How Do I Know how Much Flooring to Buy
If you’ve ever wondered how to calculate the amount of flooring you need for a project, wonder no more! In this blog post, we’ll walk you through a simple step-by-step process to determine how much flooring you’ll need to buy.
How to calculate how much flooring you need to buy
The first thing you need to do is measure the room or area you will be flooring. To do this, you will need to know the width and length of the room in feet. Once you have these measurements, you can calculate the square footage of the room by multiplying the width by the length.
For example, if your room is 10 feet wide by 12 feet long, your square footage would be 120 square feet (10 x 12 = 120).
Once you have your square footage number, you need to take into account any waste that will occur during installation. Most flooring installations will result in some waste, as it is often impossible to install flooring perfectly without any errors or mistakes. To account for this, you will need to add an additional 10-20% to your total square footage.
So, if your room is 120 square feet, you would need to buy enough flooring for 144-168 square feet (120 + 10-20% = 132-144). This will give you enough material to account for any waste and still have enough to complete your project.
What factors to consider when purchasing flooring
When considering new flooring for your home, it is important to take into account a few different factors in order to make sure you are making the best purchase for your needs. Below are some of the main things to keep in mind.
-How much traffic will the floor be subject to?
-Are there any special needs like soundproofing or slip resistance?
-What is your budget?
-What is the existing décor of your home?
-What style do you want the flooring to convey?
-What is the installation process like?
How to choose the right type of flooring for your home
There are many things to consider when choosing flooring for your home. You need to think about the function of the room, your lifestyle, and your budget. You also need to decide if you want to DIY or hire a professional.
Function
The first thing to think about is the function of the room.Will it be a high traffic area? Do you have pets? Do you have allergies? These are all important factors to consider when choosing flooring. Hard floors like tile, hardwood, and laminate are good for high traffic areas and easy to keep clean. Carpet is good for bedrooms and other low traffic areas. It’s important to choose a floor that will be durable and easy to maintain.
Lifestyle
Your lifestyle is another important factor to consider when choosing flooring. If you have kids or pets, you’ll want something that is easy to clean and stain resistant. If you have allergies, you’ll want something that won’t trap dust and other allergens.
Budget
Your budget is probably the most important factor in choosing flooring. There are many different types of flooring that range in price from fairly inexpensive to very expensive. You need to find something that fits your budget and your needs.
There are many things to consider when choosing flooring for your home. The most important things to think about are the function of the room, your lifestyle, and your budget. Once you’ve considered these factors, you can narrow down your choices and pick the perfect flooring for your home
The pros and cons of different types of flooring
When it comes to flooring, there are pros and cons to every type. Here are some of the most popular types of flooring, and their advantages and disadvantages:
-Carpet: Carpet is soft and comfortable, and it helps reduce noise. It’s also relatively inexpensive. However, carpet can be difficult to clean, and it can hold onto dust and other allergens.
-Hardwood: Hardwood floors are stylish and classic. They’re also easy to keep clean. However, hardwood floors can be scratched or dented, and they’re not as comfortable as carpet.
-Tile: Tile floors are easy to clean and they’re very durable. They can also be cold and hard, which may not be comfortable for some people.
-Linoleum: Linoleum is a type of flooring that’s made from natural materials like cork or wood. It’s environmentally friendly and it can be very attractive. However, linoleum is softer than tile or hardwood, so it may scratch or dent more easily.
How to install your new flooring
To avoid waste, it’s important to accurately calculate the amount of flooring you will need for your project before you make your purchase.
There are a few different ways to do this, but the most common and accurate method is to measure the square footage of the room (or rooms) you are looking to install new flooring in. To do this, simply multiply the length of the room by its width.
For example, if you’re looking to install new flooring in a room that is 10 feet wide by 12 feet long, you would need 120 square feet of flooring. Most importantly, don’t forget to include any closets or other areas in your calculation!
Once you know how much square footage you need, simply consult our helpful Flooring Calculator below to determine how many boxes or packages of flooring you should purchase.
How to care for your new flooring
You’ve just installed new flooring in your home and you want to make sure it lasts for years to come. Here are a few tips on how to care for your new floors:
-Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and debris.
-Wipe up spills immediately.
-Place mats at entryways to protect your floors from dirt and debris tracked in from outside.
-Avoid wearing shoes with high heels or other sharp objects that could damage your floors.
-If you have pets, trim their nails regularly to avoid scratching the surface of your floors.
Troubleshooting tips for common flooring problems
If your flooring is starting to show its age, it may be time for a refresh. But before you start shopping for new flooring, it’s important to troubleshoot any problems with your existing floors. That way, you can be sure to buy the right type and amount of flooring for your needs.
Here are some troubleshooting tips for common flooring problems:
Scratches and scuffs: If your floors are starting to look scratched or scuffed, you may be able to simply buff them out with a soft cloth. For deeper scratches, you may need to sand down the floors and then refinish them.
Stains: If your floors are stained, you may be able to remove the stains with a mild soap and water solution. For tougher stains, you may need to use a stronger cleaning solution or even sand down and refinish the floors.
Warping: If your floors are starting to warp or bow, it’s important to find out the root cause of the problem. Warping can be caused by excess moisture, so if you have a leaky pipe or appliance, it’s important to fix that problem before replacing the flooring.
FAQs about buying and installing flooring
How much flooring do I need to buy?
This is probably the most frequently asked question, and unfortunately, there is no easy answer. The amount of flooring you’ll need to purchase depends on a variety of factors, including the size of your room(s), the type of flooring you’ve chosen, and whether or not you plan to install the flooring yourself.
To get a more accurate estimate of how much flooring you’ll need to buy, we recommend that you use our Flooring Room Estimator tool. This tool will help you figure out the exact amount of flooring needed for your project by taking into account the specific details of your room (e.g., dimensions, doorways, closet space, etc.).
Can I install the flooring myself?
It depends on the type of flooring you’ve chosen. Some types of flooring, such as laminate or luxury vinyl tile (LVT), can be relatively easy for a do-it-yourselfer to install, while other types (e.g., hardwood or ceramic tile) may be better suited for installation by a professional.
To get a better idea of which types of floors can be installed by a DIYer and which should be installed by a professional, check out our Installation Guides section. This section provides step-by-step instructions (with accompanying photos and videos) for installing many different types of floors.