How to calculate the amount of laminate

To date, laminate flooring is the most popular flooring. Besides the fact that this material is not inferior to the classic parquet, it is relatively small and easy to fit. The main thing when laying is to know how to calculate the amount of laminate to save money on the one hand, and not to return to the store once more on the other.

Two ways to calculate

Method 1.

To determine the amount of laminate calculated the desired area of ​​the room.

• Even a schoolboy knows: to calculate the area, you need to multiply the length by the width. For example, the length of the room is L1 = 7.2 m, width - B1 = 3.5 m. Hence the area S1 = L1 · B1 = 7.2 · 3.5 = 25.2 m?
• The room has a small corridor bridgehead of 0.5 × 1.22 m in size. Its area is S2 = L2 · B2 = 0.5 · 1.22 = 0.61 m?
• Hence the total area S = S1 + S2 = 25.2 + 0.61 = 25.81 m ?.

Now we calculate the amount of laminate on a specific area.

• A material is offered for sale, the length of which is l = 1.38 m, width - b = 0.195 m. Hence the area of ​​the laminate strip is s = l · b = 1.38 · 0.195 = 0.2691 m ?.
• Divide the area of ​​the room on the area of ​​the bar and get the number of products: N = S: s = 25.81: 0.2691 = 95.91? 96 pieces.
• Different manufacturers put their certain number of slats in the package. Most often in the container is 8 floor products. So, to cover the room with laminate, you need N1 = N: n = 96: 8 = 12 packages.

Method 2 

This option is suitable for rooms that are reduced due to projections of different configurations. For example, the dimensions of the room and the laminate panel remain the same. In this method, it is necessary to repel for the calculation of the size and area of ​​the bar.

• With a room length of L1 = 7.2 m and products - l = 1.38 m, strips in one row need K1 = L1: l = 7.2: 1.38 = 5.217 pieces.
• If the width of the room is B1 = 3.5 m and the product is b = 0.195 m, the panels will already need K2 = B1: b = 3.5: 0.195 = 17.949 pieces.
• The preliminary number of slats will need K3 = K1 · K2 = 5.217 · 17.949 = 93.640 pieces.
• The number of panels on the corridor bridgehead will be K4 = L2: b = 0.5: 0.195 = 2.564 pieces.
• The total number of products that will be needed is K = K3 + K4 = 93.640 + 2.564 = 96,204 pieces. If you round up, you get 97 strips.
• If translated into packages: N2 = K: n = 97: 8 = 12.125 units.

In the second case, it turned out to be 1 more board. Often the difference is up to 10 strips. This is because the first method does not take into account production waste. It is believed that the second method is more accurate than the first when calculating the amount of laminate required per room.

When finishing large rooms, the second method of counting is more in demand. Basically, in different rooms the same laminate is laid with the same type of pattern, so you can start laying the flooring in the next room not with a solid strip, but with a section left after the work in the previous room.

The first method is used for calculations in cases where the number of products in width has an integer value without the formation of fractions.

Note! Do not forget about the compensation joints, which will be formed when the laminate indents from the walls to 1.5 cm. In addition, you must take into account the configuration of rooms in which there are often gaps for transitions to adjacent small rooms.

In the end, using the roulette, you will need to calculate the required footage of the plinth, which you need to buy with a small margin.

Additional rules

• If the laminate strips are installed directly, then to the calculated number of products you need to add 5% of the material that will fit. With diagonal mounting of the “herringbone” type, a certain number must be added already 10%.
• It is necessary to buy products from laminate in proportion to the packages. The estimated area of ​​the room should be divided by the number of meters in one pack.
• The room in length and width can be measured with a plank, which, with a known size, you need to attach the required number of times exactly to the wall. Having thus learned the necessary numbers, they need to be multiplied to determine the area of ​​the room and add 5% to the total value.

Useful tips

• Before calculating the material, it is necessary to draw a diagram of the room on which to carry out the installation of the laminate on a piece of paper. On the drawing, you need to accurately apply all the elements that are in the room - columns and thresholds, niches and radiators, projections and baseboards.
• The layout of the room should be drawn up in detail with the required dimensions of each part. A good drawing will be a reliable assistant in solving the problem, how to calculate the amount of laminate correctly.

Note! Measurement of the area of ​​the room is carried out on the floor surface, since the walls of the room may be uneven - this will lead to significant errors.

• When choosing a laminate, you should consider the compatibility of the size of the panel with the area of ​​the room to avoid unnecessary costs.
• You need to carefully read the picture of the laminate, which is depicted on the pack. Together with the labeling it gives the necessary information about the product being purchased.

• To save on the quality of the floor product is impractical. The high cost indicates excellent technical characteristics of the material, which will serve much longer than cheap goods.
• You need to know that when curly laying laminate cutting will take about 30% of the material. This type of installation is not very economical, but at the same time it looks advantageous.
• After calculating the amount of laminate, it is necessary to make allowance for defective material, which is not possible to change in every shop.
• When transporting goods, there is always a certain danger of damaging the coating, so you must be especially vigilant during transportation so as not to buy additional products.
• At installation of a laminate the human factor sometimes works. For example, there may be a problem with the locking ridge or excessive force is applied when installing the bar. In any case, there are many factors that may lead to the need to use additional volume of material. 

You can calculate the amount of laminate with the help of special calculators, but self-calculation will always give the best result.

Video

This video shows the work with one of the online calculators.