How to Install a Floor – Everything You Need to Know

Whether you are looking to install new flooring or want to create an overall aesthetic look for your floor, you must read all the sections of this detailed flooring installation guide for complete knowledge.

When it comes to flooring ideas, there is plenty of confusion wobbling in your mind, and there is a likely chance that you never get all the answers on a single piece of writing.

We are going to explore everything you need to know and reveal some tricky hacks in this guide that will definitely help in your DIY flooring tasks.

The Ultimate Floor Installation Guide for Everyone

Homeowners might find it hard to install a new floor in their homes. This DIY task should not be a difficult one for DIYers as they are usually looking for ways to lay their floors on their own. But the problem is, they don’t have any idea how to perform this job in the right way.

But fret not, thanks to this detailed guide, anyone will be able to install a floor like a pro. Read on to find out all the factors and considerations that you should keep in mind when installing a floor.

Of course, all the other floor types will lay under these four major categories. The cost is heavily dependent on the material used in these flooring types.

The average price is calculated in ‘per square feet’ format, so you must measure your room size before purchasing or installing a new flooring type.

Price of a New Floor

Flooring installation cannot be planned out without having an idea of a new floor. You might notice a substantial gap between the price ranges of different types of flooring. This is due to the fact that brands are using various materials in the construction of their models.

Moreover, the labor cost and underlayment expenses will also make a huge impact on your flooring installation budget.

Our flooring cost estimator will provide you with the lower and higher ranges on all these expenditures, enabling you to evaluate your favorite floor’s total budget.

Here you will get the price range of all flooring types, their installation charges, and the underlayment cost so that you can easily assume the total budget of your new flooring project. All the price ranges mentioned against their flooring types are available per square foot:

Product Cost

This price range is the actual cost of the flooring type. It includes the material, construction, and finish charges a brand offers its consumers. Of course, the huge difference in this price range is due to the quality of the product.

Installation Cost

You can’t deny that installing most flooring types is a DIY task. However, if you want more perfection in your flooring and looking to take professional service of any of the floor types, then you have to pay installation charges separately from the product price.

Some brands include these installation charges in the total product price; you can ask about it before purchasing all the flooring types.

Underlayment Cost

The underlayment setup is also necessary for most flooring options to increase its comfortability and to protect the floor material from moisture. You can purchase a complete roll for the whole subfloor or separate pieces for every plank or tile.

Average Flooring Cost Estimator

You may still find difficulty in calculating the estimated rate of your floor type even if you have an idea of the average per square foot cost.

To ease this struggle, you will get the average expense of every floor form in a short description. All these calculations are made on average 500 sq. ft. living room assumption:

 

 

 

 

Prices of Top Flooring Brands

You will find endless brands in the current marketplace which are offering a variety of options for flooring setup. It is impossible to mention all these companies here.

However, it will be worth mentioning some well-recognized flooring brands along with their prices of all important flooring types to help you choose your favorite brand within your budget range.

The following table will describe the average cost of each floor which include the charges of their labor, material, underlayment, and flooring installation for 500 sq. ft.:

It will help you choose the right color for any floor area. Ahead, we have discussed some things that you should consider when picking a color for your floor.

How to Choose the Right Floor Colors?

If you want a perfect color scheme for any flooring type, then you must remember the following important factors in your mind:

Consider the Size of the Room

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Initially, you have to consider the dimensions of your room. If you have a smaller space, you should select a lighter color, but if you have a large enough space, you can choose a darker option on laminate wood flooring.

The warmer tones mostly suit this type of flooring, and if you are asking about my choice, I will straightaway choose a darker grey color for this floor surface.

The Functionality of Space

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Another important aspect that reflects color selection is this particular space’s function. If you need the right color scheme for your bedroom, you can go again with a lighter color scheme.

If you want to install DIY laminate flooring for your kitchen or bathroom, you can choose a nasty texture.

Focus on the Light

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Lighting will greatly impact your color selection on any flooring type. If your floor surface interacts with natural and artificial light, then it is better to select a white or grey color scheme for your floor.

Furniture and Other Accessories

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The color and finish of your room accessories also matter a lot. You have to make the right match with your floor surroundings. The color pattern of your existing room and floor setting can give you a great idea about the color of your new flooring.

Cleaning & Maintenance

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The cleaning and maintenance factors also play their part in choosing a perfect color scheme. Your selected color should be easy to clean and maintain. The lighter color schemes will give you hassle-free cleaning, and you might not need frequent cleaning sessions on it.

Popular Color Schemes for All Floor Types

Some householders get confused about this color selection and can’t precisely match any color scheme with the surroundings of their floor surface.

They are looking for the right idea to decorate their living spaces according to any floor type. To ease their hardships, Now let’s have a look at some of the famous color trends of every floor type:

Hardwood Floor

• Saturated Tone: You can make a perfect contrast on a light hardwood surface with a saturated colorway.
• Red Oak: The red oak color scheme will look fantastic in hardwood flooring and can be matched or contrasted in your way.
• Dark Navy Blue: This color option will make a perfect contrast with any surroundings on hardwood surfaces.
• Forest Contrast: You can use a dark green color to contrast your hardwood floor like a forest.
• Jewel Tones: You can pick brilliant jewel tones in any color scheme for your hardwood flooring.

Laminate Floor

• Cement Grey: These planks of laminate flooring suit larger rooms and can be combined perfectly with a matte finish of your furniture or other wooden items.
• Savannah Cherry: This style is available in a laminate flooring scheme at a very low price and is opted by many homeowners to decorate their kitchens or bathrooms.
• Warm Sand: You will get a comfy and cozy look with a grey sand color available in laminate planks.
• Bark Oak: The sharp brown shade looks striking with the wooden texture of laminate floors and can be matched with any darker shades.
• Bridge Wood: If you want a natural wooden feel, choose a bridge wood color scheme from your laminate flooring list.

Vinyl Floor

• Honey Hues: This color scheme is available in a darker look and gives you a warm tone in any living area of your home.
• Distressed Dyes: Now, you can decorate your kitchen or bathroom with a wooden vinyl shape with a distressed look.
• All Gray: Another popular pick is the gray! You can build an aesthetic look by installing your vinyl tiles in a single gray color.
• Whitewashed Woods: Whitewash wooden design also looks unique in vinyl format. It will give you relaxed and comfortable vibes in any living space.
• Blonde Brilliance: You can get a fresh look at your bedroom or any other space with a blonde brilliance color scheme available in vinyl tiles.

Tile Floor

• Tropical Touch: If you want to install tile flooring on your poolside, you can create a small hexagonal design that will give you a tropical touch.
• Checkerboard Twist: You can build a black and white color pattern in the checkerboard twist, which displays an iconic look at any space.
• Soothing Color Palette: You can decorate your bathroom or kitchen floor with a soothing color palette design in tile flooring.
• Wood Transition: If you want to combine wood and tiles, you can transition wooden-style floors into tile flooring.
• Slim White and Gray: The gray and white combination looks fantastic on your kitchen tiles and gives a brighter look on floors and walls.

 

Once you have estimated the total cost of your flooring budget and chosen a perfect color scheme, now you need to understand the cutting techniques of all these floor types.

Let’s learn these cutting techniques with the required tools here for every flooring type:

Hardwood Flooring

The best way to make hardwood flooring cuts is to use a table saw with a sharp blade and slowly move your hardwood sheets on this powerful saw.
You will never feel any obstacle and get precise pieces within seconds. Let’s learn the whole process thoroughly:

Tools Required

• Table saw
• Rubber Mallet
• Utility Knife
• Adhesive Trowel

Steps for the Cutting Process

1. Initially, you have to determine the exact area where you want to make this cut on your hardwood floor surface.
2. Now, mark a straight chalk line so your cut will not move beyond the boundary.
3. Use a utility knife to chip the line; sometimes, the high speed of the table saw will de-track you, so this step is also necessary.
4. Set your table saw deeper into the edge of the hardwood floor surface.
5. Now slowly move the hardwood sheet in a forward direction.
6. You have to maintain the sheet line adjacent to the saw blade.
7. Finish off the cut and carefully place both the pieces of hardwood sheet on the floor.

Laminate Flooring

You must use a perfect saw to cut laminate flooring because you never want to chip your luxurious laminate boards. If the cuts on laminate flooring are accurate, you might not need the sanding process for the right finish of cut edges.

You can again use the table saw or handsaw as well with a fine blade for this cutting technique, but you must wear protected gloves for your protection.

Tools Required

• Handsaw
• Clamp
• Sandpaper
• Pencil
• Gloves

Steps for the Cutting Process

1. Before starting this cutting process, make sure that you are wearing all the protective gears
2. Take the accurate measurement of your living space and mark the accurate indications according to these dimensions.
3. Clamp the flooring piece on any flat surface and line up the edge for cutting.
4. Now start the cutting process with a slight cut on the edge and draw the precise cutting line.
5. Once you are confident with it, cut the entire laminate board with your saw blade.
6. Use sandpaper on the cut edges for a perfect finish.

Vinyl Flooring

The convenient choice to cut vinyl plank flooring is made with a jigsaw and some additional gears. You have to cut these boards for installing vinyl planks perfectly accurately.

For this purpose, it is vital to take accurate measurements according to your room space and snap these boards off perfectly. Let’s learn this process as well:

Tools Required

• Framing Squares
• Safety Goggles
• Utility Knife
• Pencil/Chalk
• Tape Measures
• Jigsaw

Steps for the Cutting Process

1. Determine the accurate zone to cut vinyl planks.
2. Mark the precise measurement on the vinyl board with a pencil or chalk.
3. Stable the board on the floor with your knees.
4. Now use a utility knife and framing square to start cutting the plank.
5. Turn the board over and try to snap it off. If you face any difficulty, make the cut deeper for ease.
6. The longer vinyl planks should be cracked with a jigsaw.
7. You can do this DIY task for comfort if you have a workbench.

Tile Flooring

Cutting the floor tiles requires more protection because of dust and chipping parts of tiles. To cut tile with a grinder, you still need an eye protector to handle this task.

This cutting technique is slightly different from the previous methods and requires more care.

Tools Required

• Eye Protector
• Working Gloves
• Wire Hanger
• Wet Saw
• Glass Cutter

Steps for the Cutting Process

1. Take an accurate measurement of your floor space
2. Mark the straight lines on the tile surface with a pencil or chalk
3. Now wear all the protective gears, especially the eye protector
4. Start chipping the tile on the marked line with a tile cutter
5. Use a wire hanger to snap the tile
6. Rub the edges of tile pieces for the right finish

Once you have accurately cut down these flooring boards with the dimensions of your space, the installation process will become much easier.

It’s time to learn the ultimate guides of all the flooring types and install the floors with a DIY approach

Hardwood Floors

You can add solid texture to any subfloor with a hardwood flooring installation. It will give you warmth, and if it lays perfectly, you will get a pure floor feel anywhere.

Check out the instructions to install hardwood floors:

Installation Steps

1. Initially, you have to prepare your subfloor. You can do traditional sweeping or vacuuming its surface to remove debris and dirt particles.
2. Now install the underlayment set up to discourage moisture and mold growth.
3. Place the hardwood planks on the neat subfloor.
4. Lock the planks in the right pattern and secure them.
5. Finally, you can add beauty to your hardwood floor with a perfect finishing touch.

Laminate Floors

The scratch-resistant and hard floor look will force householders to install laminate floors in their living space. You can also consider it in your commercial or industrial space as well due to its hard-wearing nature.

This laminate floor installation can be a little tricky; if you miss those hacks, you might ruin your investment. So carefully read the installation guide for laminate floors to learn these pro tricks:

Installation Steps

1. Install the laminate planks only to a limited area for testing; if you like the texture design, then you should proceed with them.
2. Add the moisture barrier on the subfloor in the form of any underlayment sheet.
3. Now start installing the planks from one side of the room and move towards the other.
4. Use a hammer with gentle hands to secure the installed planks.
5. Move row-wise and trim the planks where required
6. Lay all the laminate planks and lock them
7. Give an appealing finish to the top coat of your laminate surface.

Vinyl Floors

Vinyl planks are also a durable flooring option, and most homeowners prefer them because of their water-resistant nature.

It will also keep your living space warmer, and the unique texture designs will make it the optimum flooring option for everyone.

Installing vinyl plank flooring needs accurate measurements and the right tools to cut the vinyl sheets. Check out our easiest procedure for sheet vinyl flooring installation here:

Installation Steps

1. Preparing the subfloor is essential in this case as well. Get rid of all the hurdles and perform a quick cleaning session to remove dust.
2. If the underlayment is compulsory, install a smooth sheet on the subfloor.
3. Now bring the adhesive according to your underlayment type and spread row-wise it with the right quantity.
4. Remove the bubbles completely with a flooring roller.
5. If you notice any extra adhesive, clean it immediately.
6. Start laying the vinyl planks row-wise.
7. Don’t move forward before pasting the vinyl planks in the previous row.
8. Move row-wise and place the vinyl planks in the entire room.
9. Stagger the newly installed floor, if required.

Tile Floors

The installation process of tile flooring is the toughest procedure of all the previous ones. You may find various tile flooring installation methods.

But believe me, the steps here make this tough task very simple. You just need to follow these instructions in the right sequence and see a perfect flooring set up at the end of the day.

Installation Steps

1. Lay down the mortar or simply tile cement on the subfloor.
2. Now mark the chalk lines according to the measurement of tiles and line up the tiles precisely on these lines.
3. Must add the grout spacer on all corners of tiles.
4. Now lay all the tiles on the entire space.
5. Give adhesive time to tiles which will dry up overnight.
6. Make the grout solution and spread it on tiles to fill the gaps.
7. Make your surface smooth with a masonry float and seal the grout.
8. If you see any extra grout, instantly remove it with a wet sponge.
9. Leave this space for the next 72 hours for a perfect result of this tile flooring.

These floor sealing methods work well in multiple rooms and help in your cleaning processes. Let’s see how you can seal different forms of floors:

Sealing Hardwood Floors

Your hardwood floor needs to seal with the right kind of material to protect its finish from spills, humidity, and high-foot traffic.

You will see endless material options in the market to seal hardwood floors. However, if you want to maintain the natural look of your hardwood surface, then you should prefer polyurethane material for this purpose.

Learn the simplest way to seal a hardwood floor from the following instructions:

1. Before applying any sealant, eliminate all the debris and dirt particles from the hardwood surface.
2. Use an oily rag to fill the gaps’ starting from the corners and underneath the door spaces.
3. Initially, apply two coats to seal the hardwood floor completely.
4. Use a flooring applicator to level the surface.
5. Give your floor some time to dry the sealer.
6. Apply more coats, if required.

Sealing Laminate Floors

A typical sealant for laminate flooring is available in silicone material and can be applied with any caulking gun. It is absolutely not necessary to entire seal the laminate floors; you should only seal the edges and joint gaps of planks for a perfect fixture.

It will last for centuries if you accurately seal this super hard surface. You can make your laminate floor purely a waterproof flooring option with this sealing technique:

1. Start this process by cutting the caulk from your wall baseboard.
2. Displace this baseboard from its location.
3. Now caulk this baseboard origin and all the expansion gaps of your laminate floor.
4. Cover the top coat with polyurethane.
5. Seal all the floor gaps and baseboard with an appropriate sealant for the laminate surface.
6. Use any locking mechanism to fix the laminate floor in the sealant.
7. Dry the surface at optimal temperature before using the laminate floor.

Sealing Vinyl Floors

Sealing the new or old vinyl plank floor will have a long-lasting effect on your floor surface. You can protect it against water or mold damage with the help of any appropriate sealant, and the cleaning process will also become easier.

It is better to take early action so that the dirt or germs may not hide themselves in this gap. You can follow these simple steps to do this DIY task:

1. Clean the vinyl floor thoroughly and eliminate all the germs and dust particles from its top surface.
2. Apply the sealant into the seams where required.
3. Protect the top surface of vinyl planks with masking tape.
4. Put some heavy weigh on the vinyl flooring surface.
5. Fill the adhesive material in all the gaps and underneath the strip of plywood.
6. Apply the sealant to fix all the things firmly.
7. Once you are sure that the adhesive material is dry, remove the weights and masking tape.
8. Leave the vinyl floor surface to dry up completely.
9. If you feel more coats are necessary, you can do it.

Sealing Tile Floors

Applying the sealant on the tile floors is compulsory because germs can hide themselves between tiles, and it is the favorite place for stains, especially when installed in your kitchen.

There is a certain chance that moisture will grow under your tiles and damage your flooring surface. You can fill the gap between tiles with grout, which protects your tiles and adds attractiveness to your flooring.

You must identify the type of tile flooring before applying the grout lines. Let’s see how you can use this form of sealant on your floor surface:

1. Clean the tiles and ensure the surface is completely dried before applying any sealant.
2. Mask off the entire surface of tiles.
3. Choose your favorite or matching grout color.
4. Apply the grout between tile gaps.
5. If it is essential to apply grout, put on more material until the tip of your tile level.
6. Follow the instructions of the grout manufacturer about its dry time.
7. Once confident that the grout is dried up, remove the masking material from the tile surface and clean it with a wet sponge.

Sealing Garage Floors

This sealing hack will be a great bonus if you are looking to seal your garage floor and never find any suitable method. If you choose the right sealant, then it will give you the luxury of a concrete surface that will last on any rough use.

The best trick is to use epoxy for the garage floor, which discourages stains, moisture, cracks, and other greasy spills on the surface. This material is easy to clean or maintain and is available reasonably.

1. Bring acrylic floor sealant for complete protection to your garage floor surface.
2. Sweep your garage floor and get rid of all the stains through scrubbing.
3. If you see any moisture, then dry it up properly.
4. Now it’s time to apply your favorite sealant and does as many coatings as you feel essential.
5. Fill all the gaps and previous cracks on the floor with this sealant.
6. The dry time for an acrylic floor sealant should be at least 24 hours before use.

You might be thinking of how you can transit in case of uneven designs or how to install two wooden floors with a different texture. You must adopt an appropriate transition method to split two floors or mark them with some strips.

In this section, we will answer all these queries about this transition technique and clear your confusion with different ways of transition:

Material for Transition Strips

Before straightaway moving on the transition process, let’s check out various materials which are used to transit two different wooden floors:

 

 

 

The Transition Process

You can divide this transition process into three different scenarios. All these methods are effective in splitting wooden surfaces into stylish flooring areas.

Whether this way of transition needs binders or strips, you can break a variety of floors and make a single pattern for the entire flooring space.

Transition Using a Seam Binder

One way to transition various floors is the use of a seam binder. It suits well on wooden floors, and if contrasted with aluminum material, you will get a stylish floor look with a stunning finish.

You can use contrasting colors, texture designs, or a seam binder to decorate wood floors.

Uneven Floor Transition Ideas

If you have uneven floors, then you can use transition strips to level your floor surface. This method can also be implemented on carpeted floors, and the bumpy space or height of a variety of carpets can be covered with these transition strips.

Transition Strips

You can also fill the gaps between your wooden flooring with any material of transition strips. You can purchase prefinished or unfinished transition strips to seal the cracks or even breaks of your wooden floors.

If you apply the polyurethane over the paint, you will never see any wear and tear on the floor. It will also give a glossy finish to your wooden surface.

The cleaning and maintenance procedures will also become easier, and if you use quick dry polyurethane with some ventilation, this liquid will give you a concrete look.

Factors to Consider

Before applying this polyurethane coat, you must consider a few factors for perfect results. Let’s dig out these important elements:

 

 

 

 

 How to Apply Polyurethane Over Paint?

Now let’s move on to the actual process of applying polyurethane over paint:

Step 1. Clean the Surface

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Polyurethane may not stick to the oily and stained surface. It is better to clean the entire surface thoroughly before applying it on a wooden surface. Any sticky spills or older stains need to be removed before this process.

If the scratches are harsh, you can use sandpaper to eliminate them efficiently. Finally, you can vacuum the surface to clear the residue and dust particles.

Step 2. Apply the First Coat

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Now start applying the polyurethane to the cleaned surface. You can use any softer brush or spray to apply this liquid. The paint type can be oil-based or water-based, which is quite easy to spread on the wooden surface.

Step 3. Sand and Clean Again

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After the first coat, you should sand the surface after drying the polyurethane and if you see any sand residue, remove it with a quick cleaning session.

Step 4. Apply Second Coat

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You can also apply the second coat of polyurethane for a shinier look. It will eliminate the remaining scratches and cracks on your wooden floor.

You will get the smoothest and most glossy surface after this polyurethane coat. You can apply as many paint coats as you think is essential.

Final Remarks

This comprehensive flooring installation guide has covered all the key aspects of flooring costs, color selection, cutting methods, installation, sealing, and transition guides.

Here, our aim is to provide complete information to homeowners and reveals the hidden hacks of their every flooring inquiry in this single flooring handbook.
You can use this resource in your routine flooring tasks with a DIY approach and collect various ideas from our expert flooring contractors in this detailed guide.

I hope you got all the answers to your confusion about your home flooring; we look forward to hearing from you soon!

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Some of the following questions related to flooring installation may come to your mind:

What Is the Best Way to Install Flooring?

The best direction to install any type of flooring is to align the planks according to their design and initiate it from the longest wall of your space. You have to spend little time and effort preparing your subfloor before the start of this installation process.

How Much Does It Cost to Install the Floor?

There might be a certain variation in the flooring installation price of different floors, but the average cost is around $1,500-$3,000 for covering 500 square feet. This price will include material and labor charges for any type of flooring installation.

What’s the Easiest Flooring to Install Yourself?

The laminate planks and vinyl sheets are quite easy to install. Any beginner Do-it-yourself can install these kinds of flooring just by following the simple set of rules in the right order. Some flooring types also offer self-adhesive or peel-and-stick mechanisms, which can easily be handled.

Is Vinyl or Laminate Better?

Both these flooring options look very similar in appearance. However, if you want to compare their unique features, you must know that laminate flooring will give you endless decorative styles and color schemes.

Is It Cheaper to Carpet or Laminate?

The price range of carpet or laminate flooring depends on the quality and style of your chosen model. Of course, the products for both these flooring options are endless, and the brands offer different rates for every model.

What’s the Best Way to Cut Floor Tiles?

A wet tile saw is a perfect tool to cut floor tiles. This task will become much easier if you have a working bench or its stand. You have to run this gear smoothly, and if the tile is thick, you must move it extremely slowly to cut the tiles perfectly.