Measuring square metre areas for carpet and vinyl

How to measure your rooms and stairs

This guide will help you determine the amount of flooring you need to complete your project and how to measure your space.

Please note: We don’t offer a fitting service, but as more and more people now order their flooring online, it is quite easy to find a local fitter in your area. For example, search Yell, NICF or Rated People. If you are reasonably competent at DIY, then you may consider fitting yourself, using the numerous online guides for reference.

First, measure the length and width of the room, including any door alcoves, window bays and irregular spaces. If either one of these measurements is less than 5 metres, in the case of carpet, or 4 metres, in the case of vinyl, then there will be a product suitable to fill the space in one piece, without the need for joins. Our carpets come in varying widths of either 4 metres or 5 metres, whilst vinyl usually comes in 2, 3 or 4 metre widths. You can order any length. Only the width is limited.

If your room is larger than the above sizes, you will need to order two pieces. Please call us in this instance and we will ensure that your carpet or vinyl is cut in the correct orientation or pile direction, so that it can be joined seamlessly.

Add at least 10cm (0.1m) to your room measurements, to allow enough overlap for trimming and to allow for irregular room shapes. Not all rooms are absolutely square and even, so double check all measurements from wall to wall in all areas of the room and order a slightly larger size if in any doubt.

Most carpets will benefit from underlay both for comfort and increased durability, so factor this in. (See ‘measuring square metre areas’ for guidance on how much you will need to order).

Don’t forget, if grippers are not already fitted to your room, you will need to add these to your order, to fit the entire perimeter of your room, including any alcoves.

Even if you already have door bar(s) fitted, you may wish to order new ones to go with your brand new flooring to achieve a perfect finish. We supply several different types to join various types of flooring with a seamless finish.

Measuring stairs, hallways and landings

Measure in the same way you would a normal room, by measuring the maximum width and length, allowing for any irregular spaces, alcoves or doorways. And don’t forget to add a minimum of 10cm (0.1m) overlap for trimming.

Always allow for the top stair when measuring a landing or mid landing area, so that the carpet can flow over the first riser for a seamless finish. Add this to your overall measurements. (i.e. you cannot join a carpet at the edge of the top of a staircase).

For most stairs, a carpet roll width of 4 metres, or in some cases 5 metres will be enough to cover the entire stairway from top to bottom. (Order the appropriate roll ‘length’ for the width of the stairs - allowing some overlap for trimming - i.e. add 10cm to the overall width (5cm on each side).

Check that all your stairs are an even size. If not, allow for this in your calculations. First, measure a riser (the vertical part of the stair) and then one of the treads (the flat/horizontal part of the stair). You can then take these two measurements combined and multiply by the number of stairs you have. Remember, if you already have carpet on your stairs, this could make the tread and riser measurements appear shorter than they actually are.

If you have bullnose stairs, allow a little extra in your calculations and if you have a winding, or a corner staircase, measure each turn of the steps independently at their widest point and add to your overall measurement. It is always best to allow a little extra to avoid falling short on the day of fitting.

Don’t forget, if grippers are not already fitted to your stairs, you will need to add these to your order. (One on each riser and one on each tread).

Most carpets will benefit from underlay on the stairs, both for comfort and increased durability, so factor this in. (See ‘measuring square metre areas’ for guidance on how much you will need to order).