Calculate Square Footage For Wood Flooring

Calculate Square Footage for Wood Flooring

Installing wood flooring is an excellent way to upgrade the look and feel of your home. However, before you start shopping for materials, it's essential to know how to calculate the square footage you need. This will help you avoid buying too much or too little flooring, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Step 1: Measure the Length and Width of the Room

The first step is to measure the length and width of the room where you'll be installing the wood flooring. Use a tape measure to get the most accurate readings. If the room is not a perfect rectangle, divide it into smaller sections and measure each section individually. Then, add up the measurements to get the total square footage.

Step 2: Subtract Obstacles

Once you have the total square footage, you need to subtract any obstacles that will not be covered by the flooring. This includes things like closets, fireplaces, and kitchen cabinets. To do this, measure the length and width of each obstacle and calculate its area. Then, subtract the total area of the obstacles from the total square footage.

Step 3: Add 10% for Waste

When calculating the square footage of wood flooring you need, it's important to add 10% for waste. This accounts for cuts, mistakes, and any other unexpected circumstances that may arise during the installation process. By adding 10% for waste, you can ensure that you have enough wood flooring to complete the project without running short.

Example

Let's say you have a room that is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide. The room has a closet that is 4 feet long and 3 feet wide. To calculate the square footage of wood flooring you need:

Measure the length and width of the room: 12 feet x 10 feet = 120 square feet
Subtract the area of the closet: 4 feet x 3 feet = 12 square feet
Subtract the area of the closet from the total square footage: 120 square feet - 12 square feet = 108 square feet
Add 10% for waste: 108 square feet + 10% = 118.8 square feet

Therefore, you would need to purchase 118.8 square feet of wood flooring to complete the project.

Tips

When measuring the room, be sure to include any alcoves or bay windows.
If the room has an irregular shape, divide it into smaller sections and measure each section individually.
Don't forget to add 10% for waste.
It's always a good idea to purchase a little more wood flooring than you think you'll need, just in case.