Laminate Flooring Calculator
Laminate floats over a foam underlayment, so you are buying three things: planks by the box, underlayment by the roll and trim for the expansion gap.
How this calculator works
- Boxes = area × (1 + waste) ÷ box coverage, rounded up.
- Underlayment is bought for net area plus 5% for overlaps; seams are butted and taped, not overlapped, on most foam.
- Trim = room perimeter minus about 3 ft per doorway.
Laminate questions
Can laminate go in a bathroom?
Only products rated waterproof by the maker. Standard laminate has a fiberboard core that swells with standing water.
Do I remove baseboards for laminate?
Removing them gives the neatest finish because the baseboard covers the expansion gap. Leaving them means adding quarter-round or shoe molding.
How flat does the subfloor need to be?
Commonly within 3/16 inch over 10 feet, but follow your product’s install guide. High spots are sanded; low spots are filled with patch.