How To Measure For Vinyl Plank Flooring

How to Measure for Vinyl Plank Flooring: A Complete Guide

Planning a vinyl plank flooring installation? Accurate measurements are crucial for a successful project, preventing costly mistakes and ensuring you have enough materials. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, step-by-step. Let's dive in!

1. Preparation is Key: Gathering Your Tools and Information

Before you even grab your measuring tape, take some time to prepare. This will make the measurement process smoother and more accurate.

What You'll Need:

• Measuring Tape: A long, accurate measuring tape (at least 25 feet) is essential.
• Pencil and Paper: To record your measurements neatly. Avoid relying solely on memory!
• Calculator: For quick calculations of area and square footage.
• Floor Plan (Optional but Recommended): If you have a floor plan, this will significantly streamline the process.
• Notebook: To jot down notes and observations about any irregularities in your floor.

Important Considerations Before You Start:

• Identify the Area: Clearly define the area you’ll be covering with vinyl plank flooring. Are you doing the entire room, or just a portion?
• Check for Obstacles: Note any permanent fixtures like toilets, bathtubs, or built-in cabinets that will need to be measured around.
• Account for Waste: Always add extra to your total square footage. A common rule of thumb is to add 5-10%, depending on the complexity of the room and the pattern of your flooring. More complex patterns often require more waste allowance.
• Underlayment: Remember to include the area for underlayment in your calculations, as this material goes under the vinyl planks.

2. Measuring Your Room: A Step-by-Step Approach

Now it's time to take those measurements. Here's a practical approach, focusing on accuracy and avoiding common pitfalls.

Measuring Rectangular Rooms:

Rectangular rooms are the easiest to measure. Simply:

1. Measure the Length: Measure the longest wall of the room from wall to wall. Record this measurement.
2. Measure the Width: Measure the shortest wall of the room from wall to wall. Record this measurement.
3. Calculate the Area: Multiply the length by the width to get the square footage. (Length x Width = Square Footage).

Measuring Irregularly Shaped Rooms:

For rooms with alcoves, bays, or other irregularities, break the room down into smaller, easily measurable sections (rectangles and squares). Measure each section individually, and then add the square footages of all sections together for the total.

Dealing with Obstacles:

• Measure Around Obstacles: For obstacles like pillars or cabinets, measure the area around them and subtract it from your total square footage.
• Draw a Sketch: A simple sketch can be extremely helpful in visualizing the room and accounting for all the measurements.

3. Calculating the Total and Adding Waste:

Once you've measured all sections, add up the individual square footages. Remember the crucial step of adding extra for waste:

• Add Waste: Add 5-10% to the total square footage to account for cuts, mistakes, and potential damage during installation. This ensures you have enough materials to complete the job without running short.

4. Ordering Your Vinyl Plank Flooring:

With your final square footage calculated (including waste), you're ready to order! Remember to verify the square footage needed per box of vinyl planks with the retailer before placing your order to make sure you buy enough boxes to cover the space.

Conclusion: Accuracy Equals Success

Precise measurement is the cornerstone of a successful vinyl plank flooring project. By following these steps and taking your time, you can confidently calculate the correct amount of flooring needed, saving time, money, and frustration down the line. Happy flooring!