How Material Is Calculated
Room area = length x width. Area with waste = room area x (1 + waste%/100). Boxes needed = area with waste / coverage per box, rounded up to the nearest whole box. Always round up: you never want to order short. For L-shaped rooms, calculate each rectangle separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Measure the length and width of the room in feet and multiply to get square footage. Add a waste factor (typically 10% for straight lay, 15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns) to account for cuts and waste. Divide by the coverage per box to find how many boxes to buy. This calculator handles all of these steps.
Use 10% for standard straight installation, 15% for diagonal installation or herringbone/chevron patterns, and 15-20% for irregular room shapes with many corners or obstacles. Always round up to the nearest full box or unit when purchasing.
Divide the room into rectangles, calculate the area of each rectangle separately, and add them together. This calculator handles rectangular rooms; for L-shaped rooms, enter each section separately and add the quantities.
Hardwood is real wood, durable and refinishable but sensitive to moisture. Laminate simulates wood with a photographic layer over HDF board, more scratch-resistant but not suitable for wet areas. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is 100% waterproof and durable. Ceramic and porcelain tile is the most durable and water-resistant option for kitchens and bathrooms.
Yes, for laminate and some LVP, underlayment (a foam or cork layer) is installed underneath and should be calculated separately based on the same square footage. Some floating floors include attached underlayment. Hardwood and tile installations typically do not use the same type of underlayment.
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