Calculate Square Footage For Laminate Flooring

Calculating Square Footage for Laminate Flooring

Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or planning your first flooring project, calculating the square footage of your space is a crucial step when purchasing laminate flooring. Accurately measuring your room ensures you order the correct amount of material and avoid costly mistakes.

Step 1: Measure the Length and Width

Using a measuring tape, measure the length and width of the room in feet. Take measurements at the longest and widest points, and record them on paper or in a note-taking app.

Step 2: Multiply Length and Width

To calculate the square footage, simply multiply the length by the width. For example, if your room is 10 feet long and 12 feet wide, the square footage is 10 x 12 = 120 square feet.

Step 3: Add 10% for Waste

During installation, you'll inevitably have some leftover pieces or cuts that won't be used. To account for this, it's recommended to add an additional 10% to your total square footage. In our example, 120 + 12 (10%) = 132 square feet.

Step 4: Calculate the Number of Packs

Most laminate flooring is sold in packs or boxes. Each pack contains a certain number of square feet. To calculate the number of packs you need, divide the total square footage (132 in our example) by the square footage per pack. If a pack contains 20 square feet, you would need 132 / 20 = 6.6 packs.

Tips:

Measure carefully and double-check your calculations.
If the room has irregular shapes or obstacles, divide it into smaller sections and calculate their square footage individually before adding them up.
Consider adding slightly more than 10% for waste if you're not comfortable with cutting or have a complex room layout.
Round up your results to the nearest whole pack or box.

Conclusion

Calculating square footage for laminate flooring is a straightforward process that ensures you purchase the right amount of material for your project. By following these steps, you can avoid costly overages or shortages, ensuring a successful and budget-friendly flooring installation.