Accurately measuring and calculating the amount of laminate flooring for your space is essential to ensure proper coverage and minimize waste. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Measure Your Room
For Rectangular or Square Rooms:
Measure the length and width of the room in feet (or meters).
Multiply these measurements to find the total square footage.
Example: A room that is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide: 12ft × 10ft = 120ft²
For Irregularly Shaped Rooms:
Divide the room into smaller rectangular sections.
Calculate the area for each section, then add them together for the total square footage.
Example: Section 1: 8ft × 10ft = 80ft². Section 2: 4ft × 10ft = 40ft². Total Area: 80ft² + 40ft² = 120ft².
Include Doorways and Closets:
Step 2: Add a Waste Factor
Always account for cutting and errors:
Add 5% to 10% to your total square footage for waste.
For diagonal or intricate patterns like herringbone, consider a 15% waste factor.
Example:
Step 3: Calculate Boxes of Laminate Flooring Needed
Find Plank Coverage Per Box:
Divide Total Area by Coverage Per Box: Number of Boxes = Total Area Coverage per Box Number of Boxes= Coverage per Box Total Area .
Step 4: Consider Layout Patterns
Straight Lay: Minimal waste, 5-10% buffer is sufficient.
Diagonal Lay or Herringbone: Requires more cuts, so add 10-15% waste.
Example Calculation Recap
Room dimensions: 12ft × 10ft
Square footage: 120 ft²
Waste factor: 10 % → Total area = 132ft²
Coverage per box: 20ft²
Boxes needed: ⌈ 132 ÷ 20 ⌉ = 7 boxes
By following these steps, you can ensure an accurate estimate, reduce waste, and avoid running out of flooring mid-project!
