How Many Square Feet In A Box Of Wood Flooring Do I Need to Finish My Project?

Most retailers sell hardwood flooring by the box. They’re the long, rectangular cartons located in the home renovation section. Wood floor pieces seldom come in square containers because of how they fit together.

Boxes usually contain about 20 square feet of your chosen wood flooring. However, all flooring cartons come with a bit of extra for good measure. Manufacturers typically send a few spare feet to make up for the waste created during installation. The amount of extra is based on a percentage.

That means each project is different. It also means you have to take some measurements before you begin. Keep in mind that the percentage of spare flooring provided depends on many things. Higher grade wood usually doesn’t come with as much in the box.

Various wood grains may affect the price as well. And so can the amount you’re installing. Some retailers will give you a discount if you buy your supplies in bulk. This generally includes wood flooring purchases of around 1,000 square feet or more.

Engineered hardwoods, natural hardwoods, and solid hardwoods have distinct dimensions. It’s because of the way they’re processed and sold. So, you can expect their boxes to reflect that.

For example, engineered wood products often come in 2-inch by 3-inch pieces (height). Widths can be between five inches and fifteen inches, depending on which cuts you get. For more information on standard wood sizing, speak to a licensed carpenter.

This means that boxes can vary widely in size and volume. Containers with large flooring pieces will naturally hold less. However, the same can be said about higher-quality products like imported woods.

TIP: Find out how many pieces are inside the box. Then, calculate the square footage that it covers, minus the 10% extra. Next, compare that to the space you want to finish. Buy a spare carton for cutting mistakes and incorrect measurements.

If the box you select has 20 feet of product, divide the final number by 20. So, you get this calculation next:

231 ÷ 20 = 11.55

That means you should buy no less than 12 boxes of hardwood flooring to complete a 210 square-foot space. Change the numbers but keep the equation to configure different rooms. And try to use the same product for different spaces to improve the flow.

Don’t forget to account for unpredictable mishaps, special cuts, diagonal pieces, and structural issues. It may be hard to find the same flooring later. So, buy one or two extra boxes if you can afford them.

TIP: Sell what you didn’t use on a local social media sale site to recoup some of the money. Many communities have local charities that let you donate your extra materials too.

Related Questions

How heavy is the average box of hardwood flooring?

Each type of wood has a different density. So, each type has a unique weight to match. Check out The Wood Database for specific information. Hint: Oak, Maple, and Mahogany are some of the heaviest.

What would it cost to install wood floors in a 1,500 square foot house?

The average cost of a box of wood flooring is between $3 and $22 per square foot. The subfloor may add a fee of around $2 per square foot. So, the estimated price of hardwood in a small house is about $7,000 to $36,000, depending on the wood.