How to Start Flooring With Hardwood & Ceramic Tile

Staggered seams ensure stability in flooring.

When installing hardwood flooring, lay the planks perpendicular to the floor joists to avoid sagging, squeaking and buckling. The installation starts with the first row of planks laid parallel to a wall. For installation of ceramic tile, the starting point is in the center of the room, and subsequent tiles are then laid out in quadrants. Before laying any flooring, remove the existing flooring and floor molding, make any necessary repairs such as leveling and clean the floor.

Things You'll Need

• Underlayment
• Chalkline
• Hardwood flooring
• Ceramic tile
• Adhesive

Instructions

Hardwood

1. Install underlayment according to manufacturer's instructions. Underlayment prevents erosion to the flooring and subfloor and reduces noise.

2. Start the installation along one of the long walls of the room, assuming this allows you to lay the planks perpendicular to the floor joists.

3. Use a chalkline to create a starting guideline. Snap the chalkline 1/2 inch from the wall. The space ensures room for expansion and contraction of the flooring. Place spacers between the wall and chalkline to ensure the planks don't shift during installation.

4. Lay the first row of planks with the tongue edges pointed outward, toward the interior of the room. Line the grooved edges up with the chalkline.

5. Mark the end plank for the cut, but don't cut yet. Lay the second row beside the first row but do not secure the planks together. This is called a dry fit. The end seams should be staggered to ensure a secure fit.

6. Hold the chalkline along the outward edge of the second row and snap the line. Remove the second row. If the chalkline is parallel to the first row, the planks will run evenly. Make the cut to finish the first row. Install the second row and continue the installation.

Ceramic Tile

1. Install cement backerboard if your subfloor is plywood, securing the backerboard to the subfloor and the joists.

2. Measure the width of the room and divide that number by two to get the center of the shorter walls. Find the center and run a chalkline across the room, from wall to wall, and snap the line.

3. Repeat the process for the length of the room, snapping the chalkline across the floor. The center of the room is where the two chalklines intercept. The chalklines have also created the quadrants needed to complete the installation.

4. Center one tile at the intersection of the chalklines. Use the chalklines as a guide and lay tiles in each direction from the center tile. Do not glue down the tiles. Leave enough space between each tile to represent the grout lines.

5. Stand back and look at the "cross." Note the distance between the last tiles at the ends of the rows and the walls. Measure these distances to ensure all the end cuts are close enough in size to ensure the tile "border" appears balanced.

6. Remove all the tiles. Starting at the center, apply the adhesive to a 2-foot-by 2-foot space. Lay the center tile, using the chalklines to center it. Lay one tile to each side of the center tile, using the chalklines as guides. Insert spacers between the tiles. Continue the installation, installing by quadrants.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a rubber mallet to secure the tongue and groove planks.

References

• Wood's The Best: Installing Hardwood Flooring
• Popular Mechanics: How to Build a Hardwood Floor This Weekend
• Danny Lipford: Installing Tile Over a Wood Subfloor

Resources

• World Floor Covering Association: How to Clean a Hardwood Floor