 6.74932 3 5.52046 3C4.2916 3 3.48633 3.80528 3.48633 4.86656C3.48633 5.90458 4.26367 6.73313 5.46926 6.73313H5.49719ZM9.28152 19.0124H12.875V12.9798C12.875 12.6586 12.8983 12.3328 12.9914 12.1047C13.252 11.4577 13.8432 10.7921 14.8347 10.7921C16.1333 10.7921 16.6547 11.7836 16.6547 13.2358V19.0171H20.2482V12.8169C20.2482 9.49806 18.4747 7.95268 16.1147 7.95268C14.1783 7.95268 13.3265 9.03724 12.8517 9.77269H12.875V8.20403H9.28152C9.32807 9.22343 9.28152 19.0124 9.28152 19.0124Z\" \/><\/svg><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-pinterest  wp-block-social-link\"><a rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/no.pinterest.com\/roomsketcher\/_created\/\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\" aria-label=\"icon-pinterest\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\" class=\"t2-icon t2-icon-pinterest\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M11.9896 4.00002C10.155 4.00086 8.37655 4.63329 6.9527 5.79118C5.52885 6.94906 4.5463 8.56191 4.16998 10.359C3.79366 12.1561 4.04646 14.0281 4.88596 15.6607C5.72546 17.2934 7.10056 18.5873 8.78045 19.3253C8.75772 18.7667 8.77637 18.0961 8.9197 17.4879C9.07351 16.8389 9.94806 13.129 9.94806 13.129C9.77443 12.7298 9.68744 12.2983 9.69286 11.863C9.69286 10.6775 10.3792 9.79228 11.2345 9.79228C11.9611 9.79228 12.3124 10.3387 12.3124 10.9929C12.3124 11.7248 11.8463 12.8187 11.6068 13.8322C11.4064 14.6807 12.0322 15.3729 12.8683 15.3729C14.3831 15.3729 15.4028 13.4264 15.4028 11.1195C15.4028 9.36601 14.2229 8.05396 12.077 8.05396C9.65208 8.05396 8.14129 9.86167 8.14129 11.8851C8.14129 12.582 8.34696 13.0736 8.66858 13.4544C8.81657 13.6293 8.83696 13.6993 8.78511 13.8999C8.74665 14.0474 8.65867 14.4019 8.62255 14.5413C8.56895 14.7442 8.40522 14.8166 8.22227 14.7419C7.10535 14.2853 6.58505 13.0613 6.58505 11.6851C6.58505 9.41091 8.50019 6.68768 12.2979 6.68768C15.3497 6.68768 17.3581 8.89833 17.3581 11.2705C17.3581 14.4089 15.6148 16.752 13.0466 16.752C12.1837 16.752 11.372 16.2855 11.0935 15.7548C11.0935 15.7548 10.6274 17.5981 10.5313 17.9538C10.3617 18.5708 10.0302 19.1871 9.72666 19.6676C10.8267 19.9953 11.9844 20.082 13.121 19.9219C14.2576 19.7617 15.3464 19.3585 16.3133 18.7396C17.2803 18.1207 18.1027 17.3006 18.7246 16.3351C19.3466 15.3697 19.7536 14.2815 19.9178 13.1446C20.082 12.0076 19.9996 10.8487 19.6763 9.74644C19.353 8.64422 18.7963 7.62461 18.044 6.75697C17.2918 5.88932 16.3617 5.19399 15.317 4.71826C14.2723 4.24253 13.1374 3.99756 11.9896 4.00002Z\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-primary-50-background-color has-primary-50-color\"\/>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide\">Recommended Reads<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"t2-featured-content-layout alignwide alignwide wp-block-t2-featured-content-layout\" role=\"list\">\n<div class=\"t2-featured-single-post t2-featured-content is-post-type-post category-blog category-floor-plans wp-block-t2-featured-single-post\" role=\"listitem\"><a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/how-to-measure-floor-area\/\">\n<figure style=\"--t2-focal-point: 50% 50%;\" class=\"t2-post-featured-image has-image-ratio-4-3 wp-block-t2-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/23122126\/how-to-measure-floor-area.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"how to measure floor area 2D floor plan measurements\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/23122126\/how-to-measure-floor-area.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/23122126\/how-to-measure-floor-area-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/23122126\/how-to-measure-floor-area-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/23122126\/how-to-measure-floor-area-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 450px, (min-width: 700px) 33.33vw, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t<a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/how-to-measure-floor-area\/\">\n\t<h2 class=\"t2-post-title wp-block-t2-post-title\">How to Measure Floor Area and Calculate Square Footage<\/h2>\n\t<\/a>\n\t<div class=\"t2-post-excerpt wp-block-t2-post-excerpt\"><p>Measure floor areas easily, quickly,\u00a0 and accurately. The correct results are essential for ordering materials for renovation projects, preparing sales and marketing materials for a property, and designing the furniture layout.<\/p><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Blog<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/floor-plans\/\" rel=\"tag\">Floor Plans<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"t2-featured-single-post t2-featured-content is-post-type-post category-blog category-floor-plans wp-block-t2-featured-single-post\" role=\"listitem\"><a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/floor-plan-cost\/\">\n<figure style=\"--t2-focal-point: 50% 50%;\" class=\"t2-post-featured-image has-image-ratio-4-3 wp-block-t2-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/25124721\/floor-plan-cost-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Floor Plan Cost Blueprint\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/25124721\/floor-plan-cost-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/25124721\/floor-plan-cost-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/25124721\/floor-plan-cost-1-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/25124721\/floor-plan-cost-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 450px, (min-width: 700px) 33.33vw, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t<a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/floor-plan-cost\/\">\n\t<h2 class=\"t2-post-title wp-block-t2-post-title\">How Much Does a Floor Plan Cost?<\/h2>\n\t<\/a>\n\t<div class=\"t2-post-excerpt wp-block-t2-post-excerpt\"><p>Wondering about floor plan cost? We help you understand price differences between floor plans from architects, draftsmen, and software.<\/p><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Blog<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/floor-plans\/\" rel=\"tag\">Floor Plans<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"t2-featured-single-post t2-featured-content is-post-type-post category-blog category-floor-plans wp-block-t2-featured-single-post\" role=\"listitem\"><a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/the-7-measurement-types-in-roomsketcher\/\">\n<figure style=\"--t2-focal-point: 50% 50%;\" class=\"t2-post-featured-image has-image-ratio-4-3 wp-block-t2-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/19120122\/roomsketcher-floor-plan-measurements.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"Diagram showing how to add measurements to a floor plan, with total area, room sizes, scale in feet and meters, and GLA, GBA, GFA labels.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/19120122\/roomsketcher-floor-plan-measurements.jpg 800w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/19120122\/roomsketcher-floor-plan-measurements-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/19120122\/roomsketcher-floor-plan-measurements-150x113.jpg 150w, https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/19120122\/roomsketcher-floor-plan-measurements-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 1200px) 450px, (min-width: 700px) 33.33vw, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n\t<a class=\"t2-post-link wp-block-t2-post-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/the-7-measurement-types-in-roomsketcher\/\">\n\t<h2 class=\"t2-post-title wp-block-t2-post-title\">The 7 Measurement Types in RoomSketcher<\/h2>\n\t<\/a>\n\t<div class=\"t2-post-excerpt wp-block-t2-post-excerpt\"><p>Did you know that RoomSketcher offers seven different types of measurements? From displaying room area to measuring the distance between items, we\u2019re here to guide you through each one step by step.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/\" rel=\"tag\">Blog<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/floor-plans\/\" rel=\"tag\">Floor Plans<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn what Gross Living Area (GLA) means, why it's important, and how to accurately calculate it for a property. Discover our expert guide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":9911,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"gross living area","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Learn what Gross Living Area (GLA) means, why it's important, and how to accurately calculate it for a property. Discover our expert guide.","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","rs_hide_title":false,"rs_breadcrumb_title":"Gross Living Area (GLA)","_custom_og_type":"","rs_images_by":"5","footnotes":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":""},"categories":[6,20],"class_list":["post-9878","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-floor-plans"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.6 (Yoast SEO v26.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is Gross Living Area (GLA) and How Do You Calculate It?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn what Gross Living Area (GLA) means, why it&#039;s important, and how to accurately calculate it for a property. Discover our expert guide.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is Gross Living Area (GLA) and How Do You Calculate It?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn what Gross Living Area (GLA) means, why it&#039;s important, and how to accurately calculate it for a property. Discover our expert guide.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"RoomSketcher\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/roomsketcher\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-03-07T08:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-25T07:05:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092914\/calculate-gross-living-area.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Tony Gillen\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Tony Gillen\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"TechArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Tony Gillen\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/#\/schema\/person\/84cd49761ec4fd206af887d48a408cd0\"},\"headline\":\"What is Gross Living Area (GLA) and How Do You Calculate It?\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-03-07T08:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-25T07:05:15+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/\"},\"wordCount\":1694,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092914\/calculate-gross-living-area.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Blog\",\"Floor Plans\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":[\"WebPage\",\"FAQPage\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/\",\"name\":\"What is Gross Living Area (GLA) and How Do You Calculate It?\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092914\/calculate-gross-living-area.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-03-07T08:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-25T07:05:15+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn what Gross Living Area (GLA) means, why it's important, and how to accurately calculate it for a property. 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A GLA calculation includes the external walls for the rooms, areas, and staircase, which meet the GLA standard, so only the exterior walls of those areas are included.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;!-- \/wp:paragraph --&gt;"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is a garage included in the Gross Living Area?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;No, unless it has been permitted and converted into an above-grade, contiguous, finished, heated, livable space.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;!-- \/wp:paragraph --&gt;"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Are closets included in Gross Living Area?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Generally, yes, if they meet the height requirements.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;!-- \/wp:paragraph --&gt;"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Are stairs included or excluded in GLA?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;The stair treads and landing areas are considered part of the room from which they descend, so if that room is considered part of GLA, so is the stair area. If the stair opening is larger than the stairs, then only the stairs (treads and landings) are included in the GLA for the floor from which the stairs descend.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;!-- \/wp:paragraph --&gt;"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How do you calculate stairs in Gross Living Area?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;The stair tread and landings are included in the Gross Living Area for the level from which they descend. For example, stairs descending from a 2nd level to the ground floor are counted in the GLA of the 2nd level. &lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;!-- \/wp:paragraph --&gt;\n\n&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Any area beneath the staircase is included in the square footage of the floor to which the stairs descend. So the area beneath the staircase in our example is included in the GLA for the ground floor.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;!-- \/wp:paragraph --&gt;\n\n&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Note that if the opening to a stairwell is the same size as the stairs, then the entire opening is part of the GLA for the floor from which the stairs descend. If the opening is wider than the stairwell, then include only the area equal to the size of the stairs (in the GLA for the floor from which the stairs descend).&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;!-- \/wp:paragraph --&gt;\n\n&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;!-- \/wp:paragraph --&gt;"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Are fireplaces included or excluded in the GLA?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;If a fireplace is surrounded on three sides by external walls, it is not part of GLA.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;!-- \/wp:paragraph --&gt;"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is the attic included in the GLA?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;Finished attics are common in many areas. According to the definition of GLA from the Appraisal Institute, attics are not generally included in the GLA. However, local practices on this differ. In many areas, an attic\u2019s area can be included in the GLA as long as it is heated and finished. &lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;!-- \/wp:paragraph --&gt;\n\n&lt;!-- wp:paragraph --&gt;\n&lt;p&gt;If there is a sloped ceiling in the attic, then the ANSI Z765-2021 standard states that you can only include the floor area where the ceiling measures five feet up. Furthermore, at least one-half of the finished floor area must have seven feet of ceiling height.&lt;\/p&gt;\n&lt;!-- \/wp:paragraph --&gt;"}}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092914\/calculate-gross-living-area.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/23092914\/calculate-gross-living-area.jpg","width":800,"height":600,"caption":"Calculate gross living area (GLA) 2D floor plan"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/blog\/calculate-gross-living-area\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What is Gross Living Area (GLA) and How Do You Calculate It?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/","name":"RoomSketcher","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/#organization","name":"RoomSketcher","url":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/22121738\/cropped-roomsketcher-logo-square.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/wpmedia.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/22121738\/cropped-roomsketcher-logo-square.png","width":511,"height":511,"caption":"RoomSketcher"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/roomsketcher\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@RoomSketcher","https:\/\/no.pinterest.com\/roomsketcher\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/roomsketcher\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/roomsketcher\/"],"description":"RoomSketcher provides easy-to-use professional floor plan software for creating accurate, editable 2D and 3D floor plans, furnishing and decorating spaces, and visualizing projects in 3D.","email":"support@roomsketcher.com","telephone":"+4740000484","legalName":"RoomSketcher AS","foundingDate":"2006-12-14","vatID":"991008683","taxID":"991008683MVA","duns":"671266257","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"11","maxValue":"50"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/#\/schema\/person\/84cd49761ec4fd206af887d48a408cd0","name":"Tony Gillen","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/tony-gillen-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/tony-gillen-96x96.jpg","caption":"Tony Gillen"},"url":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/author\/tony\/"}]}},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9878","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/32"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9878"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9878\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17094,"href":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9878\/revisions\/17094"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9911"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9878"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.roomsketcher.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9878"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}