Flooring calculator

Add 5–7% for straight laying in a simple rectangular room, 10% for diagonal laying, and around 15% for herringbone. Rooms with many corners, alcoves or angled walls also push waste toward 10%. Keep one unopened box for future repairs.

Leave a 3/8 in (8–10 mm) gap along every wall, pipe and door frame — floating floors move with humidity. The skirting covers the gap later; never screw or nail a floating floor down.

Yes: keep the unopened boxes flat in the room for at least 48 hours at normal living temperature and humidity. Skipping this step is the main cause of gaps and buckling after installation.

The classic rule is parallel to the main light source or along the longest wall of the room — both make the floor look larger and the joints less visible. In hallways always lay along the direction of walking.