The first step in laying out the tile is to find the midpoint of each wall and snap chalk lines on the floor. The starting point for laying your tile will be in the center of the room where the lines cross. You should begin laying the tile at this center point and work outward from there.
Start from one corner in the widest part of the room and work to the opposite/smallest end (could be a hallway or kitchen with cabinets or something). If the area to be covered is rectangle, lay the planks parallel to the long axis of the room OR, match any existing plank flooring direction.
Apply “The Rule of Three” to Home Flooring
This rule says you should use three flooring types at maximum throughout the whole home. For example, you might use hardwood in public areas of the house, except the kitchen and bathroom, where you use vinyl linoleum.
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.
Install the First Row
If the door to the room is located on one of the shorter walls, start laying the planks on the door side of the room. This will ensure you have the clean, uncut edge at the threshold. Begin the first row of flooring by placing the planks with the tongue side facing the wall.
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.
Many flooring installation professionals prefer to start laying the first course of hardwood in the middle of a room instead of against a wall to achieve visual balance and allow the wood to expand equally in both directions, which can reduce the potential for cupping.
Flooring installation can cost anywhere from $2 to $20 per square foot of flooring installed, or $1,000 to $10,000 for 500 square feet of flooring. The national average flooring installation cost is around $7 per square foot or $3,500 per 500 square feet, which includes the cost of both materials and labor.
Square footage = Length (feet) × Width (feet)
Accurately calculating it before beginning any project can help save time and money in the long run by making sure that the materials ordered are exactly what is needed for a certain space and nothing more or less than what is required.
The ideal way to lay your flooring: room and light
As a general rule, make sure to lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source in a room and in the same line as the most frequently used entrance.
Staggering not only creates a more natural and visually appealing look but also improves the overall strength and durability of your floor. Here's why: Prevents Seam Alignment: Staggering ensures that the seams of your planks don't line up perfectly in adjacent rows and prevents potential weak spots.
Professional contractors generally recommend installing new flooring before placing the toilet. This approach creates a cleaner, more polished look and helps prevent future maintenance issues.
Starting Point: The front door is the ideal starting point for installation. Not only does this area need to look pristine, but it's also the first impression of your home.
STEP 1: Prepare your subfloor
The first step depends on the type of subfloor you're working with, so you'll have to inspect it. We highly recommend working on a level, stable, and clean subfloor. Don't forget to check for any loose parts. How big can the joints in your existing tile floor be?
The more expensive flooring upgrades yield the highest returns and appeal most to homebuyers. And hardwood is the clear winner, followed by engineered hardwood and tile. Carpet and luxury vinyl tiles add comparable value, though vinyl is the cheapest option.
The average cost to install 1,000 square feet of vinyl flooring is between $2,000 and $7,000 for standard vinyl planks and between $3,000 and $10,000 for luxury vinyl planks. Adding in labor costs brings the total to between $5,000 and $20,000.
While costs are similar, the value of premium vinyl far exceeds that of laminate based on quality and value. Unlike laminate, premium vinyl is durable and stable, resistant to moisture and climate, and is easy to install and maintain. Laminate is restricted to light traffic and low moisture applications.
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.
Choosing the same flooring for all the rooms creates a unified and harmonious environment, and creates a visual effect that expands its dimensions, which allows us to better plan a reform. However, in open-plan dwellings such as studios or lofts, the flooring can help to delimit areas in an organic way.
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.
Vinyl tiles are easy to install and they can stand the test of time. They are durable and can be utilized outdoors. Porcelain tiles are also easy to install, as long as you have the correct tools.