Laying pattern
Packs needed
10
20 m² room · 22 m² to buy · 5% waste
Your figures, your sums - nothing is sent anywhere. For a room that is not a rectangle, split it into rectangles and add the areas. Underlay, trims and beading are extra.
How much laminate a room needs
Multiply the length by the width for the floor area, then add waste for the cuts. Boards laid straight need about 5%, diagonal about 10%, and herringbone about 15%.
Divide by the coverage of one pack (printed on the pack, often around 2 m²) and round up to whole packs.
A worked example
A room 5 m × 4 m is 20 m². With 5% waste you need 21 m². At 2.2 m² a pack that is 10 packs, which is 22 m².
Laid in herringbone the same room needs 23 m², so 11 packs.
Common mistakes
Measuring the room at its widest and forgetting alcoves, bay windows and the area under radiators.
Forgetting the extras: underlay, expansion gap trims, door bars, scotia or beading and the vapour barrier on concrete.
JobGuard puts the materials on your quote with your markup and suggests what is easy to miss.
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Questions
How much extra laminate should I buy?
About 5% for straight laying, 10% for diagonal and 15% for herringbone. A room with many alcoves or doorways needs a little more.
Does herringbone use more flooring?
Yes. Every board is cut at both ends along the walls, so herringbone wastes more than straight boards.
How do I measure an L-shaped room?
Split it into rectangles, work out each area and add them together.