Installing new flooring is a transformative home improvement project that can completely change the look and feel of a space. But before you can enjoy your new floors, you need to get the planning right, and the most crucial step is ordering the correct amount of material. Ordering too little leads to frustrating delays and potential dye lot mismatches, while ordering too much is a waste of money and storage space. Our Flooring Calculator is designed to prevent these problems. It helps you accurately calculate the total square footage of flooring you need, including a critical "wastage factor," ensuring your project goes smoothly from start to finish.
How to Use the Flooring Calculator
Estimating your flooring needs is a simple process:
- Select Your Units: Choose whether you are working in imperial (feet) or metric (meters).
- Enter Room Dimensions: Input the length and width of the room you are covering.
- Enter Wastage Factor: Input the percentage of extra material you want to order to account for cuts and mistakes. A 10% wastage factor is standard.
- Calculate Total Area: Click the "Calculate" button to see the total amount of flooring material you should purchase, in square feet or square meters.
The Two Core Components of a Flooring Calculation
1. Calculating the Base Area
The first step is to find the basic square footage or square meterage of the room. For a simple rectangular room, this is a straightforward calculation:
Area = Room Length × Room Width
If your room has a more complex shape, like an L-shape or a room with alcoves or closets, the best approach is to break the space down into smaller, separate rectangles. Calculate the area of each individual rectangle and then add them all together to get your total base area. Always measure twice to ensure accuracy!
2. The Critical Wastage Factor
You can never just order the exact square footage of your room. You must always add extra material to account for waste. This is arguably the most important step for a successful DIY project. The wastage factor, typically between 10% and 15%, covers several things:
- Cuts and Ends: When you reach the end of a row, you will have to cut a plank or tile to fit. The leftover piece is often too small to be used elsewhere.
- Complex Layouts: Rooms with many corners, angles, or obstacles like fireplaces and cabinets will require more intricate cuts, leading to more waste.
- Diagonal Installation: Installing flooring on a diagonal angle creates a dynamic look but also generates significantly more waste due to the angled cuts required at every wall. A 15-20% wastage factor is recommended for diagonal layouts.
- Mistakes: Even professionals make a miscut now and then. Having extra material provides a buffer for human error.
- Future Repairs: It is a very good idea to have a few extra planks or tiles left over after the installation is complete. If a piece of your floor gets damaged years later, having material from the exact same dye lot is essential for an invisible repair.
Planning Your Flooring Project
Choosing Your Flooring Material
The type of flooring you choose can impact the installation process.
- Laminate & Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP): These are popular DIY choices. They are floating floors that click together, requiring no glue or nails.
- Hardwood: Can be solid or engineered. Solid hardwood is typically nailed down, a more advanced installation. Engineered hardwood can often be installed as a floating floor.
- Tile: Ceramic or porcelain tile installation is a more complex job involving mortar and grout, but it's extremely durable. The size of the tiles will significantly impact the number of cuts you need to make.
Subfloor Preparation
No flooring installation will be successful without a properly prepared subfloor. Before you begin, ensure your subfloor is:
- Clean: Free of all dust, debris, and old adhesive.
- Flat: Check for high or low spots. Use a self-leveling compound to fill in low spots and sand down high spots. Most manufacturers specify a flatness tolerance (e.g., no more than a 3/16-inch dip over a 10-foot span).
- Dry: Ensure there are no moisture issues, as this can ruin your new floor. A moisture barrier may be required over a concrete subfloor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much extra flooring should I really buy?
A 10% wastage factor is a safe bet for a standard, rectangular room. For rooms with a complex layout, or if you are installing the flooring on a diagonal, it's highly recommended to increase this to 15% or even 20%. It is always better to have a little too much than to run out mid-project.
Should I include the area under my cabinets or appliances?
This depends on the installation. For a "floating floor" like laminate or LVP, you should NOT install it under permanent fixtures like kitchen cabinets. You should measure the main room area and install the flooring up to the cabinet toe-kicks. For appliances like a refrigerator or stove, you should install the flooring underneath them so they sit level and can be moved easily.
Does this calculator tell me how many boxes to buy?
No, this calculator gives you the total area (e.g., 220 sq ft) you need to purchase. You will need to check the flooring product's packaging to see how many square feet are contained in one box. Then, you can divide your total required area by the area per box to find the number of boxes you need to buy (always rounding up to the next whole box).
How do I measure an L-shaped room?
The easiest way is to break the 'L' into two separate rectangles. Measure the length and width of each rectangle, calculate the area for both, and then add the two areas together to get your total base square footage before adding the wastage factor.