How it’s worked out
A 4 × 3.5 m room is 14 m²; with 10% extra that’s 15.4 m², so 7 packs of 2.2 m². Skirting round it, less a 0.8 m doorway, is 14.2 m.
Packs = ⌈floor area × (1 + extra) ÷ coverage of a pack⌉
How much extra to allow
- 5–10% for boards laid straight in a simple room.
- 15% for herringbone, chevron or diagonal layouts, and rooms with lots of corners.
- Keep one spare pack if you can, for repairs later.
Before you lay it
Most makers say to leave the packs flat in the room for about 48 hours so the boards settle to its temperature and humidity, and to leave an expansion gap round the edges, hidden by the skirting or beading.
How to read the result
- Packs to buy: the floor area plus extra, divided by what a pack covers, rounded up.
- Cost: when you type the price of a pack.
- Skirting and underlay: the length round the room and the floor area.
Common mistakes
- Measuring only the main rectangle: add alcoves and hallways as other areas.
- Allowing too little extra for herringbone or diagonal layouts.
- Laying the boards before they settle to the room.
How to use it
- Type the room’s length and width, and add any other areas.
- Type what a pack covers (it’s on the pack) and the price if you want the cost.
- Read the packs, cost, underlay and skirting length.
Questions
How many packs of laminate do I need?
Divide the floor area plus extra by what a pack covers and round up: 7 packs of 2.2 m² for a 4 × 3.5 m room with 10% extra.
How much underlay do I need?
The floor area, without extra: underlay is laid edge to edge, not overlapped (unless the maker says otherwise).
Does it work in square feet?
Yes: switch to Imperial at the top.
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