Flooring Installation
Install flooring throughout your home. From hardwood and tile to luxury vinyl and carpet, this step requires careful coordination with other trades and proper material preparation for beautiful, lasting results.
Quick Summary
Typical Cost
$15,000 - $50,000
Time Frame
1-2 weeks
Difficulty
Professional Recommended
Why Flooring Installation Matters
Flooring covers more visible surface area than any other finish in your home, making it one of the most impactful design decisions in your remodel. Quality flooring properly installed sets the foundation for your interior design while providing decades of durability and comfort underfoot.
Installation timing is critical in a whole-home remodel. Flooring must be coordinated with cabinet installation, painting, and trim work. Installing too early risks damage from other trades; installing too late delays project completion. Most flooring also requires acclimation time, meaning materials need to arrive weeks before installation.
Different flooring types require different substrates, underlayments, and installation methods. A whole-home remodel typically involves multiple flooring types: hardwood or luxury vinyl in living areas, tile in bathrooms and entryways, and potentially carpet in bedrooms. Coordinating these materials, their installers, and transition details requires careful planning.
Step-by-Step Guide
Finalize All Flooring Selections
Complete all flooring material selections and calculate quantities for each area. Order materials 2-4 weeks before installation to allow for delivery and acclimation time. Include 10-15% overage for cuts and future repairs.
- Measure each room and calculate square footage
- Select flooring type appropriate for each space
- Choose coordinating colors across all materials
- Order matching transition strips and thresholds
- Confirm delivery dates and storage requirements
Prepare and Level Subfloors
Inspect all subfloors for damage, levelness, and moisture content. Repair any damaged areas, fill low spots with leveling compound, and grind high spots. Different flooring types have different flatness requirements.
- Check for squeaks and secure loose subfloor panels
- Use self-leveling compound for low areas
- Grind or sand high spots as needed
- Test moisture levels with appropriate meters
- Install cement board for tile applications
Acclimate Flooring Materials
Allow flooring materials to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the installation environment. This prevents expansion, contraction, and buckling after installation. HVAC should be running at normal conditions during acclimation.
- Solid hardwood: 5-14 days minimum acclimation
- Engineered hardwood: 3-5 days minimum
- Laminate: 48-72 hours minimum
- LVP: 48 hours minimum, check manufacturer specs
- Store flat with boxes opened for air circulation
Plan Installation Sequence
Determine the order of flooring installation based on trade coordination, drying times, and logical workflow. Typically, tile goes first (needs curing time), then hardwood/LVP, and carpet last.
- Install tile first - requires 24-48 hour cure time
- Install hardwood/LVP after cabinets are in
- Install carpet last to avoid damage
- Coordinate with painters for final touch-ups
- Plan transition locations before starting
Install Hardwood Flooring
Install solid or engineered hardwood with appropriate underlayment and proper expansion gaps. Nail or staple solid hardwood to plywood subfloors. Engineered can be floated, glued, or nailed depending on manufacturer specifications.
- Leave 1/2-inch expansion gap at all walls
- Stagger end joints by at least 6 inches
- Use pneumatic floor nailer for solid hardwood
- Face nail first and last rows with finishing nails
- Sand and finish site-finished wood in multiple coats
Install Luxury Vinyl Plank/Tile
Install luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or luxury vinyl tile (LVT) using click-lock or glue-down methods depending on product specifications. LVP is highly water-resistant and forgiving on subfloor imperfections compared to hardwood.
- Install appropriate underlayment for click-lock LVP
- Stagger end joints by at least 8 inches
- Leave 1/4-inch expansion gap at walls
- Use tapping block to click planks together
- Cut with utility knife and snap for straight cuts
Install Tile Flooring
Set tile with proper substrate preparation, thinset mortar, and grouting. Tile is ideal for bathrooms, entryways, and kitchens due to water resistance and durability. Use appropriate tile for floor applications.
- Install cement board or Ditra membrane substrate
- Dry-lay tile to plan cuts and pattern
- Use modified thinset for floor tile installations
- Maintain consistent grout joint spacing
- Wait 24 hours before grouting, 48 before foot traffic
Install Carpet
Stretch and install carpet with appropriate padding in bedrooms and designated soft-floor areas. Carpet should be installed last to avoid damage from other trades. Use quality padding for comfort and carpet longevity.
- Install tack strips around room perimeter
- Lay padding with seams taped and edges trimmed
- Position carpet with pattern aligned to room
- Stretch carpet using power stretcher, not just knee kicker
- Trim excess and tuck edges into tack strips
Install Transitions and Thresholds
Add transition strips, reducers, and thresholds where different flooring types meet. Locate transitions centered under doors when closed. Match transition finishes to the more prominent flooring type.
- Use T-moldings between floors of similar height
- Use reducers from higher to lower flooring
- Install thresholds at exterior doorways
- Secure transitions with screws or adhesive tracks
- Leave expansion gaps at transitions for floating floors
Final Inspection and Floor Protection
Inspect all flooring for defects, gaps, squeaks, or damage. Clean all surfaces and protect with appropriate covering for remaining construction activities. Document any issues for installer to address.
- Walk all floors checking for squeaks and soft spots
- Inspect for scratches, chips, or finish defects
- Verify all transition strips are secure
- Cover with ram board or moving blankets for protection
- Keep spare flooring for future repairs
Flooring Types Comparison
Solid Hardwood
Traditional solid wood planks, typically 3/4-inch thick.
- Cost: $8-15/sq ft installed
- Durability: Excellent - can refinish 5+ times
- Moisture: Poor - not for basements/baths
- Installation: Nail/staple to wood subfloor
- Lifespan: 75-100+ years with refinishing
Engineered Hardwood
Real wood veneer over plywood core for dimensional stability.
- Cost: $6-12/sq ft installed
- Durability: Good - refinish 1-3 times
- Moisture: Better - suitable for basements
- Installation: Float, glue, or nail
- Lifespan: 30-50 years typical
Luxury Vinyl Plank
Waterproof vinyl planks with realistic wood appearance.
- Cost: $4-9/sq ft installed
- Durability: Very good wear resistance
- Moisture: Excellent - 100% waterproof
- Installation: Click-lock floating or glue
- Lifespan: 15-25 years typical
Porcelain Tile
Durable ceramic tile fired at high temperatures.
- Cost: $10-20/sq ft installed
- Durability: Excellent - extremely hard
- Moisture: Excellent - ideal for wet areas
- Installation: Thinset on cement board
- Lifespan: 50-100+ years
Cost Breakdown (2,500 sq ft Home)
| Flooring Area | Sq Ft | Material Type | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living Areas & Halls | 800 | Engineered Hardwood | $6,400-9,600 |
| Kitchen/Dining | 400 | Engineered Hardwood | $3,200-4,800 |
| Master Bedroom | 250 | Carpet | $1,250-2,000 |
| Secondary Bedrooms (x3) | 450 | Carpet | $2,250-3,600 |
| Bathrooms (x3) | 180 | Porcelain Tile | $1,800-3,600 |
| Entry/Mudroom | 80 | Porcelain Tile | $800-1,600 |
| Laundry Room | 60 | LVP | $240-540 |
| Basement (if applicable) | 600 | LVP | $2,400-5,400 |
| Transitions & Thresholds | - | Various | $400-800 |
| Total | ~2,800 | Mixed | $18,740-31,940 |
Pro Tips
Maintain Consistent Direction
Run hardwood and LVP planks in the same direction throughout connected spaces. Typically, run planks toward the main light source or along the longest dimension of the home.
Check Moisture Thoroughly
Test concrete slab moisture before any flooring installation. Excess moisture causes buckling, mold, and adhesive failure. Use calcium chloride or relative humidity testing methods.
Coordinate Heights Early
Calculate finished floor heights before starting. Different flooring thicknesses affect door clearances, stair nosings, and cabinet toe kicks. Build up subfloor where needed for flush transitions.
Mix Boxes During Installation
Pull flooring from multiple boxes during installation to blend any color variation between production runs. This prevents visible banding or color shifts across the floor.
Save Spare Material
Keep leftover flooring in climate-controlled storage for future repairs. Matching discontinued products years later is often impossible. Save at least one full box of each type.
Install Baseboards Last
Remove baseboards before flooring installation and reinstall after. This covers expansion gaps and creates a cleaner finished look than using quarter round over existing baseboards.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping Acclimation
Installing flooring straight from the delivery truck causes expansion or contraction after installation. This leads to buckling, gaps, and squeaking. Always allow proper acclimation time.
Insufficient Expansion Gaps
Flooring expands and contracts with humidity changes. Without proper gaps at walls and fixed objects, floors buckle. Baseboards and transitions cover gaps but don't eliminate the need for them.
Ignoring Subfloor Issues
Flooring telegraphs subfloor problems. Squeaks, bumps, and soft spots show through any flooring type. Proper subfloor preparation is essential for professional results.
Wrong Flooring for the Space
Solid hardwood in bathrooms, basements, or over concrete will fail. Non-slip tile is required in wet areas. Match flooring type to room conditions and intended use.
Ordering Insufficient Material
Running short mid-project means waiting for backorders or risking dye lot variations. Order 10-15% overage and keep extras for repairs. Running short is more expensive than having extra.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should hardwood flooring acclimate before installation?
Solid hardwood should acclimate for 5-14 days in the installation environment, while engineered hardwood typically needs 3-5 days. The flooring should reach equilibrium with the room's temperature and humidity. Always check manufacturer specifications for exact requirements.
What is the best flooring for a whole-home remodel?
The best approach is using different flooring types suited to each area: hardwood or LVP for living spaces and bedrooms, tile for bathrooms and entryways, and optional carpet for bedrooms. A cohesive color palette ties different materials together while optimizing for each room's use.
Should I install flooring before or after painting?
Install flooring after painting walls and ceilings to avoid paint drips on new floors. However, complete any floor sanding and finishing before final paint touch-ups. Painters should do priming and first coat before flooring, then final coat after with proper floor protection.
How do I handle flooring transitions between rooms?
Use T-molding transitions between flooring of similar heights, reducers when transitioning from higher to lower flooring, and thresholds at exterior doors. Locate transitions in doorways centered under the door when closed. Match transition finish to the more prominent flooring type.
What subfloor preparation is required for different flooring types?
All flooring requires clean, dry, level subfloors. Hardwood needs maximum 3/16-inch variation per 10 feet. Tile requires cement board substrate. LVP is most forgiving but still needs flat surfaces. Test moisture levels - concrete should be below 3 lbs per 1000 sq ft on calcium chloride test.