Does flooring go down before walls?

Author: Dr. Webster Wunsch II  |  Last update: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Framing & Drywall Framing should ideally be done before flooring as well, but drywall is up to you. It is traditionally installed before flooring, but does not have to be. Designer Amy Pigliacampo proved in her Boulder home that installing drywall after flooring can be beautiful.

Do you install flooring before walls?

In construction and renovation, the general practice is to install floors first before adding walls. This approach allows for easier installation of flooring materials and ensures a cleaner finish.

What goes first, flooring or walls?

Drywall goes up before the finished flooring goes down.

Does flooring go under walls?

Do walls sit on top of subfloor? Walls are built on top of a home's subfloor, so replacing the subfloor can sometimes require removing the walls.

Where do you start laying flooring?

We recommend starting in the left corner of the longest wall in the room and to install the planks in the same direction as the main light source (e.g. the main window). Planks are always installed from left to right.

Determining the direction to lay/install Hardwood, Laminate, or Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring

Why do you start flooring in the middle?

This can work well in square or rectangular rooms, but if the room has an uneven shape or the flooring is laid diagonally, it's not practical to start against a wall. In these cases, the best method is to snap a line down the center of the room and use that as a reference point for laying the first course.

What is the starting point of flooring?

Keep in mind that most of the time, tiles should begin from the center of the room. This rule doesn't apply to every situation, but it's a good starting point. When it comes to floor tiles, starting from the center of the room will make your job easier, and the tiling pattern will be symmetrical.

Does flooring usually go under cabinets?

If your remodel also includes laying new floors, most experts agree that it's better to install kitchen flooring before cabinets.

Should floor tile go under drywall?

Drywall first. It's always held up off the floor about 1/2 due to the wall heights. Tile goes in after drywall.

How much space should I leave between flooring and wall?

Generally, a gap of 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch is recommended for hardwood flooring, while laminate flooring typically requires a gap of 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch. It's important to note that the expansion gap should be consistent throughout the room, including around obstacles such as doorways, cabinets, and pipes.

Do you pour walls or floor first?

Understanding Basement Construction
  1. The Footing: First to be poured in a new basement build is the footing. ...
  2. The Wall: Basement walls are installed next and are typically constructed of poured concrete, or concrete blocks.

What goes down before flooring?

You have the top layer that is your floor covering (Hardwood, Laminate, Vinyl, Carpet, etc.), next you have the underlayment (usually a thin layer of fiber, foam, rubber), below that you have your subfloor (plywood, OSB, concrete), and lastly you have the joists which are the foundation to your floors.

What comes first in remodeling?

Demolition

It's the first major step in transforming your home, setting the stage for the construction to follow.

Should you install floor or wall first?

If you're working on it yourself and have more time to spare, then tile the floor first as this makes tiling the walls easier. Just bear in mind that you must wait for the adhesive to dry before you begin working on the walls.

Should you do carpet or drywall first?

If you're planning on installing both drywall and flooring, it's generally a good idea to install the drywall first. That way, any mess or debris from the drywall installation won't damage your new flooring. Plus, it's easier to cut the drywall to fit around the edges of your flooring than the other way around.

Do you put flooring down before or after drywall?

While the flooring that is laid down after the drywall is installed will correct imperfections in the floor, any small hill in the concrete will cause a full sheet of drywall to be out of level if the drywall is placed directly on the floor.

What goes between drywall and floor?

Vertical joints in drywall are also called "butt joints." Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor. This allows for floor and wall expansion without cracking the drywall. It also helps prevents moisture wicking if the floor floods.

What comes first, tile or drywall?

Professional experts use a ledger or a space saver to leave a space for the floor tile to install after doing the wall. When you start to tile the floor, you first install the floor tile closest to the wall and then lay the other floor tiles.

Do you put flooring under appliances?

While installing flooring under appliances provides protection for your subfloor and offers a seamless look, it's not always necessary for every kitchen. For instance, built-in appliances, like wall ovens or cooktops, often don't need flooring underneath since they are more permanent fixtures.

Do you put flooring under bathroom cabinets?

Your Flooring Material Is Delicate.

Installing cabinets first protects your bathroom's flooring material from chipping, scratching, soiling, and other damage associated with moving heavy cabinets and equipment on the delicate flooring materials.

Should you install flooring before or after kitchen installation?

Here are the main advantages of laying flooring first: Installation is easier: When you start with your flooring, you usually fit it to the entire kitchen area. This means it doesn't need to be cut around your cabinetry and should be quicker and easier to install. This, in turn, could save you on installation costs.

What is the 3/4/5 rule for tiling?

To get a perfectly square corner, you want to aim for a measurement ratio of 3:4:5. In other words, you want a three-foot length on your straight line, a four-foot length on your perpendicular line, and a five-foot length across. If all three measurements are correct, you'll have a perfectly square corner.

Where is the best place to start flooring?

To lay your flooring in a basic pattern, design experts recommend starting from the most visible wall of the room from the entrance. Lay your planks so that they run from end to end, parallel against this wall. It's recommended you start ¼ of an inch off the wall.

What is the first floor in a house called?

In the United States, the first floor and ground floor are usually equivalent, being at ground level, and may also be called the "lobby" or "main floor" to indicate the entrance to the building.

Previous article
What absorbs smoke in a room?
Next article
What is the nighttime temperature for peppers?