Laminate & Wood Flooring Calculator
Calculate flooring boxes needed with layout optimization. Compares Straight vs Diagonal (45°) waste factors and costs.
1. Room Dimensions
2. Material Info
3. Layout Pattern
About
Flooring calculations require more than simple area multiplication. The layout pattern dictates the waste factor significantly. A straight lay typically incurs 5-7% waste. A diagonal 45-degree lay increases this to 10-15% due to the high number of triangular cut-offs at the perimeter. Reusing these cut-offs is possible but labour-intensive.
This tool helps you determine the exact number of boxes required. It standardizes input using common plank dimensions and box coverage. It explicitly accounts for the directionality of the installation to prevent mid-project material shortages.
Formulas
Total Area Aroom is length l times width w. The required material Areq includes the waste factor f.
The number of boxes N is the ceiling of required area divided by box coverage C.
Reference Data
| Material Type | Box Coverage (sq ft) | Waste Factor (Straight) | Waste Factor (Diagonal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Laminate | 20 - 25 | 5% | 10% |
| Engineered Wood | 25 - 35 | 5-7% | 12% |
| Solid Hardwood | 20 | 7-10% | 15% |
| LVP (Vinyl Plank) | 20 - 28 | 5% | 8% |