Before purchasing new flooring, one of the most important steps is accurately measuring your space. Whether you’re installing tile, hardwood, vinyl, laminate, carpet, or another flooring material, knowing the correct square footage helps you order the right amount of product, estimate project costs, and avoid delays.
At Tile Liquidators, we provide more than just materials; we provide the expert guidance to ensure your selections coordinate perfectly, and last for years. Our experts can help you assess your needs, educate you on the upkeep required, and connect you with the local professional teams who have the expertise to do the job right.
While measuring a room may seem simple, accounting for irregular layouts, transitions, and installation waste is essential for a successful flooring project. This step-by-step guide explains how our Tile Liquidators installation team measures your room, calculates square footage, and determines how much extra flooring you should purchase. Or, if you decide to go the DIY route, let our expertise give you the tools necessary to complete your dream renovation project!
What You Need to Measure Your Room
Before getting started, gather a few basic tools:
- Measuring tape or laser distance measurer
- Pencil and paper
- Calculator
- Graph paper or a room sketch
- Tape measure for smaller details
Step 1: Draw a Simple Floor Plan
- Walls and corners
(Photo via Milan Design + Build) - Doorways
- Closets
- Built-in features
- Areas where flooring will not be installed
For simple rectangular rooms, measurements are straightforward. For larger or irregular spaces, dividing the room into smaller sections makes calculations much easier.
Step 2: Measure the Length and Width
Measure the longest points of the room from wall to wall.
For a rectangular or square room:
Length × Width = Square Footage
Be sure to measure at floor level rather than relying on estimates from architectural drawings, as walls may not always be perfectly straight.
Step 3: Divide Irregular Rooms Into Sections
Measure each section separately – This method helps ensure you purchase enough flooring without significantly overestimating material needs.
Step 4: Measure Closets and Additional Areas
It is often helpful to include closets when ordering materials because continuing the same flooring into these spaces creates a more seamless appearance.
Step 5: Calculate Your Waste Factor
A common mistake homeowners make is ordering only the exact square footage needed. Flooring materials require extra product because of cuts, mistakes, pattern matching, and damaged pieces. This extra material is called the waste factor.
- Tile Flooring: Order approximately 10% extra for standard installations. For complex layouts, diagonal patterns, or large-format tile, consider 15% extra.
- Hardwood Flooring: Order approximately 5–10% extra depending on the installation method and room layout.
- Laminate Flooring: Most laminate manufacturers recommend 5–10% extra.
- LVT Flooring: Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) generally require 5–10% extra.
- Carpet: Carpet waste varies depending on room shape and roll width. Professional measurement is often recommended because seams and layout planning affect material requirements.
How to Calculate Waste:
The formula is simple:
Room square footage × Waste percentage = Extra material needed
Then:
Room square footage + Extra material = Total flooring to purchase
Step 6: Consider Flooring Direction and Layout
The direction flooring runs can affect how much material you need. Installing planks diagonally, creating patterns, or matching tile designs often requires additional cuts and more waste.
Popular layout considerations include:
- Running hardwood or laminate parallel to the longest wall
- Centering tile patterns in visible areas
- Planning transitions between rooms
- Matching patterns in decorative materials
Step 7: Double-Check Measurements Before Ordering
Before finalizing your flooring purchase:
- Recheck all measurements
- Confirm total square footage
- Add the appropriate waste factor
- Verify package coverage from the manufacturer
- Consider future repairs by saving extra material
Tips For More Accurate Flooring Measurements
For the best results:
- Measure every room individually
- Measure twice to confirm accuracy
- Include closets and connecting spaces
- Account for unusual corners and built-ins
(Photo via Renovation Husbands) - Purchase extra flooring for future repairs
- Consult a flooring professional for complicated layouts
Get Ready For Your Flooring Project
Accurate measurements are the foundation of a successful flooring installation. Taking the time to calculate your room size, account for waste, and plan your layout helps prevent ordering too little material or spending unnecessarily on excess product.
Whether you are installing tile, hardwood, vinyl, laminate, or carpet, a careful measurement process ensures your project starts with the right amount of flooring and leads to a beautiful finished result.
Stop by any of Tile Liquidators’ three locations – Gadsden, Albertville, and Huntsville – and get connected with our team of experts! We can help you assess your needs, educate you on the upkeep required, and connect you with our local professional installation team who have the expertise to do the job right.