Measuring your floor properly is one of the easiest ways to prevent delays, reduce waste, and avoid ordering too little (or far too much). Whether you’re updating one room or planning a full renovation, this simple process will help you calculate your flooring square footage, add the right waste percentage, and convert it into the correct number of boxes to purchase.
Step 1: Measure Your Space (Square Footage Basics)
Start by breaking your space into simple shapes, usually rectangles. If your room has bump-outs, closets, or hallways, treat each one as its own rectangle.
- Measure the length of the first section (in feet).
- Measure the width of the same section (in feet).
- Multiply length × width to get the square footage for that section.
- Repeat for every section, then add them together.
Example:
Room A: 12 ft × 10 ft = 120 sq ft
Room B: 8 ft × 6 ft = 48 sq ft
Total = 168 sq ft
This total is your starting point for ordering flooring.
Step 2: Add the Right Waste Percentage
Next, add extra flooring to account for the real-world cuts that happen during installation.
A common planning guideline is about 10 % extra material.
Why do we need Waste?
- Cutting around walls, doorways, and cabinets
- Closets and small spaces
- Staggering planks for a natural layout
- Mistakes, damaged boards, or future repairs
How to calculate it:
Total square footage × 1.10
Example:
168 sq ft × 1.10 = 185 sq ft
Now you have a realistic “ready-to-order” number.
Step 3: Convert Square Feet Into Boxes (Cartons)
Flooring is sold by the box, not by the individual plank. Your final step is to convert your square footage into cartons.
On the product page, look for:
- Square feet per box – 23.68
- Plank size – 7″×48″
- Number of planks per carton – Lets say 10
How to calculate boxes:
Final square footage (with waste) ÷ square feet per box = number of boxes
Then round up to the next full box.
Example:
185 sq ft ÷ 23.68 sq ft per box = 7.81 boxes
Order 8 boxes
Rounding up matters because you can’t purchase partial cartons, and keeping all boxes from the same dye lot helps ensure a consistent finish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering Flooring
Even with accurate measurements, these common missteps can create unnecessary problems during installation or down the road.
- Not Adjusting Waste for Odd-Shaped Rooms
Rooms with angles, hallways, closets, islands, or multiple doorways create more cuts. In these cases, the waste percentage often needs to increase beyond 10 % to account for layout challenges.
- Ignoring Plank Size
Wider or longer planks look beautiful, but they typically generate more waste, especially in smaller or irregular rooms. Always consider plank dimensions when calculating how much extra material to order.
- Not Ordering Enough for Rentals
If the flooring is going into a rental property, it’s wise to add extra material beyond standard waste. Having matching flooring on hand makes future repairs far easier and avoids mismatched replacements later.
- Being Too Tight on Extra Square Footage
For your own home, don’t be stingy with extra square feet. One extra box costs far less than trying to match and replace flooring years later — or worse, replacing an entire section.
- Mixing Dye Lots
Do not mix dye lots. Even within the same product, colour variation can occur between production runs. Always purchase enough material at once to complete the full installation.
- Skipping a Dry Layout
Before installation begins, open multiple boxes and lay planks out on the floor. This allows you to:
- See natural colour and grain variation
- Blend boards evenly
- Avoid noticeable grouping of similar tones
This step helps achieve a more natural, balanced final look.
Quick Summary Checklist
- Measure length × width for each area – add all areas together
- Add 10 % waste (or more for complex layouts)
- Check the square feet per box
- Round up to full cartons only
- Never mix dye lots
- Dry lay boards before installation
Product Specs and Box Sizes
For exact carton coverage, plank dimensions, and product specifications, visit: www.opusfloors.ca