Flooring Calculator

Boxes of laminate, vinyl plank or hardwood plus underlayment.

Flooring boxes

10 boxes

Floor area

168 sq ft

Flooring to buy

185 sq ftincludes 10% waste

Boxes

10 boxes~20 sq ft per box (check yours)

Underlayment

2 rolls100 sq ft foam rolls

Flooring cost (est.)

$416~$2.25/sq ft economy laminate

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Click-together laminate and luxury vinyl plank are the most DIY-friendly floors there is — no nails, no glue, just a flat subfloor and a little patience. A floating floor over good underlayment goes down fast and looks pro if you nail the prep.

DifficultyIntermediate

TimeA weekend for an average room

SkillsComfortable measuring and making clean cuts; easy on the knees with pads

Tools you'll need

Tapping block, pull bar, and spacers
Utility knife or miter/jamb saw
Tape measure and chalk line
Underlayment (if not pre-attached)
Knee pads and a rubber mallet

Step by step

Acclimate the flooringLeave the unopened boxes in the room 48 hours so the planks adjust to its temperature and humidity.
Flatten and clean the subfloorThe subfloor must be flat (within ~3/16" over 10 ft), clean, and dry. Sand high spots, fill low ones — bumps telegraph through and pop seams.
Roll out underlaymentLay underlayment (unless the planks have it attached) for cushion, sound, and a moisture break over concrete.
Plan the layoutMeasure so you don't end with a sliver row, and run planks the long way / toward the main light. Stagger end joints at least 6".
Click rows with an expansion gapLeave a 1/4–3/8" expansion gap at every wall (hidden by baseboard/quarter-round). Click rows together, tapping snug with the block.
Add transitionsFinish doorways and floor changes with transition strips, and reinstall baseboard or shoe molding.