How much flooring do I need?

Flooring is sold by the square metre or square foot, in packs. Measure the floor area, add an allowance for cuts, then round up to whole packs.

1. Measure the floor area

   Add the floor plan to the board, Calibrate, and draw over each room: a rectangle (R) for square rooms, or Lasso fill (G) round L-shapes and bays. Select each shape to read its area. See room area from a floor plan.

2. Add a waste allowance

   Some boards and tiles are always lost to cuts. Retailers typically suggest about 5–10% for straight-laid laminate, wood or tiles, and more, often 15% or so, for herringbone, diagonal layouts or rooms with lots of corners. Check the manufacturer's advice.

3. Round up to whole packs

   Divide by the area per pack and round up. Keep a spare pack if you can: batches can vary in colour.

Worked example

A living room of 5.8 m × 4.0 m is 23.2 m². With 10% for cuts that's 25.5 m². In packs of 2.2 m², you need 25.5 ÷ 2.2 = 11.6, so 12 packs.

Don't forget

• Doorways and thresholds where the flooring runs through.
• Underlay, which is sold by area too, and beading or skirting by length: use Measure for the edges.