Determining the exact amount of extra carpet tile to order depends on the total square footage of the area you are covering and the shape of the room.
When installing carpet tiles, it is standard practice to order an additional amount beyond the net square footage of the room. This extra quantity, often referred to as overage or waste factor, is essential for several reasons, including accommodating necessary cuts around walls, corners, and obstacles, accounting for potential differences in color or pattern between batches, covering potential mistakes during installation, and ensuring proper pattern matching if the tiles have a specific design.
Based on typical installation requirements and to account for these factors, the recommended percentage of overage varies according to the complexity of the room's shape.
Recommended Overage Percentages for Carpet Tile
To calculate the amount of extra carpet tile needed, you should take your total square footage and apply the appropriate percentage based on the room's layout. The reference indicates the following standard waste factors:
| Room Shape | Recommended Overage |
|---|---|
| Square Rooms | 5-7% |
| Rectangular Rooms | 10% |
| Rooms with Multiple Angles | 15% |
Source: Reference provided, dated 30-Mar-2021.
Calculating Your Specific Overage
To find the specific square footage of extra carpet tile to order, use this simple formula:
Total Square Footage of Room × Overage Percentage (as a decimal)
For example:
- If you have a 100 sq ft square room, you would calculate 100 sq ft 0.05 (for 5%) to 100 sq ft 0.07 (for 7%), needing 5 to 7 sq ft extra.
- If you have a 100 sq ft rectangular room, you would calculate 100 sq ft * 0.10, needing 10 sq ft extra.
- If you have a 100 sq ft room with multiple angles, you would calculate 100 sq ft * 0.15, needing 15 sq ft extra.
Ordering the recommended percentage helps ensure you have enough material to complete the installation smoothly and handle any unforeseen issues without delaying your project.
