How to Measure Flooring
When purchasing hardwood flooring it is important that your room is measured correctly so that you have enough flooring to complete the room, but equally you do not want too much waste or left over flooring.
Before you start to measure your room you will need a pen and paper, tape measure and calculator.
MEASURING A SQUARE OR RECTANGLUAR ROOM
If your room is a straight forward square or rectangle, then it is quick and easy to measure. Follow the simple steps below:
• Measure across the length of the room (e.g. 4m)
• Measure across the width of the room (e.g. 3m)
• Multiply these two measurements together (4m x 3m = 12m²)
• Add on 5% to account for wastage (12m² x 1.05 = 12.6m²)
• Using this example you would need to order 12.6m² of flooring
MEASURING AN IRREGULAR SHAPED ROOM
If your room is not a regular shape, things may not be as straight forward but it is still easy to measure if you follow these simple steps:
• Start by roughly drawing the shape of the room
• On the drawing split the room into sections of squares or rectangles
• Choose one section an measure across the length of the room (e.g. 4m)
• Continue with this section and measure across the width of the room (e.g. 1.5m)
• Calculate the area of this first section by multiplying the two measurements (e.g. 4m x 1.5m = 6m²)
• Choose the second section and measure across the length of the room (e.g. 2m)
• Continue with this second section an measure across the width of the room (e.g. 1.5m)
• Calculate the area of this second section by multiplying the two measurements (e.g. 2m x 1.5m = 3m²)
• Add these two areas together to get a total area for your room (e.g. 6m² + 3m² = 9m²)
• Add on 5% to account for wastage (9m² x 1.05 = 9.45m²)
• Using this example you would need to order 9.45m² of flooring
You can simply adapt this method of calculating the area of an irregular shaped room if you have more than two sections. Simply split the room into manageable sections of squares or rectangles, work out the areas of all of the sections, add them together and add on 5% for wastage.
Things to remember when measuring a room for flooring
• Never guess the size of you room – always measure accurately with a tape measure.
• Remember to measure right into the doorways of the room as the flooring may be laid there too.
• Always measure your room in metres because flooring is usually sold in metres.
• Remember to double check all of your calculations and use a calculator if necessary.
• You must add 5% to your final area for wastage, otherwise you may not have enough flooring to finish your room.
If you have any problems with working out your area you can send us a drawing by email, fax or post, and we can work it out for you.
email: mail@ambiencehardwoodflooring.com
fax: 0116 2741046
post: Unit 5, Euston Street, Freemens Common, Leicester, LE2 7ST.
