Box coverage is printed on the carton.
How much extra to buy
Add about 5 to 10% for straight layouts and 15% or more for diagonal or herringbone patterns, small rooms with many cuts, or plank flooring with a strong grain match. Flooring is sold by the box, so round up to whole boxes.
Worked example
A 12 × 14 ft room is 168 sq ft. With 10% waste you need 184.8 sq ft. At 20 sq ft per box that is 9.24 boxes, so buy 10.
Before you install
Many manufacturers ask you to let wood and laminate acclimate in the room for 48 to 72 hours, and keep an unopened box for future repairs, since colours change between production runs.
Frequently asked questions
How much waste for flooring?
Around 5–10% for straight installs.
Do I measure closets?
Yes, if the flooring runs into them.
How do I measure an L-shaped room?
Split it into rectangles, work out each area and add them.