Measure twice before buying your flooring.

Before shopping for flooring, write down the room dimensions. Buying by guesswork can leave you short halfway through a project. This simple measuring method helps you build a shopping estimate; it does not replace checking the condition of the floor underneath.

What you’ll need

• Tape measure
• Pencil and paper
• Calculator
• Flooring manufacturer’s instructions

Take it step by step

1. Sketch the room, including closets and other areas receiving the same flooring. For an L-shaped room, divide the sketch into two rectangles without overlapping them.
2. Measure each rectangle’s length and width in feet. Keep inches in the calculation: six inches is half a foot, not six tenths.
3. Multiply length by width for each rectangle, then add the results. A 12-foot by 10-foot room is 120 square feet.
4. Add the waste allowance recommended for your product and layout. If the recommended allowance is 10%, 120 square feet becomes 132 square feet. Complex patterns may need a different allowance.
5. Check the square-foot coverage printed on the carton. Divide your total by that coverage and round up to whole cartons. Keep your measurements and product details together for the store visit.

When to ask for help

Have soft, uneven or damp floors evaluated before installing new flooring. Do not remove unknown older flooring or adhesive until you know it is safe to disturb.