Laminate and hybrid flooring is sold in packs that cover a fixed area, printed on the box. The count is the floor area plus a cutting allowance, divided by that figure.
Pack coverage
Wickes lists 8 mm laminate at 2.22 m² a pack, 9 planks. Bunnings lists a 6 mm hybrid at 2.2 m² a pack, 10 planks, with underlay attached. Other ranges differ, so check the box.
Packs for common rooms
A 14 m² room with 10% for cuts needs 15.4 m². At 2.22 m² that is 6.9 packs, so 7. At 2.2 m² it is exactly 7.
| Floor | UK 2.22 m², 10% | AU 2.2 m², 10% | UK, 15% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 m² | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| 12 m² | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| 14 m² | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| 20 m² | 10 | 10 | 11 |
| 30 m² | 15 | 15 | 16 |
How much to add
Ten per cent suits a straight lay in a plain room. Many doorways, an L-shaped room, a herringbone pattern or a diagonal lay waste more; 15% is safer there.
Keep a spare pack. Ranges change, and a matching plank is hard to find a few years later.
What else to buy
Underlay covers the floor area without the cutting allowance, unless it is already attached to the planks. Beading or new skirting, door bars and thresholds are bought by the length. The expansion gap at the walls is hidden by the skirting and is not taken off the area.
On a concrete floor that is not level, the Floor screed calculator gives the sand and cement for a new screed.
Figures are estimates for a shopping list. Check the pack or datasheet before you buy.