Flooring project guides
Prep checklists, underlay and pad choices, product comparisons, and step-by-step how-tos — paired with free box and square footage calculators on flooringboxcalculator.com.
Prep & how-to
Prep & how-to
How to Measure Rooms for Flooring
Measure length, width, closets, and odd shapes so your square footage and box count are accurate before you buy.
7 min read
Prep & how-to
How to Prep a Subfloor Before Installing Flooring
Level, clean, and dry the subfloor for laminate, tile, or carpet. Fix squeaks and high spots before you open the first box.
9 min read
Prep & how-to
How to Remove Old Flooring Before Installing New
Strip carpet, laminate, vinyl, and tile safely. What to leave, what to tear out, and when asbestos testing is required.
8 min read
Prep & how-to
How Long Should Flooring Acclimate Before Install?
Why laminate, hardwood, and vinyl need to rest in the room — temperature, humidity, and manufacturer rules.
6 min read
Prep & how-to
Flooring Transitions, Reducers & Trim — What You Need
T-molds, reducers, stair noses, and baseboards at doorways and height changes. Plan trim before you calculate boxes.
6 min read
Planning & quantities
Planning & quantities
How Much Flooring Waste Should I Buy?
10% vs 15% waste for laminate, tile, and carpet — when to add more for diagonal layouts, stairs, and pattern matching.
7 min read
Planning & quantities
How Many Flooring Boxes Do I Need?
Divide room square footage (plus waste) by coverage per box. Works for laminate, LVP, and tile cartons.
6 min read
Planning & quantities
Laminate vs Tile vs Carpet — Which Flooring for Which Room?
Compare durability, moisture, comfort, cost, and DIY difficulty by room type — kitchen, bath, basement, bedroom.
8 min read
Laminate & vinyl
Laminate & vinyl
Do I Need Underlayment for Laminate Flooring?
When underlay is required, foam vs felt vs cork, vapor barriers on concrete, and attached-pad laminate exceptions.
8 min read
Laminate & vinyl
How to Install Laminate Flooring — Step-by-Step for Beginners
Underlay, first row, spacing, cutting, and finishing at doorways. Floating floor basics without glue.
10 min read
Laminate & vinyl
How to Choose Laminate Flooring — AC Rating, Thickness & Waterproof
Pick the right laminate for traffic, pets, and moisture. AC ratings, mm thickness, and when to choose LVP instead.
7 min read
Laminate & vinyl
Laminate vs Vinyl Plank (LVP) — Which Should You Buy?
Compare waterproofing, install method, feel, price, and resale for laminate versus luxury vinyl plank.
7 min read
Tile
Tile
Tile Underlayment & Membrane — Backer Board, DITRA & More
Cement board, fiber cement, uncoupling membrane, and when you need them over plywood or concrete.
8 min read
Tile
How to Prep for a Tile Floor Installation
Flatness, layout lines, thinset choice, and dry-fitting before you mix mortar.
9 min read
Tile
How to Choose Floor Tile — Porcelain vs Ceramic, PEI & Slip
Pick tile that survives foot traffic, pets, and wet feet. PEI ratings, COF slip resistance, and size trends.
7 min read
Tile
Large Format Tile — Install Tips & Extra Waste
12×24 and bigger tile needs flat floors, leveling clips, and 15–20% waste. What DIYers should know.
6 min read
Carpet
Carpet
Carpet Pad Guide — Do You Need Pad & Which Type?
Foam, rubber, and fiber pad. Thickness limits, moisture barriers, and ordering the same sq yd as carpet.
7 min read
Carpet
How to Choose Carpet for Bedrooms, Stairs & Living Areas
Fiber types (nylon, polyester, wool), pile cut vs loop, and durability by room.
7 min read