Install Flooring
The flooring you choose impacts both the look and feel of your addition. Matching existing flooring throughout your home creates seamless flow, while thoughtful transitions can define new spaces intentionally.
Quick Summary
Time needed
2-5 days
Cost
$3-$15/sq ft installed
Professional help
Recommended for hardwood/tile
Why This Step Matters
Flooring is installed before painting and trim to protect walls from damage during installation. Baseboards then cover the expansion gaps at walls, creating clean transitions. Getting the flooring right is essential—it's expensive and disruptive to replace later.
Common Mistake
Trying to match discontinued hardwood exactly. If your existing hardwood is no longer available, consider sanding and refinishing all connected flooring for a uniform appearance, or using an intentional transition to new flooring.
Flooring Options Compared
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
Best ValueCost
$3-$7/sq ft
Durability
Excellent
Installation
DIY-friendly
Waterproof, scratch-resistant, and increasingly realistic wood visuals. Click-lock installation over most subfloors. Great for basements, kitchens, and bathrooms. Won't match existing hardwood but can complement it.
Hardwood
Best for MatchingCost
$8-$15/sq ft
Durability
Good (refinishable)
Installation
Professional
Can be matched and woven into existing hardwood floors for seamless transitions. Site-finished hardwood allows staining to match. Adds resale value. Not suitable for below-grade or moisture-prone areas.
Engineered Hardwood
VersatileCost
$6-$12/sq ft
Durability
Good
Installation
Moderate
Real wood veneer over plywood core. More stable than solid hardwood in humidity. Can be floated over concrete. Limited refinishing potential (1-2 times depending on veneer thickness).
Tile (Ceramic/Porcelain)
Best for Wet AreasCost
$5-$15/sq ft
Durability
Excellent
Installation
Professional
Completely waterproof, highly durable, and available in wood-look styles. Requires proper subfloor preparation and skilled installation. Cold underfoot without radiant heating. Ideal for bathrooms and entries.
Matching Your Existing Flooring
Identify Your Current Flooring
Determine the species (oak, maple, etc.), width of planks, thickness, and stain color. Check for manufacturer labels in closets or under appliances. A flooring sample from a closet can help with matching.
Find Matching Material
Contact flooring suppliers with your sample. Many common species and widths are still available. For discontinued products, salvage yards sometimes have matching stock.
Pro tip: Buy 15% extra for cuts, waste, and future repairs. Flooring lot colors vary, so buy all from the same lot.
Consider Full Refinishing
Even matching wood will look different from aged flooring. The best approach for hardwood is often to install new flooring and sand/refinish both old and new together for uniform color.
Cost vs. result: Sanding and refinishing existing floors ($3-5/sq ft) often costs less than the visual mismatch of unfinished matching—and the result is dramatically better.
Transition Strips: When and How
Transitions between flooring types are necessary but should be thoughtfully placed. The goal is either invisibility or intentional design.
| Transition Type | Use Case | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| T-Molding | Same-height flooring types | $15-$40/piece |
| Reducer | Different height flooring | $15-$35/piece |
| Threshold | Doorways, exterior doors | $20-$50/piece |
| Flush transition (woven) | Matching hardwood | $100-$200/transition |
Best practice: Place transitions in doorways (under closed doors) rather than in the middle of open floor plans. Centered transitions in open spaces look like mistakes.
Subfloor Requirements by Flooring Type
LVP/Laminate
Floats over most subfloors. Requires flat surface (within 3/16" per 10 feet). Use self-leveling compound for low spots. Include manufacturer- specified underlayment.
Hardwood
Requires 3/4" plywood or OSB subfloor. Must be nailed or stapled (not floated). Moisture content must match flooring. Not suitable over concrete without specialized installation.
Tile
Requires cement board or Ditra underlayment over plywood. Subfloor deflection causes cracked grout and tiles. May need additional joist support in older homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I install flooring before or after cabinets?
For floating floors (LVP, laminate), install after cabinets to allow proper expansion. For nailed hardwood or tile, install before cabinets for easier replacement later.
How do I handle height differences at transitions?
Minor differences (under 3/8") use reducer strips. Larger differences may require raising the subfloor in one area or using threshold ramps. Code requires transitions under 1/2" for accessibility.
Can I extend radiant floor heating into the addition?
Often yes, but it requires planning during the subfloor stage. Electric radiant mats work under tile and some engineered wood. Hydronic systems need connection to the existing boiler and proper zone control.
How long should new flooring acclimate before installation?
Hardwood needs 3-7 days in the conditioned space. Engineered wood and LVP need 48-72 hours. Stack with spacers to allow air circulation. HVAC should be running at normal settings.
Ready for the Next Step?
With flooring installed, you're ready for baseboards and trim. This finish carpentry covers expansion gaps and transitions while adding architectural detail to your new space.