Nailing it Right: How Much Wood Floor Do You Actually Need for Your Room?

Ever walked into a home improvement store with the intention of buying new wood floors for your house, and suddenly felt confused about how much you should buy? Well, you're not alone. Laying out a new hardwood floor is not as simple as buying a pack of cookies. It requires some mathematics, a bit of estimation, and when in doubt, the guidance of an experienced repairman like yours truly. But fear not, by the end of this article, you'll be an expert at calculating how much wood floor you need for your room. So, grab your tape measure and calculator, and let's nail this down!

Determine the Area of Your Room

First thing's first – Before you go wandering down to your local DIY store, you need to know how big your space is. Calculating the area of your room is the initial step. Sounds complicated? Here's an easier approach.

Step 1: Measure the Length and Width of the Room

Run your tape measure along the length and width of the room, ensuring you measure from the furthest points. If you have an oddly shaped room with alcoves or protrusions, simply divide the room into rectangles and measure these individually.

Step 2: The Math Magic

Now that you have the dimensions, it's time to do some quick math. Multiply the length by the width to calculate the area in square feet. Don't worry, even if your math skills are a bit rusty, your phone's calculator app is there for the rescue!

Add Some Extra for The "Just-In-Case" Moments

After pulling out your old math skills, let me introduce you to another key term in the world of floor replacement: the 'wastage factor'. Trust me, you'll always end up wasting some flooring. It might be because some pieces are damaged, or they just need to be cut to fit around corners, doors, or cupboards.

As a rule of thumb, it's wise to add 10% to your total square footage. This should cover both the cuts and potential mistakes. Oh and hey, it's also great for storing a few extra pieces in case of future repairs.

Wise Tip:

If you're not feeling confident about laying the floor yourself or if the room is not quite a perfect rectangle, consider increasing the extra amount to 15%.

Consider the Type of Wood Flooring

Let's not forget that the type of wood flooring you choose can also affect how much you need. Remember, we are not looking for firewood here, but flooring that suits your style and daily activity level. Be it solid hardwood, engineered wood, or laminate, each comes with different widths and pack sizes.

Most flooring is sold by the box. These will have a certain amount of square footage that it will cover. Just divide your total room square footage (including your extra 10%!) by the flooring square footage in the box. This will tell you how many boxes you need to purchase.

Do Not Forget About the Underlayment

If you're installing wood floor, you'll likely need underlayment too. This little layer of insulation can help with soundproofing and comfort. Just like your wood floor, buy your underlayment based on the square footage of your room, plus a little extra.

Bottom Line...

Getting the right amount of wood can be the trickiest part of the job, but just remember – measure twice, purchase once. If there's anything this old repairman knows, it's that a little preparation can prevent you from running out of flooring midway. You’re now ready to take on the challenge, and if all else fails, remember there are experts out there that can lend a helping hand. Now go play your numbers savvy and prepare to enjoy the feeling of warmth and elegance a new wood floor can bring to your room!