Install Finish Flooring
Transform your attic with beautiful finish flooring. Choose from carpet, hardwood, or LVP to create a comfortable, finished living space.
Why Choosing the Right Flooring Matters
Your flooring choice dramatically impacts the look, feel, and functionality of your converted attic. Attics present unique challenges including temperature fluctuations, potential humidity issues, and the need for sound dampening to rooms below. The right flooring will be comfortable underfoot, handle these conditions gracefully, and complement your design vision while adding value to your home.
Flooring Options Comparison
Carpet
- Cost: $2-8/sq ft
- Best for: Bedrooms
- Pros: Warm, quiet, comfortable
- Cons: Holds dust, harder to clean
Hardwood
- Cost: $6-15/sq ft
- Best for: Offices, living areas
- Pros: Beautiful, adds value
- Cons: Sensitive to humidity
LVP
- Cost: $3-8/sq ft
- Best for: Any room
- Pros: Durable, waterproof, DIY-friendly
- Cons: Lower resale perception
Tools & Materials Needed
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
Choose Your Flooring Type
Consider these factors when selecting flooring for your attic:
- •Room function - bedrooms often benefit from carpet's warmth and quiet
- •Temperature stability - LVP handles fluctuations better than hardwood
- •Sound transmission - underlayment choice affects noise to rooms below
- •DIY skill level - LVP click-lock is easiest, hardwood most challenging
- •Budget - carpet and LVP are most affordable, hardwood costs more
Prepare the Subfloor
A clean, level subfloor is essential for quality results:
- •Sweep and vacuum the subfloor thoroughly
- •Check for and fix any squeaky spots with additional screws
- •Use a straightedge to find high spots - sand down if needed
- •Fill low spots with floor leveling compound
- •Ensure all screw heads are flush or slightly recessed
Acclimate Materials
Allow flooring to adjust to attic conditions:
- •Store flooring in the attic for 48-72 hours before installation
- •Maintain normal living conditions (HVAC running) during acclimation
- •Open boxes but leave materials stacked to allow air circulation
- •Hardwood requires longer acclimation - follow manufacturer guidelines
- •LVP and carpet are more forgiving but still benefit from acclimation
Pro tip: Attics can have significant temperature swings. Install flooring when temperatures are moderate (spring or fall) for best results.
Install Underlayment
Choose and install the right underlayment for your flooring:
- •For carpet: 8lb carpet pad for comfort and insulation
- •For hardwood: Cork or foam with vapor barrier
- •For LVP: Manufacturer-recommended underlayment or built-in pad
- •Overlap seams and tape for moisture protection
- •Run underlayment up walls 2 inches to seal perimeter
Install Flooring
Follow these general guidelines for installation:
- •Start along the longest, most visible wall
- •Use spacers to maintain 1/4" expansion gap at all walls
- •Stagger end joints by at least 6 inches between rows
- •Cut pieces to fit around knee walls and dormers carefully
- •Use pull bar and tapping block for tight connections
Important: Always work from multiple boxes simultaneously to mix patterns and color variations across the floor.
Pro Tips
- ✓Dry-lay the first two rows before committing to ensure a straight, balanced layout
- ✓Use a bevel gauge to transfer knee wall angles for accurate cuts
- ✓Plan transitions between rooms and stairway openings before starting
- ✓Order 10-15% extra material for cuts, mistakes, and future repairs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best flooring for an attic conversion?▼
LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) is often the best choice for attic conversions because it handles temperature fluctuations well, is lightweight, easy to install, and provides good sound dampening. Carpet is ideal for bedrooms as it's warm and quiet. Hardwood adds value but requires more stable temperature and humidity conditions.
Do I need underlayment in an attic conversion?▼
Yes, underlayment is important in attic conversions. It provides sound dampening to reduce noise transmission to rooms below, adds cushioning for comfort, helps with minor subfloor imperfections, and can provide moisture protection. The type of underlayment depends on your flooring choice.
How do I handle flooring around knee walls?▼
Run flooring right up to knee walls, leaving a 1/4-inch expansion gap which will be covered by baseboards. If the knee wall angle is unusual, use a bevel gauge to transfer the angle to your flooring pieces for accurate cuts. Consider shoe molding for cleaner transitions.
Should I install flooring before or after painting?▼
Install flooring after painting walls and ceilings. This protects your finished floor from paint drips and allows easier cutting-in along walls. However, install baseboards after flooring so they cover the expansion gaps and create a finished look.