How to Accurately Estimate a Floor for a Flooring Installation
After you have done your due diligence to find the ideal flooring for your house, the final step before you make your purchase is to measure the floor accurately. It is essential to get this right, as a too-small order will leave you struggling to blend it appropriately, while an overly-large order will misuse your renovation finances. Follow these steps to measure the floor area accurately.
How to Get the Accurate Dimensions of a Floor
Below are the three steps you need to follow to get the most accurate dimensions of the floor:
1. Decide the shape and arrangement of the area.
If you are looking to measure a room, it is usually simplest to do so if the room is square or rectangular. If the room has other shapes, such as a circle or triangle, you will need to use a different formula to measure it. However, many rooms are made up of several rectangles when you look at them correctly. If your room is not a single, open rectangle, separate it into smaller rectangles. Create a plan of the room and note the measurements for each area. Take into account any objects like kitchen islands that could obstruct the measurements.
You can measure a floor as a large rectangle on each side and smaller squares or rectangles above and below. To help you determine the different measuring sections, you can lay out masking tape on the floor; make sure to factor in the width of the tape when taking your measurements.
2. Take Measurements and do the Math.
When assessing the size of each room area, it is essential to record the width and length. If the space is rectangular, then square footage can be determined by multiplying the measurements. For a room with multiple squares or rectangles, add the product of the length multiplied by the width of each one to obtain the total square footage.
If the room is triangular, multiply the length and width, then divide by two. Calculating the area of a circular room is more challenging; the equation (3.14 x Radius x radius)/2 can be used to calculate half the circle.
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3. Calculate the Amount of Waste you Produce
When ordering flooring, it is essential to understand that you will require a specific amount of material that accounts for any potential waste. This extra flooring can be used for any necessary corners or angles. It also provides a cushion in case of any errors or breakages during installation. While a professional installer typically works with minimal waste, you should include 5% of the waste factor in your order if you plan to do the job yourself. If the room shape is complex or there are several obstructions, it may be wise to increase the waste factor to 10%. If the room is triangular, you should allocate 15% of the material for any potential waste.
When making a purchase, it is wise to factor in a certain amount of waste into the order. This allows for a surplus of flooring necessary to fit around corners and angles. It also gives a cushion in case of any mistakes or breakage that could happen while installation happens. While a specialist can work with a minimal waste factor, anyone planning on doing the job on their own should account for at least 5%. If the room has a complex layout with many obstructions, it would be best to increase the waste factor to 10%. In the case of a triangular space, the waste factor should be 15% to ensure the diagonal lines are covered.
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