| Generally a 5% waste factor
is the norm for overage on a standard
installation. Standard would include 2 1/4" strip
up to 3 inch wide plank. Overage is the amount that you may
cut off to fit into the installation. There are
also times you may run into a few ugly boards
or ones that may have an unusual grain pattern
or color that would not fit in the floor.
 At
times, depending on installer selectiveness or owner
preferences, some knots or
mineral streaks may not be preferred, but this
will depend on what type of flooring you are
buying. Most prefinished flooring will have many
of these characteristics cut out, unless it's a
specified grade/name such as character grade or
rustic. Unfinished flooring on the other hand has
clear grading specifications.
Width of the board plays a
role in the amount of overage as well. The wider
the board the more overage will occur.
Installations that run into 45º angles (diagonal) will also
chew up more unusable material. A layout that
includes installation into other rooms and
down long hallways also leads to more hardwood
needed.
Diagonal installations use
more wood and the consensus calls for a 15%
overage. However 10% is more realistic on
widths 3 inches and under. |
