Career & application guide

Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles

Get to know the work, the skills that matter, and how to prepare your next application.

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What do floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles do?

Apply blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

  • Floor Covering Contractor
  • Floor Coverings Installer
  • Floor Installer
  • Floor Layer
  • Flooring Installer
  • Flooring Mechanic
  • Tile Installer
  • Tile Setter

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

  • Cut covering and foundation materials, according to blueprints and sketches.
  • Trim excess covering materials, tack edges, and join sections of covering material to form tight joint.
  • Cut flooring material to fit around obstructions.
  • Roll and press sheet wall and floor covering into cement base to smooth and finish surface, using hand roller.
  • Lay out, position, and apply shock-absorbing, sound-deadening, or decorative coverings to floors, walls, and cabinets, following guidelines to keep courses straight and create designs.
  • Sweep, scrape, sand, or chip dirt and irregularities to clean base surfaces, correcting imperfections that may show through the covering.
  • Measure and mark guidelines on surfaces or foundations, using chalk lines and dividers.
  • Inspect surface to be covered to ensure that it is firm and dry.
  • Form a smooth foundation by stapling plywood or Masonite over the floor or by brushing waterproof compound onto surface and filling cracks with plaster, putty, or grout to seal pores.
  • Apply adhesive cement to floor or wall material to join and adhere foundation material.

Prepare an application for this occupation

  1. Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
  2. Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
  3. Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
  4. Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

Ready to plan your search?

Start with floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles as your target. You can change your role in the quiz and tell us your location and work preferences.

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