Measuring most rooms is relatively easy and to help you we have produced a simple guide. If you would prefer us to work out how much you need simply sketch out your room, along with all the room sizes on the room planning sheet and fax it to us (the fax number are on the sheet). We will do the hard work for you and let you know what you need. This is a free, no obligation service.

If you require any assistance we will be delighted to help. E-mail us admin@flooringtogo.com

A basic room

Rectangular rooms are relatively straightforward to measure. First, sketch out the room marking the position of any doorways. Measure the length and width of the room remembering to take the size including doorway recesses. If the room has alcoves measure the width and depth of them. This may become important should joins be required.

A basic landing

Sketch the area clearly showing doorways and mark where the stairs meet the landing with an X. Measure width and length again remembering to measure into doorways. Also measure over and including the top stair so that the flooring can cover the top stair in one piece (a join on the nose of the stair would cause premature wear).

A Hall

Again sketch the area clearly showing doors and where, if applicable, the stairs begin. Measure into all doorways.

The stairs

There is no need to measure the length of the stairs, simply:-

• Count the number of stairs.
• Measure the length of the tread and riser of one stair. (Marked 'A' on the diagram).
• Measure the width of the stair (as a precaution check two or three other stairs to ensure they are all the same size).

The amount of flooring that you will need to cover the stairs will be the number of stairs times the length of dimension "A". However, because most floorings are made in broadloom widths (either 4m or 12'), you will need to plan your stairs. We would always recommend that you allow us to plan your stairs from your measurements or seek the services of a professional.

If you intend to use a professional to install your flooring why not ask him to measure the room for you first. Most reputable installers will do this free of charge as part of their service.

So how much help do I need?

Now you have the sizes of the room how do you know the amount of flooring to order.

For a normal room it is relatively straightforward. flooring is produced in set widths usually 4 metres wide (13'1" imperial) or 3.66 metres wide (12' imperial).

Diagram A

This example of a room 3.85m x 4.57m (or 12'7" x 15').

The flooring selected is manufactured 4m wide only. In this instance we would use the 4m width of the flooring to cover the 3.85m width of the room.

The length to order would be 4.57 plus a small tolerance of around 10 cm (three or four inches) to allow for fitting. The size to order would be 4.65 x 4.00m (15'3" x 13'1").

Diagram B1

Here we see a more complicated room that is wider than the width that the flooring is made in. Obviously the flooring will need to be joined.

Diagram B2

This can be achieved by adding the extra material onto the length. This extra flooring will need to be cut off then turned around and joined in two pieces (X/Y).

While this is the most economical method of covering the area, the pile of the two smaller pieces will run in the opposite direction to the main piece. In plan floorings this will cause shade difference and patterned floorings will not match.

Diagram B3

A far better method is to split the flooring so that the pile runs in the same direction as the main piece of flooring. On plain floorings this will ensure no shade difference between different places.

More flooring is usually required for this method making it slightly more costly and it does require more joins, however, the finished effect is often much better.