When it comes to flooring in your home, vinyl is a popular choice. It is durable, easy to maintain, and comes in a variety of colors and designs. But before you go shopping for vinyl flooring, it is important to know how much you will need for your project. Knowing how much you need in advance can save you time, money, and hassle. Here are some tips to help you calculate how much vinyl flooring you need.
Measuring the Room
The first step to determining how much vinyl flooring you need is to measure the room. Be sure to measure the length and width of the room and record the measurements in inches. If the room is not perfectly square, divide the room into manageable sections and measure and record each section’s length and width. Once you have all the measurements, add them up to get the total square footage of the room.
Calculating the Amount Needed
Once you have the total square footage of the room, you can calculate the amount of vinyl flooring that you need. Most vinyl flooring comes in rolls or planks that are either 12 or 15 feet wide. To calculate the amount needed, you will need to divide the total square footage of the room by the width of the roll or plank. For example, if the room is 100 square feet and the roll of vinyl is 12 feet wide, you would need 8.3 linear feet (100/12 = 8.3).
Adding Overage
It is always a good idea to add a little extra vinyl flooring to your project. The extra material is called overage, and it will allow you to cover any mistakes or cutouts that you may need to make during the installation process. When calculating the amount of vinyl flooring you need, add at least 5 percent to the total to allow for overage. So, if your project requires 8.3 linear feet of vinyl, you should purchase 8.7 linear feet.
Ordering the Vinyl Flooring
Once you have calculated how much vinyl flooring you need, you can order the material. Most vinyl flooring is sold by the linear foot, so you will need to purchase the number of linear feet that you calculated. If the vinyl flooring is sold in planks or tiles, you will need to calculate how many planks or tiles you need based on the total square footage. When ordering, make sure to check the manufacturer’s website for any special installation instructions and recommendations.
Installation Tips
When installing vinyl flooring, it is important to make sure that the material is installed correctly. Before beginning the installation process, make sure that the subfloor is level and free of any debris. Also, make sure to check the manufacturer’s installation instructions for any special techniques that may be needed. If you are not comfortable installing the vinyl yourself, consider hiring a professional to help.
Conclusion
Knowing how much vinyl flooring you need for your project is an important part of the installation process. The first step is to measure the room and calculate the total square footage. Then, divide the total square footage by the width of the roll or plank and add at least 5 percent for overage. Finally, order the vinyl flooring and make sure to review the manufacturer’s installation instructions. With the right amount of vinyl flooring and the right installation techniques, you can make your project a success.
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