When the time comes to give your home a fresh look, few improvements can compare to the impact of new flooring. Whether you envision the warm, rich tones of wood, the sleek, contemporary feel of laminate, or the plush comfort of carpet, the first and foremost question that springs to mind is: "How much flooring do I need?"
First, take a breath and step into this with a calculated approach. After all, calculating flooring doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as finding the right tool, breaking it down into steps, and adding a pinch of math. And believe me, seeing your rooms transformed will be worth the effort.
Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, and let's dive into this adventure together. Imagine us, tape measures in hand, ready to transform your house into a home with extraordinary wall panels and flooring from From The Forest. So, without further ado, let's start measuring up!
Step 1: Define Your Spaces
What Rooms Are You Covering?
First, you'll need to define the spaces that will be undergoing the makeover. This might sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how an extra hallway or small bathroom might slip your mind. Make a list, check it twice, and ensure you've accounted for every nook and cranny.
Understanding Room Shapes
Rooms aren't always perfectly rectangular or square (unless you live in some over-the-moon equivalent of a perfect world). Some spaces might have bay windows, closets, or odd angles; we must account for them all. Start with listing rooms with standard shapes separately from those with complex shapes.
Step 2: Measuring Your Spaces
Tools You'll Need
When you ask yourself, "How much flooring do I need?" you'll need a few tools to aid in the answer:
- Measuring tape (a good, sturdy one)
- Notepad (I'm thinking of a chic, stylish one, but any will do)
- Calculator (don't worry, no advanced trigonometry here)
- Pencil or pen (erasers are a bonus if you're prone to mistakes like me)
Measure and Record
For each room, measure the length and the width. To do this, bring your tape measure to one side of the room, stretch it over to the other, and note the distance. Do the same for the width.
For instance, if your living room measures 15 feet in length and 10 feet in width, jot down "Living Room: 15 ft x 10 ft". Do this for every space on your list, and soon, you'll have a whole bunch of lovely numbers to work with.
Whoops, Odd Shapes!
If your room has an odd shape, break it down into smaller rectangular sections. Measure each section's length and width, then combine them to get the total area. Treat each section like its own mini room in terms of calculation.
A tip here: a sketch can be incredibly handy. Draw out the shape of your room and break it into smaller rectangles visually before recording the measurements.
Step 3: Doing the Calculation
The Simple Math
Here comes the math bit, but don't be alarmed; it's quite friendly. To find out how much flooring you need for a single rectangular room, use this formula:
Room Area = Length x Width
For our living room example:
Room Area = 15 ft x 10 ft = 150 square feet
Do this for each room or section on your list. Add up all these individual areas to get the total square footage of flooring required for your home.
Why You Need Extra: The Buffer
No matter how precise our measurements are, mistakes and mishaps happen. Or maybe you want to keep a few planks aside for future repairs. Hence, always plan for a buffer by adding an additional 10% to your total calculated amount. This ensures you'll have enough material, even with slight mismeasures or pattern matching.
Again, don't worry! To account for this, use:
Total Flooring Needed = Total Room Area + (Total Room Area x 0.10)
For example, if your total room area comes to 1,000 square feet,
Total Flooring Needed = 1,000 sq ft + (1,000 sq ft x 0.10) = 1,100 sq ft
Step 4: Special Cases
Stairs and Landings
Stairs and landings need some special love here. Measure the tread (the part you step on) and the riser (the vertical part) separately. For each stair, calculate their total area:
Stair Area = Tread Length x Tread Width + Riser Height x Tread Width
Multiply the result by the number of stairs. Add the landing area separately.
Patterned and Diagonal Layouts
If you plan to lay your flooring in a specific pattern (herringbone, anyone?) or diagonally, you'll need additional material for more cutting and fitting. Generally, increase your buffer from 10% to around 15% for these styles.
Step 5: Choose Your Flooring Wisely
The Material Matters
Have you got your measurements? Fantastic! Now, let's talk about choosing your flooring. From The Forest offers an exceptional range of wall panels and flooring options, each boasting superior topcoat finishes and unparalleled strength.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
Conscious about sourcing? Good news! From The Forest is committed to sustainable sourcing, ensuring you can make stylish choices without compromising on environmental values.
Step 6: Time to Buy
Why From The Forest?
You've got your measurements. You know exactly how much flooring you need. Now, it's time to choose your materials. When you shop with From The Forest, you're not just buying flooring; you're investing in American ingenuity and top-notch quality. Our flooring and wall panels will elevate your space with a natural allure that stands the test of time.
Measuring Up to Your Expectations
At From The Forest, we pride ourselves on ensuring our clients get the best experience. When you choose us, you're choosing exceptional quality, unmatched durability, and eco-friendliness all rolled into one.
Elevate Your Flooring with From The Forest
So, are you ready to embark on this exciting journey to transform your home? Explore our extensive range of wall panels and flooring. Calculate precisely how much flooring you need, and let our extraordinary products elevate your space to new heights.
Experience the difference with us. Discover the transformation your home deserves with the quality, natural allure, and superior topcoat finish that can only be found at From The Forest. Let's get started on making your home the sanctuary of your dreams!