Project guide
How much laminate flooring do I need?
Measure the room, add 10% for cuts, then add underlay, beading for the expansion gap and a door bar for each doorway.
The short answer
Flooring = room length x width x 1.1. A 4 x 3.5m room is 14 m², so buy 15.4 m² of flooring (round up to whole packs), 1 roll of 15 m² underlay, 7 lengths of 2.4m scotia and 1 door bar.
The formula
- Flooring (m²) = length x width x 1.1, rounded up to whole packs
- Underlay rolls = area x 1.05 / roll size (15 m²); not needed if your vinyl has underlay built in
- Scotia or quadrant (2.4m lengths) = (2 x (length + width) - 0.8 x doorways) x 1.1 / 2.4
- Door bars = one per doorway
Worked example
A 4 x 3.5m living room with one doorway, laminate:
- Area: 4 x 3.5 = 14 m²; flooring 14 x 1.1 = 15.4 m²
- Underlay: 14 x 1.05 / 15 = 0.98, so 1 roll
- Edge: 2 x 7.5 - 0.8 = 14.2m; 14.2 x 1.1 / 2.4 = 6.5, so 7 lengths of scotia
- 1 door bar
Materials checklist
- Laminate, engineered or click vinyl flooringSold in packs; the m² per pack is on the box. Buy the area plus 10%.
- Underlay (3mm with moisture barrier)Under laminate and engineered boards. Many click vinyls have it built in.
- Scotia or quadrant beadingCovers the expansion gap at the skirting. 2.4m lengths.
- Door barsOne per doorway, over the expansion gap between rooms.
You'll also need
- Spacers, tapping block and pull bar
- Underlay tape
- Panel pins or grab adhesive for the beading
- Saw, mitre box, tape measure
Step by step
- AcclimatiseLeave the unopened packs flat in the room for 48 hours before fitting.
- Prepare the floorMake sure it is clean, dry and flat. Remove carpet and needle felt.
- Lay the underlayRoll it out one row at a time, in the same direction as the boards, and tape the joins.
- Fit the boardsStart along the longest straight wall with spacers for an 8-10mm gap, and stagger the end joints.
- Finish the edgesRemove the spacers, fit scotia or quadrant to the skirting (not the floor), and fit a door bar at each doorway.
Tips from the manufacturers
- Quick-Step says to leave planks flat in the unopened packs for 48 hours in the room, at 15 to 22°C.
- Quick-Step asks for an expansion gap of at least 8 to 10mm on all sides, around pipes and thresholds, and between rooms under the door.
- Fix beading to the skirting, never to the floor, so the floor can still move.
- Add more than 10% for diagonal or herringbone patterns, or rooms with lots of corners.
Mistakes to avoid
- Buying exactly the room area, then running short on the last row.
- Laying boards straight from a cold van without acclimatising them.
- Skipping the expansion gap, which makes the floor lift or buckle.
- Nailing beading into the floor instead of the skirting.
Frequently asked questions
How much extra laminate should I buy?
Add 10% to the room area for cuts and offcuts, and round up to whole packs. Allow more for diagonal patterns.
Do I need underlay for laminate?
Yes. Quick-Step says always use an underlay. Many click vinyls have one built in, so check the pack before buying a separate one.
How much scotia do I need?
Measure round the room, take off about 0.8m for each doorway, add 10% and divide by 2.4m. A 4 x 3.5m room with one door needs 7 lengths.
How big an expansion gap?
Quick-Step asks for at least 8 to 10mm all round, around pipes and under doors.
Scotia or quadrant?
Both cover the gap. Scotia has a concave face, quadrant a rounded one. Pick whichever matches your skirting.
Sources
Quantities are estimates for typical jobs, using the coverage figures above. Products vary, so check the data sheet for the product you buy, and talk to a professional for structural, electrical or gas work. SmartBuild is independent and not affiliated with any of the manufacturers listed.
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