How Much Laminate Flooring Do I Need?

Planning to install laminate flooring in your home? One of the most important steps before you start your project is working out exactly how much material you'll need. Getting this right means you'll avoid costly mistakes like ordering too little and facing delays, or ordering too much and wasting money and materials. 

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about calculating your laminate flooring requirements accurately, and when to opt for professional measuring services.

How to Measure for Laminate Flooring

Before you can calculate how much laminate flooring you need, you'll need to take accurate measurements of your room. This is the foundation of getting your order right, so it's worth taking your time to do it properly.

Start by measuring the length and width of your room in metres. Use a tape measure and take measurements at multiple points, as rooms aren't always perfectly square. If you find variations, always use the longest measurement to ensure you have enough material.

For rectangular rooms, this is straightforward. However, many rooms have alcoves, bay windows, or irregular shapes. In these cases, it's best to break the room down into smaller rectangular sections. Measure each section separately, then add the areas together for your total.

Don't forget to measure doorways and any fixed features like fitted wardrobes. While you won't be laying flooring under these, it's better to have slightly too much material than not enough. You can always use offcuts for small repairs in the future.

Make a sketch of your room as you measure, noting down all the dimensions. This visual reference will be invaluable when you're doing your calculations and can help you spot any areas you might have missed.

How to Calculate Laminate Flooring

Once you've got your measurements, calculating how much laminate flooring you need is relatively simple. The basic formula is to multiply the room's length by its width to get the total area in square metres.

• Step 1: Measure your room's length and width in metres, taking multiple measurements if the room isn't perfectly square and using the longest measurements. Use a rough sketch of the room shape to keep track.
• Step 2: Multiply length by width to get your room's area in square metres. For irregular rooms, break them into rectangular sections, calculate each area, and add them together.
• Step 3: Decide on your wastage allowance. Use 10% for simple rectangular rooms with straight laying patterns, 15% for more complex rooms or diagonal patterns, and up to 20% for herringbone or very awkward spaces.
• Step 4: Add your wastage allowance by multiplying your total area by 1.1 (for 10%), 1.15 (for 15%), or 1.2 (for 20%).
• Step 5: Round up to the nearest whole number if you get a decimal. Laminate flooring is sold in packs, so check how many square metres each pack covers and divide your total by this number to find out how many packs to order. Always round up to the next full pack.

For instance, if your calculation shows you need 22.5 square metres and each pack covers 2 square metres, you'd need 11.25 packs, which means ordering 12 packs.

How Much Underlay Do I Need for Laminate Flooring?

Underlay is an essential component of laminate flooring installation, providing cushioning, sound insulation, and a moisture barrier. The good news is that calculating how much laminate underlay you need is even simpler than calculating the flooring itself.

You'll need the same amount of underlay as you do flooring, based on your room's total area. However, you don't need to add as much wastage. A 5% allowance is typically sufficient for underlay, as it's easier to work with and joins can be taped together without the same precision required for laminate planks.

Using an example of a 20 square metre room, you'd need 21 square metres of underlay (20 × 1.05 = 21). Underlay is usually sold in rolls that cover specific areas, so check the coverage per roll and order accordingly.

Some laminate flooring comes with underlay already attached to the planks. If you're considering this option, check whether it's included before ordering separate underlay.

Tips for Ordering and Measuring Laminate Flooring

Before you place your order, here are a few final considerations that will help ensure your project runs smoothly.

• • Check the batch numbers: Laminate flooring can vary slightly in shade between production batches. Make sure all your packs come from the same batch to ensure consistent colour throughout your room. This information is printed on the packaging.
  • Order from one supplier: If you need to order additional flooring later, it may be difficult to match the exact product and batch. It's always better to slightly over-order initially than to fall short mid-project.
  • Consider pattern and direction: Think about which way you'll lay your planks. Running them parallel to the longest wall typically makes a room look larger. This might affect how you cut planks and your wastage factor.
  • Account for future repairs: Those extra planks from your 10-15% wastage allowance aren't just for installation errors. Store any leftover flooring in a dry place so you can replace damaged planks years down the line.
  • Measure doorways and transitions: Don't forget about the areas where your laminate meets other flooring types or where you'll need door bars in doorways. Measure these areas and add them to your calculations.
• Opt for professional measuring and installation: At United Carpets & Beds, we offer free home visits, during which our flooring expert will measure your space and show samples of our laminate options.

We're here to help you get your laminate flooring project right the first time. Our experienced team can help you calculate exactly how much material you need and recommend the right products for your space. Visit us in-store or browse our range online to find the perfect laminate flooring for your home.