Flooring installation projects are their own unique science (and art), but you may be wondering why extra pieces of floor are brought in, even when measurements are taken. Extra pieces of flooring are very important to the installation process. Most jobs, even DIY installations will probably end with these extra pieces. So how much extra flooring should you buy? And how much should be left over when you finish? This Flohr guide breaks it all down.
How much flooring should you save?
At the end of a project, save all the pieces that you have left over, except for the ones that can’t be utilized in any further projects or repairs. In order to have these leftover pieces, you’re going to have to measure out extra materials to your measurements. That’s right, you’re going to have to buy more than you think you’ll need.
How much extra flooring should you buy?
You’ll need an overage of flooring material for a successful project. The type of material you’re using for the installation will determine how much overage you should be shooting for.
But why should you need more than you intend to use? Well, for one, having more is always better than having less. In addition, these extra pieces can be utilized to match cuts, match color tones, and help fix potential mistakes made during the installation process.
Generally, you can expect to waste around 5 – 7% of the purchased flooring for square rooms, 10 for rectangular rooms and 15% for rooms with multiple angles. When taking in your measurements, round up to the nearest decimal point and add this waste factor to your overall estimates.
Material-wise, you should probably buy 20% extra hardwood, 10% extra for wall-to-wall carpeting and, depending on the size, 5 to 15% ceramic tiles.
Why should you buy extra flooring?
In addition to addressing the problems from above, keeping that extra flooring can be essential down the road. For example, your floors could one day be damaged in a specific area. Those extra pieces could be used to repair the damaged section without you having to buy whole new pieces. When your project is completed, take the extra pieces and store them in a space you can easily get to later, such as an attic or a garage storage unit.
Let Flohr handle the measurements
You can measure out the additional 20% hardwood you think you’ll need for your project, or you can hire professionals who will handle all those details for you. That way, you can get back to handling the rest of life’s responsibilities. With over 20 years of experience in flooring and flooring supplies, Flohr is well-versed in customer satisfaction. So give us a call today to schedule your FREE estimate.
