Measuring a room accurately is an essential component of choosing and purchasing the correct size and type of hardwood flooring for any given space. Here, we will be discussing step-by-step instructions on how to properly measure a room for new hardwood floor installation.
We’ll explore topics like calculating square footage, identifying common mistakes when measuring your space, and ways to ensure accuracy when starting the process of buying new hardwood floors!
If you want to take on the task of hardwood flooring installation yourself, accurate room measurements are an absolute must. Knowing how large a space is and its exact dimensions will make things go much simpler when deciding what type of hardwood flooring to buy and in what quantity.
If measurements aren’t carefully taken, your project might suffer from costly mistakes that end up taking longer than they need to – and quite possibly become more expensive. In this post, we’ll provide helpful tips on how to measure a room for hardwood flooring skillfully, quickly, and cost-effectively!
Why May You Want to Measure a Room for Hardwood Flooring?
1. To Determine the Total Square Footage of Flooring Required
One of the main reasons why you may want to measure a room for hardwood flooring is to determine the total square footage of flooring required. This will help ensure that you buy enough material, and not too much.
2. To Get an Accurate Quote from Your Flooring Professional
Another reason why you may want to measure a room for hardwood flooring is in order to get an accurate quote from your flooring professional. Knowing the exact size of the room you’re installing the flooring in will ensure that your contractor is able to come up with a more accurate estimate for how much it will cost to install your hardwood floors.
3. To Calculate How Long It Will Take to Install
Lastly, measuring a room for hardwood flooring can also help you calculate how long it will take to install. If your contractor knows the size of the room, they can estimate roughly how long it will take them to finish the job. This is helpful for budgeting and planning purposes.
How to Measure a Room for Hardwood Flooring in 5 Easy Steps
Now that we know why measuring a room for hardwood flooring is important, let’s look at how it’s done.
Step 1: Gather All The Tools
The very first step is to make sure you have everything you need. You’ll want a tape measure, a pencil, and paper for taking notes. Also, make sure to have a calculator handy.
Step 2: Measure the Room’s Length and Width
The next step is to measure the length and width of the room where you’ll be installing your hardwood flooring. Be sure to use the longest points in any given area so that your measurements are as accurate as possible.
Step 3: Determine the Square Footage of the Room
Once you have the length and width measurements, it’s time to calculate the square footage. To do this, simply multiply the two numbers together. For example, if the room’s length is 12 feet and the width is 10 feet, your square footage would be 120 (12×10).
Step 4: Calculate the Amount of Flooring Needed
Next, you will need to calculate how much flooring you will need for the entire project. To do this, take the total square footage of the room and multiply it by 1.2 to get the total square footage. This will give you an extra 10% for any miscalculations or mistakes that may occur down the line.
Step 5: Select Your Flooring
Finally, you can now select your flooring! Make sure to take into account any additional features like trim or pieces that you may need to complete the project. Also, be sure to purchase enough flooring to cover the entire square footage of the room.
By following these five steps, you’ll have everything needed for a successful hardwood flooring installation! Make sure to double-check your measurements and calculations just to be extra sure before you make any purchases. Good luck!
Some Extra Tips to Measure a Room for Hardwood Flooring
1. Do Not Forget the Width of the Room
While calculating the length and width, make sure to not forget to measure both sides of the room. This will ensure that you have an accurate measurement for your flooring needs. Also, make sure to double-check your measurements.
2. Include the Doors and Windows in Your Measurement
When measuring a room for hardwood flooring, remember to include any doorways or windows that could affect how much flooring you will need. You want to make sure that you are able to cover the entire area of the room when laying the flooring.
3. Write Down Your Measurements
Once you have taken all of the measurements for the room, write them down in a notebook or on a piece of paper to keep track of them. This will help make sure that you do not forget any crucial information and will also make it easier when entering your measurements into a calculator or other tool to help determine how much flooring you will need.
4. Use a Calculator for Accurate Measurements
Once you have all of your measurements written down, use an online calculator or other tool to help determine how much hardwood flooring you will need. This will ensure that you get the most accurate measurements and that you do not purchase too much or too little flooring.
5. Measure the Room Twice
When measuring a room for hardwood flooring, it is always important to measure twice. This will help make sure that you have not missed any crucial dimensions and that your measurements are accurate.
By following these tips, you can be sure that you get an accurate measurement of a room so that you know how much hardwood flooring to purchase. This will save you time, money and effort in the long run. Happy measuring!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Precautions Should I Take Before Measuring?
Before getting out the measuring tape, it’s important to make sure that you understand what measurements need to be taken. You should also familiarize yourself with any safety precautions before beginning. Make sure the room is free of obstructions and the floors are clear. Additionally, take off your shoes when measuring for a hardwood floor, as this can help ensure the most accurate measurements.
What Measurements Should I Record?
When measuring a room for hardwood flooring, you should record the length and width of the area in both feet and inches. Additionally, record any unusual angles or alcoves that need to be accounted for in your measurements.
Don’t forget to measure doorways, closets, and any other entryways that are part of the flooring project. Finally, take note of any transitions or obstacles that may need to be worked around when installing the hardwood flooring.
How Can I Make Sure My Measurements Are Accurate?
To ensure accuracy, it’s important to check your measurements multiple times before recording them. Additionally, you should double-check any measurements that were taken with a calculator to make sure there are no errors. Finally, when measuring an oddly shaped room or area, it can be helpful to draw a sketch of the room and take note of any obstacles that may affect the installation process.
Can I Measure the Room Myself?
Yes, you can measure a room for hardwood flooring on your own. However, it is highly recommended to have an experienced professional come in and check the measurements to ensure accuracy. Having a professional involved can also help guarantee that any installation problems or mistakes are avoided.
What Happens If I Make an Error in My Measurements?
If you make an error in your measurements, it could lead to the wrong amount of hardwood flooring being ordered. This can be costly and time-consuming to fix, so it’s important to double-check all measurements taken.
Additionally, if there is an installation issue due to a mistake in your measurements, that could also result in additional costs. It is always best to measure carefully and have a professional verify your results. Also, make sure to read any installation instructions before proceeding with the project.
Conclusion
Measuring a room for hardwood flooring may seem intimidating, but with the right tools and approach it is absolutely doable. Start by accurately measuring the length and width of the room at its longest and widest points—and don’t forget to allow for overhang on either side. Mark off any obstructions such as built in or protruding objects within the room that you need to work around.
Calculate the total square footage by multiplying the length times the width to get your total square footage needed. Finally, consider purchasing 10% extra to account for waste and mistakes. With these steps on how to measure a room for hardwood flooring, you can confidently move forward to measure any room in your home for hardwood flooring.
