Linoleum or Tile

• 1). Level the floor as much as possible. Check for evenness in the floor's surface by laying a level on the floor starting at one corner and moving the level across the floor a few inches at a time. If the level sits unevenly on the floor, or you notice dips beneath the level, mark these spots and fill them in using leveling compound. Once the leveling compound dries, use sandpaper to sand the compound so that it is even with the floor.
  
  
• 2). Put down a waterproof underlay in rooms that may have frequent spills, like kitchens and in bathrooms. Though waterproof underlays may install differently, in general, roll out the underlay, cut to the size of the room, peel off the backing and press into place. If the underlay doesn't have an adhesive, use staples or nails at the edges to hold the underlay in place.
  
  
• 3). Roll out linoleum over the floor and cut to size, or lay out your tile design on the floor's surface. Before beginning a tile design, measure down each wall and mark the center and snap chalk lines across the room to find the room's center. Lay the design from the center outward and cut down edge tiles, if necessary, with a tile saw.
  
  
• 4). Secure the linoleum or the tiles to the flooring using an adhesive labeled for linoleum or tile installation. Spread the adhesive onto the floor's surface with a trowel and press the linoleum or tiles into place, using tile spacers between tiles. Allow the floor to dry 24 hours.
  
  
• 5). Apply caulk to the spaces between tiles on a tiled floor, spreading the grout with a trowel and wiping away any excess. Caulk around the floor's edges against walls. Wait 24 hours and seal the caulk between the tiles by brushing on grout sealer with a paintbrush.
  
  

Carpet

• 1). Roll out the carpet and cut down to size, or lay out carpet tiles in the pattern you want on the floor. Put tiles down so the edges push tightly together. If you need to trim down edge carpet tiles, cut with a utility knife.
  
  
• 2). Apply adhesive to the floor with a trowel and press the carpet into place. For carpet tiles, peel away the paper backing and use the adhesive on the backs of the tiles. Leave the edges where carpet pieces or tiles touch up off the floor.
  
  
• 3). Measure each seam where the carpet comes together with a measuring tape and cut a piece of seaming tape the same size. Place the seaming tape with the adhesive side up on the floor under the edges where the pieces of carpet come together.
  
  
• 4). Press a seaming iron over the seaming tape approximately 15 or 20 seconds to get the adhesive hot. Push the carpet edges down onto the seaming tape, holding them down for 15 or so seconds until the seams hold together. Repeat for all seams in your carpet layout.