Flooring Installation Course

Lesson 1 • Essential Tools and Equipment

Covers hand tools, power tools, and measuring instruments used across flooring trades. Proper tool selection reduces errors and improves installation efficiency.

Lesson 2 • Overview of Flooring Material Types

Introduces hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile, and carpet categories. Establishes material literacy needed for all subsequent installation decisions.

Lesson 3 • Professional Standards and Work Ethics

Defines industry quality benchmarks, client communication expectations, and workmanship warranties. Sets the professional mindset required throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Reading Plans and Specifications

Teaches interpretation of architectural drawings, floor plans, and material schedules. Accurate plan reading prevents costly installation mistakes.

Lesson 1 • Subfloor Types and Structural Systems

Examines concrete slabs, plywood, OSB, and existing flooring as subfloor bases. Understanding structural systems guides correct preparation methods.

Lesson 2 • Underlayment Selection and Installation

Matches underlayment type to flooring material and subfloor conditions. Correct underlayment improves acoustics, comfort, and moisture resistance.

Lesson 3 • Subfloor Repair and Patching

Covers grinding high spots, filling voids, and replacing damaged panels. Repairs must cure fully before flooring installation begins.

Lesson 4 • Flatness, Levelness, and Tolerance

Teaches measurement of surface flatness using straightedges and laser levels against industry tolerances. Flat substrates prevent hollow spots and joint failure.

Lesson 1 • Establishing Reference Lines and Starting Points

Demonstrates chalk line snapping, squaring rooms with the 3-4-5 method, and selecting optimal starting walls. Reference lines control alignment throughout the installation.

Lesson 2 • Pattern and Direction Planning

Addresses plank direction relative to light sources, pattern centering, and diagonal layouts. Visual planning decisions made here affect the finished room's appearance.

Lesson 3 • Material Quantity Estimation

Covers area calculation, waste factor application, and ordering overage for cuts and defects. Correct estimation prevents costly mid-project shortages.

Lesson 4 • Room Measurement Techniques

Teaches accurate measurement of rectangular, L-shaped, and irregular rooms. Precise measurements drive accurate material ordering and reduce waste.

Lesson 1 • Nail-Down Installation Method

Teaches face-nailing starter rows, blind-nailing with a flooring nailer, and maintaining consistent spacing. Nail-down is the standard method for solid hardwood over wood subfloors.

Lesson 2 • Finishing and Sanding Hardwood

Covers drum sanding sequence, edge sanding, stain application, and topcoat selection. Site-finished hardwood requires precise sanding to achieve a smooth, uniform surface.

Lesson 3 • Floating Engineered Hardwood

Demonstrates click-lock and glued-joint floating methods with expansion gap management. Floating systems allow installation over radiant heat and below-grade spaces.

Lesson 4 • Glue-Down Installation Method

Covers trowel notch selection, adhesive spread rate, and open time management for glue-down hardwood. Proper adhesive technique prevents hollow spots and edge lifting.

Lesson 1 • Resilient Flooring Transitions and Trim

Covers reducer, T-molding, end cap, and stair nose selection and installation. Proper transitions protect edges and create professional finished appearances.

Lesson 2 • Glue-Down Resilient Tile Installation

Covers adhesive selection, trowel notch sizing, and tile alignment for full-spread glue-down installations. Glue-down provides superior stability in high-traffic commercial settings.

Lesson 3 • Floating LVP and LVT Installation

Teaches click-lock assembly, stagger patterns, and expansion gap management for floating resilient floors. Floating systems require no adhesive and allow faster installation.

Lesson 4 • Resilient Flooring Product Knowledge

Distinguishes LVP, LVT, WPC, SPC, and sheet vinyl by construction and performance. Product knowledge drives correct installation method and adhesive selection.

Lesson 1 • Grouting, Caulking, and Sealing

Demonstrates grout type selection, mixing, application, and haze removal followed by sealer application. Proper grouting and sealing protect the installation from moisture and staining.

Lesson 2 • Mortar and Adhesive Selection

Distinguishes thin-set types, large-format mortars, and epoxy adhesives by application. Correct mortar selection ensures bond strength and prevents tile failure.

Lesson 3 • Tile Layout and Setting

Teaches back-buttering, trowel combing, and tile placement with consistent joint spacing. Proper setting technique achieves full mortar coverage and prevents hollow tiles.

Lesson 4 • Cutting Tile Accurately

Covers wet saw operation, angle grinder use, and tile nippers for straight, angled, and curved cuts. Precise cuts produce tight joints and professional finished edges.

Lesson 1 • Carpet Seaming Techniques

Demonstrates hot-melt seam tape, seam iron operation, and seam placement for invisible joins. Seam quality is the most visible indicator of carpet installation craftsmanship.

Lesson 2 • Carpet and Pad Selection

Covers carpet fiber, pile type, density ratings, and pad thickness for residential and commercial use. Correct pad selection extends carpet life and improves underfoot comfort.

Lesson 3 • Power Stretching and Finishing

Teaches power stretcher setup, stretching sequence, and tucking carpet onto tack strips. Power stretching prevents rippling and is required for warranty compliance.

Lesson 4 • Tack Strip Installation

Teaches tack strip spacing from walls, fastening to concrete and wood, and cutting around obstacles. Properly placed tack strips anchor carpet securely at all perimeters.

Lesson 1 • Large-Format Tile and Slab Installation

Covers lippage control, back-buttering requirements, and mechanical lifting for tiles exceeding 15 inches. Large-format installations demand exceptional substrate flatness and mortar coverage.

Lesson 2 • Radiant Heat System Compatibility

Addresses flooring material compatibility with hydronic and electric radiant heat and temperature management protocols. Incompatible materials over radiant heat cause warping and adhesive failure.

Lesson 3 • Multi-Material Transition Design

Plans and executes transitions between hardwood, tile, carpet, and resilient flooring at different heights. Smooth transitions are both functional and a mark of professional craftsmanship.

Lesson 4 • Pattern and Medallion Installations

Teaches inlay cutting, medallion setting, and decorative border installation for custom flooring designs. Pattern work requires advanced layout geometry and precise cutting skills.