How To Calculate Amount Of Laminate Flooring Needed

How To Calculate the Amount of Laminate Flooring Needed

Accurately calculating the amount of laminate flooring needed for a project is crucial to avoid delays and unnecessary expenses. This process involves understanding the area to be covered and accounting for waste. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to ensure accurate calculations.

Step 1: Measuring the Room

Begin by measuring the length and width of the room. For rectangular rooms, this is straightforward. Use a tape measure to obtain precise measurements in feet or meters, depending on the unit of measure used for the flooring materials. Record these measurements carefully.

For rooms with irregular shapes, divide the area into smaller, manageable rectangular or square sections. Measure the length and width of each section and record these measurements separately. This allows for more accurate calculations and minimizes waste.

Step 2: Calculating the Area

For rectangular rooms, multiply the length by the width to determine the area. For example, a room 12 feet long and 10 feet wide has an area of 120 square feet (12 ft x 10 ft = 120 sq ft).

For rooms divided into sections, calculate the area of each section separately using the same length multiplied by width formula. Once the area of each section is determined, add these areas together to obtain the total area of the room.

Step 3: Understanding Waste Factor

It's crucial to account for waste. Waste occurs due to cuts, defects, and pattern matching. A waste factor is a percentage added to the total area to ensure sufficient material. The waste factor depends on the complexity of the room layout and the type of laminate flooring being installed.

A standard waste factor is typically between 5% and 10%. For simple rectangular rooms, a 5% waste factor might suffice. For more complex layouts with angles, curves, or intricate patterns, a 10% or even higher waste factor is recommended.

Step 4: Calculating the Waste Amount

To calculate the waste amount, multiply the total area of the room by the chosen waste factor. For example, if the room has an area of 120 square feet and a 7% waste factor is used, the waste amount is 8.4 square feet (120 sq ft x 0.07 = 8.4 sq ft).

Step 5: Calculating Total Flooring Needed

Add the calculated waste amount to the total area of the room to determine the total amount of flooring needed. In the example above, the total flooring needed would be 128.4 square feet (120 sq ft + 8.4 sq ft = 128.4 sq ft).

Step 6: Considering Package Size

Laminate flooring is typically sold in boxes containing a specific square footage. Check the packaging for the square footage covered by each box. Divide the total flooring needed by the square footage per box to determine the number of boxes required. Always round up to the nearest whole number as it's better to have a slight surplus than a shortage.

Example Calculation

Consider a room measuring 15 feet by 11 feet. The area is 165 square feet (15 ft x 11 ft = 165 sq ft). Using a 7% waste factor, the waste amount is 11.55 square feet (165 sq ft x 0.07 = 11.55 sq ft).

The total flooring needed is 176.55 square feet (165 sq ft + 11.55 sq ft = 176.55 sq ft). If each box of laminate flooring covers 20 square feet, the number of boxes needed is 9 (176.55 sq ft / 20 sq ft/box = 8.83 boxes, rounded up to 9).

Additional Considerations

For installations involving transitions between rooms or different flooring materials, additional measurements and calculations may be necessary. Consider the specific requirements of the transition moldings and add any extra material needed to the total calculation.

Keeping accurate records of all measurements and calculations is essential for ordering the correct amount of flooring. It is always recommended to double-check the calculations to ensure accuracy and avoid potential shortages.

By following these steps and considering all factors, one can accurately calculate the amount of laminate flooring needed for a project, ensuring a smooth and efficient installation process.