UK Flooring Calculator - Area, Packs & Cost
Calculate Flooring Materials for Your UK Project
Whether you're fitting laminate, engineered wood, solid hardwood, LVT or vinyl flooring, our calculator helps you work out exactly how much material to buy. Includes waste allowances for different layouts, underlay requirements, and pack quantities based on UK standard sizing.
UK Flooring Types Comparison
Understanding flooring types helps you choose the right option for each room. Here's a comprehensive comparison of flooring options available at UK retailers.
Standard UK Flooring Pack Sizes
Flooring pack sizes vary by brand and retailer. Use these typical UK pack coverages to calculate how many packs you need.
Waste Allowance Guide by Layout Pattern
Different laying patterns require different waste allowances due to cutting requirements. Complex room shapes also increase waste.
Straight / Brick Pattern
Standard pattern with staggered joints. Most economical layout with minimal waste. Suitable for rectangular rooms.
Diagonal / 45°
Planks laid at 45° angle to walls. Creates visual interest but increases cutting waste at all edges.
Herringbone
Classic zigzag pattern using shorter planks. Requires precise cuts at borders. Popular for period properties.
Chevron
V-shaped pattern with mitre-cut plank ends. Highest waste factor. Creates striking visual impact in large rooms.
Additional Waste for Room Complexity
- Bay windows: Add 2-3% extra waste
- Multiple alcoves: Add 3-5% extra waste
- L-shaped rooms: Add 5% extra waste
- Multiple doorways: Add 1-2% per doorway
- Radiator pipes: Consider extra for intricate cuts
Flooring Calculation Formulas
Room Area
For L-shaped rooms, calculate each section separately and add together.
Total with Waste
Example: 20m² room with 10% waste = 20 × 1.10 = 22m²
Packs Needed
Always round UP. Example: 22m² ÷ 2.0m²/pack = 11 packs
Total Cost
Add accessories: scotia, door bars, adhesive as needed.
Worked Example
Living room: 5.2m × 4.1m with herringbone pattern
- Room area: 5.2 × 4.1 = 21.32m²
- Herringbone waste (18%): 21.32 × 0.18 = 3.84m²
- Total flooring needed: 21.32 + 3.84 = 25.16m²
- Packs needed (2.0m² packs): 25.16 ÷ 2.0 = 12.58 → 13 packs
- At £35/m²: 26m² (13 packs) × £35 = £910
- Underlay (3mm foam) at £3/m²: 26 × £3 = £78
- Total materials: £988
Underlay Guide for UK Flooring
Choosing the right underlay is essential for flooring performance, comfort, and longevity. Different flooring types require different underlay specifications.
UK Flooring Costs 2024-2025
Current UK flooring prices including materials, underlay, and installation. Prices vary by region and retailer.
Laminate Flooring
- Budget (AC3): £8-15/m²
- Mid-range (AC4): £15-30/m²
- Premium (AC5): £30-50/m²
- Quick-Step range: £25-45/m²
- Installation: £8-15/m²
Engineered Wood
- Budget: £30-45/m²
- Mid-range: £45-65/m²
- Premium oak: £65-100/m²
- Herringbone: £50-80/m²
- Installation: £12-20/m²
Solid Hardwood
- Standard oak: £50-80/m²
- Premium oak: £80-120/m²
- Exotic hardwoods: £100-200/m²
- Reclaimed: £80-150/m²
- Installation: £20-35/m²
LVT & Vinyl
- LVT click: £20-40/m²
- LVT glue-down: £25-50/m²
- Karndean: £35-60/m²
- Vinyl sheet: £10-25/m²
- Installation: £8-15/m²
Complete Project Cost Examples
- Laminate (22m²): £550
- Underlay: £66
- Scotia/beading: £40
- Door bars: £30
- DIY Total: £686
- Pro fitting: +£250
- Engineered (17m²): £935
- Underlay: £68
- Scotia/beading: £35
- Door bars: £20
- DIY Total: £1,058
- Pro fitting: +£280
Where to Buy Flooring in the UK
DIY Stores
- B&Q - Wide laminate/LVT range
- Wickes - Good mid-range options
- Homebase - Budget-friendly
- Screwfix - Trade accounts, bulk buy
Flooring Specialists
- Carpetright - Full flooring range
- Flooring Superstore - Online specialist
- Direct Wood Flooring - Wood & laminate
- Factory Direct Flooring - Discount prices
Premium Brands
- Quick-Step - Premium laminate
- Karndean - Luxury LVT
- Amtico - Designer LVT
- Ted Todd - Premium engineered
Online Retailers
- Amazon UK - Price comparison
- eBay - End of line deals
- Wayfair - Designer options
- UK Flooring Direct - Trade prices
DIY Flooring Installation Tips
Before You Start
- Acclimatise flooring for 48-72 hours minimum
- Check subfloor is level (max 3mm variance per 1m)
- Ensure subfloor is dry (use damp meter)
- Remove all old flooring and adhesive
- Undercut door frames for seamless fit
- Plan starting wall (usually longest straight wall)
During Installation
- Leave 10mm expansion gap around all edges
- Stagger plank end joints by minimum 300mm
- Work from left to right (for right-handers)
- Mix planks from different packs for colour variation
- Check locking mechanism is fully engaged
- Use pull bar for last row and tapping block for sides
Common Mistakes
- Not leaving expansion gaps (causes buckling)
- Starting against uneven wall without packers
- Laying over damp concrete without DPM
- Fixing flooring down (must float freely)
- Cutting planks too short at row ends
- Using wrong underlay type for floor heating
Tools Needed
- Tape measure and pencil
- Jigsaw or mitre saw (for cutting)
- Tapping block and pull bar
- Spacers (10mm)
- Knee pads
- Spirit level and straight edge
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate how much flooring I need?
Measure your room's length and width in metres, then multiply them together to get the floor area in square metres (m²). Add a waste allowance of 10% for straight lay patterns, 15% for diagonal or herringbone patterns. For example, a 5m × 4m room = 20m² + 10% waste = 22m² total flooring needed.
What is the best flooring for UK homes?
For high-traffic UK homes, Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) or laminate flooring are excellent choices due to their durability, water resistance, and value. Engineered wood suits living areas and bedrooms, while solid hardwood is ideal for period properties. LVT works well in kitchens and bathrooms. AC4 or AC5 rated laminate handles heavy domestic use.
How many packs of laminate flooring do I need?
Standard laminate flooring packs in the UK cover 1.5m² to 2.5m² depending on the brand and plank size. To calculate packs needed: divide your total area (including waste) by the pack coverage, then round up. For example, 22m² ÷ 2.0m² per pack = 11 packs needed. Always buy at least one extra pack for future repairs.
Do I need underlay for laminate and LVT flooring?
Laminate flooring always requires underlay for moisture protection, sound reduction, and comfort underfoot. Standard underlay is 2-3mm thick. LVT often comes with built-in underlay or requires specific vinyl underlay. Never use laminate underlay with LVT. Over underfloor heating, use compatible underlay with low tog value (maximum 1.0 tog).
What waste allowance should I add for flooring?
Add 10% waste for straight/brick pattern layouts in rectangular rooms. Add 15% for diagonal layouts or rooms with alcoves and bay windows. Add 15-20% for herringbone or chevron patterns. Complex-shaped rooms may need 20% extra. Always round up pack quantities and keep spare planks for future repairs.
How much does flooring cost per m² in the UK in 2025?
UK flooring costs 2024-2025: Budget laminate £8-15/m², mid-range laminate £15-30/m², premium laminate £30-50/m². Engineered wood £30-80/m², solid hardwood £50-150/m². LVT £20-50/m², vinyl sheet £10-25/m². Installation adds £8-20/m² for laminate/LVT, £15-30/m² for solid wood. Underlay costs £2-8/m² extra.
Can I lay laminate flooring over existing floor?
Laminate can be laid over level concrete, plywood, or existing vinyl if it's smooth and firmly attached. It shouldn't be laid over carpet, uneven surfaces, or loose tiles. Check subfloor moisture with a damp meter - maximum 75% relative humidity for concrete. Allow 10mm expansion gap around all edges and never fix laminate to the subfloor.
How long does flooring acclimatise before fitting?
All flooring should acclimatise in the room for at least 48-72 hours before installation. Lay unopened packs flat in the room where they'll be fitted, at normal room temperature (18-22°C). Engineered and solid wood need the longest acclimatisation - up to 7 days for solid hardwood. Never store flooring in garages or sheds.
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Understanding Your Results
Our Flooring Calculator provides:
- Instant calculations - Results appear immediately
- Accurate formulas - Based on official UK standards
- Clear explanations - Understand how results are derived
- 2025/26 updated - Using current rates and regulations
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