When planning your flooring project, the standard industry recommendation is to add 10% to 15% to your total square footage calculation. This extra amount accounts for waste generated by cutting planks at the ends of rows, mistakes, and potential damage during the installation process. If your room features a complex layout, such as multiple doorways, closets, corners, or non-rectangular shapes, you should lean toward the higher end of that percentage range to ensure you don't run out of material in the middle of the job. Additionally, if you are installing the flooring in a specific pattern, such as herringbone, chevron, or diagonal, you must order significantly more—typically 20% or more—due to the increased number of cuts required at the perimeter of the room. Always save a few extra boxes from the same production batch even after the job is complete. This 'attic stock' is invaluable for future repairs, as flooring collections, colors, and locking systems can change, making it nearly impossible to find a perfect match years down the road.
Key considerations
- how much extra LVP order
- laminate waste percentage
- vinyl plank attic stock
- LVP waste factor
- laminate overage
- extra flooring