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Calculate how much flooring material you need for any room. Estimates square footage, boxes or cartons required, and total cost including waste for hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile, and carpet.
Actual coverage: 0 sq ft (20 sq ft/box)
Material: $0.00
Boxes = Sq Ft Needed ÷ Box Coverage (rounded up)
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Measure the length and width of your room in feet. For irregular rooms, break into rectangles and add areas together.
Add 10-20% extra for cuts, mistakes, and future repairs. The amount depends on room shape and pattern.
Divide total square footage by box coverage and round up to the nearest whole box.
Boxes = Total ÷ Coverage (rounded up)
| Room/Pattern Type | Waste % | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangular Room | 10% | Simple square/rectangular rooms, straight lay |
| L-Shaped Room | 12% | L-shaped rooms, rooms with alcoves |
| Diagonal Installation | 15% | 45-degree diagonal pattern, more cuts at walls |
| Herringbone/Complex | 20% | Herringbone, chevron, irregular rooms |
| First-Time DIYer | 15-20% | Extra buffer for learning curve and mistakes |
| Type | Coverage/Box | Material Cost | Install Cost | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardwood | 20 sq ft | $8/sq ft | $4/sq ft | 50+ years |
| Laminate | 22 sq ft | $3/sq ft | $2/sq ft | 15-25 years |
| Vinyl Plank (LVP) | 24 sq ft | $4/sq ft | $2.5/sq ft | 10-20 years |
| Vinyl Tile (LVT) | 20 sq ft | $3.5/sq ft | $2.5/sq ft | 10-20 years |
| Ceramic Tile | 10 sq ft | $5/sq ft | $6/sq ft | 50+ years |
| Porcelain Tile | 10 sq ft | $7/sq ft | $7/sq ft | 50+ years |
| Carpet | 12 sq ft | $4/sq ft | $1.5/sq ft | 5-15 years |
| Bamboo | 20 sq ft | $6/sq ft | $4/sq ft | 25-30 years |
| Cork | 18 sq ft | $5/sq ft | $3/sq ft | 15-20 years |
Buy 10-20% extra for waste, depending on room complexity. Keep 1-2 extra boxes for future repairs.
Measure each tread (top) and riser (front). Multiply tread area × number of stairs, then add 15-20% for waste. Stair nosing is usually sold separately.
It depends on the flooring type. Laminate and vinyl can often go over existing floors if level. Tile and hardwood usually require removal for proper adhesion and height clearance.
Generally lay flooring parallel to the longest wall or perpendicular to floor joists. In hallways, run parallel to the hall length. Consider natural light direction for best appearance.
Hardwood needs 3-14 days, laminate 48-72 hours, and engineered wood 24-48 hours. Store boxes in the room where they'll be installed at normal temperature and humidity.
Yes for laminate and most vinyl plank. Some products have underlayment attached. Underlayment provides sound dampening, moisture protection, and minor subfloor imperfection correction.