How much waste should I allow for laminate flooring?

For a standard straight (parallel) lay, allow around 5% waste to cover cuts at walls and doorways. If you're laying diagonally or in a herringbone pattern, increase that to 10 to 15% because every wall edge requires angled cuts that produce more unusable offcuts.

Does laying pattern affect how many packs I need?

Yes. Diagonal and herringbone patterns require roughly 10% more material than a straight lay. The angled cuts at each wall produce shorter offcuts that are too small to reuse, so you go through more planks to cover the same area.

How many planks are in a pack of laminate flooring?

It varies by brand and product, but most packs contain between 6 and 9 planks. Always check the information printed on the packaging. It lists the number of planks, the individual plank dimensions, and the total coverage per pack in square metres.

Should I buy extra packs beyond what I calculated?

Yes, it is wise to buy one or two extra packs. Mistakes during installation happen, and having spare planks means you can replace damaged boards in the future without struggling to find a colour match from the same production batch.

What is an expansion gap?

An expansion gap is an 8 to 10 mm space left between the flooring and every wall, pipe, or fixed object. All floating floors need one because laminate and wood expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes. Without it, the floor will buckle. The gap is hidden by skirting boards or beading after installation.

Flooring Calculator

Know exactly how many packs to pick up. Your laying pattern and cuts are already factored in.

Room dimensions

Length

Width

Plank size

Laying pattern

Packs needed

12pcs

Room area: 20.00 m²
Area per plank: 2280.0 cm² (0.2280 m²)
Planks (incl. cuts): 93
Total area covered: 21.89 m²
Leftover planks: 3

Flooring Calculator

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