How Much Extra Flooring Should You Buy When You Upgrade Your Home?

Upgrading your home's flooring can add value and style to your space. However, when buying new flooring, it's important to consider how much extra you should buy to account for waste, future repairs, and unexpected issues. Here are some tips for determining how much extra flooring you should purchase.

1. Calculate the square footage

Before buying any flooring, you'll need to calculate the square footage of the room(s) you plan to install it in. Measure the length and width of each room and multiply the two numbers together to get the square footage. If the room is an irregular shape, divide it into smaller, more manageable sections and measure each section separately.

2. Add extra for waste

Once you have the total square footage, it's important to add extra for waste. This will account for any mistakes or unusable pieces of flooring. The amount of extra you'll need will depend on the type of flooring you're purchasing. For example, if you're installing tile, you'll want to add an extra 10-15% for waste. If you're installing hardwood, you may only need to add an extra 5-7%.

3. Consider future repairs

When buying extra flooring, it's also a good idea to consider future repairs. If a section of your flooring becomes damaged or needs to be replaced, you'll want to have extra flooring on hand to ensure a seamless repair. Consider buying an extra box or two of flooring to keep in storage just in case.

4. Account for unexpected issues

Finally, it's important to account for any unexpected issues that may arise during the installation process. For example, if your subfloor is uneven or damaged, you may need to purchase extra materials to fix the issue before installing the new flooring.

In general, it's recommended to buy an extra 10-15% of flooring to account for waste, repairs, and unexpected issues. This extra flooring can save you time and money in the long run by ensuring that your flooring project goes smoothly and that you have enough materials on hand for any future repairs.

Upgrading your home's flooring can be a great investment. By calculating the square footage, adding extra for waste, considering future repairs, and accounting for unexpected issues, you can ensure that your flooring project is a success. Happy flooring!

Need Help Installing Floors in Your Home? Ask the Experts at Factory Flooring

What type of underlayment should you use? How many inches thick? How do you install it? And how do you avoid damaging your floors in the process? 

When you work with Factory Flooring, you don’t have to worry about these questions. Our team of professional flooring installers will handle all the heavy lifting for you — literally. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the savings on your energy bill. 

Need to get more flooring ideas first? Our design blog has dozens of articles to help you get started. Whenever you’re ready to tackle your insulation project, we’ll be here to help. Contact us online to get started, or call Factory Flooring at 469-583-7053