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Buying Guide: Shop for Floor Installation Materials

3 min read
Published on May 26, 2022

New flooring can transform a room’s décor while also increasing its functionality. But in order to reap the full benefits of a new floor—be it wear-resistance, waterproofing, or aesthetic appeal—it’s crucial to install the floor correctly.

At LL Flooring, we carry the installation materials that both professionals and DIYers need to lay hardwood, tile, and other quality flooring products. You’ll find items for every step of the process—from subfloor preparation and installation to the trims and moldings that complete the look. We even have knee pads that won't scratch the flooring to keep you comfortable while you work.

 

A man installs flooring over an underlayment he placed on the subfloor
Underlayment goes 'under' your new flooring.

 

Subfloor Prep, Underlayment, and Padding

What lies under your floor plays a huge role in how well your floor performs. It can also improve the feel of your floor underfoot. That’s why the first step in flooring installation is to prepare your subfloor properly. At LL Flooring, you’ll find materials to level your subfloor, prevent moisture, and increase comfort.

Subfloor Prep

For rough and uneven subfloors, self-leveling cement will create a smooth surface on which to lay new flooring such as tile. It can also be used alone as a wear layer. You can make smaller repairs using latex-fortified cement patches. If you’re installing tile over a plywood subfloor, cement backerboard is ideal for ensuring a stable and even surface.

Underlayment and Padding

Our flexible underlayment options perform a variety of functions. Poly sheeting acts as a moisture barrier between laminate, vinyl, and engineered floating planks that will be installed over concrete. We carry a wide selection of other underlayment and padding options that will help smooth out subfloor imperfections and provide sound absorption and improved thermal properties. Our natural cork underlayment reduces sound from the surface of the floor down to the living spaces below. You can use cork under a variety of flooring types.

For ultimate comfort under ceramic or porcelain tile, our QuietWarmth radiant heating fiber underlayment—which operates in conjunction with our QuietWarmth thermostat—will not only warm your floor and assist in heating your room but will suppress impact sound.

 

 

Tools and Hardware

Look to LL Flooring for the extensive selection of tools and accessories you'll need for the entire installation process. You can find items from a simple pry bar for removing your old flooring to a moisture meter, which will determine if any moisture mitigation measures are needed for your subfloor and whether your wood planks are properly acclimated. When it’s time to install your hardwood planks, stock up on the cleats you need as well as the pneumatic nailer to get the job done quicker and more efficiently. We have flooring cutters for luxury vinyl flooring and heavier-duty cutters for laminate and engineered wood.

 

laminate and vinyl plank flooring cutter
Review for the Norge Multi Purpose Flooring Cutter: "This device is a game changer over a compound miter saw. You're not creating a lot of dust, so you can have the device inside right next to where you're working. That means you're eliminating a bunch of extra steps and a bunch of extra time."

 

Tile Accessories

To aid in tile work, we carry trowels for spreading mortar over your prepared subfloor and grout float for spreading epoxy grout into the tile joints. Tile hardware includes backerboard screws and tile spacers to keep your tile pattern neat and evenly spaced. We stock tile nippers and even ceramic tile blades for your wet saw, which you can also buy at LL Flooring.

Kits are a convenient way to ensure you have all the items you need for completing particular tasks and projects. We carry wedge lippage systems for spacing your tiles, self-leveling tool kits, and various click floor installation kits.

Adhesives, Grout, and Mortar

We have a selection of adhesive formulas designed for different purposes and materials. Some are used to attach underlayment to porous and non-porous subfloors, while others are formulated to provide a tough but flexible bond to wood flooring.

For tiling, you'll find a selection of thin-set mortar and medium bed mortar as well as roll-on waterproofing membranes that prevent cracking beneath thin-set installations. We carry traditional sanded grout and ready-to-use, pre-mixed urethane grout with a sealer already incorporated. We also stock silicone sealant and mold and mildew-resistant caulk.

Trims and Molding

To finish off your flooring installation, be sure to include the trims and molding that give your floors a complete and professional look. Shop for baseboards and shoe molding to frame your lovely new floors and to hide the expansion gap between the wall and wood flooring. Shop for T-molding, reducers, and end caps to create smooth and eye-pleasing transitions from one type of floor surface to another. Our aluminum edging for tile comes in attractive finishes such as Satin Nickel and Dark Bronze.

 

 

You’ll also discover items that extend your flooring to other areas of your home. Coordinating stair treads, risers, and noses create a cohesive interior design, while grills, vent covers, and grates add a stylish accent to your vents.

These are just a selection of the many types of installation materials we stock here at LL Flooring. To keep your newly installed floor looking beautiful for years to come, shop our maintenance supplies such as floor cleaners, spray mops, scratch repair pens, and felt pads to place under furniture.