A professional construction worker who measures, cuts, and installs flooring materials in homes and businesses is known as a floor layer. Most floor layers specialize in a specific product type, such as linoleum, hardwood, vinyl, tile, or carpet. Floor layers’ responsibilities vary specialty, but they all require a keen eye for detail, a grasp of math and measurements, and the ability to create attractive, functional floors.
Professional floor layers acquire and deliver materials to the construction site when a new house or business is built. Experts inspect and level the surface where the new floor covering will be installed, take precise room measurements, and cut materials precisely to specifications. A floor layer must be prepared to work long hours and lift, stretch, and bend frequently. The length of a job is determined the size and shape of the rooms, the type of flooring used, and the number of workers available, which can range from a few hours to several days.
Layers may use a variety of tools and techniques in their work, depending on the type of flooring material. To ensure a proper fit, carpet layers use adhesives, knives, stretching tools, and staples, while tile layers use specialized cutting tools, grout applicators, and sanders to complete custom jobs. Installing moisture-tight insulation, coating the area with a special glue, laying down flooring material, and using putty knives and levels to remove dents and bubbles are common tasks for those who specialize in linoleum and laminate floor coverings. To join wooden slats together, a hardwood floor layer typically employs a variety of carpentry tools and wood glue.
The majority of floor layers work for construction companies and private contractors as union workers. Retail flooring stores that provide installation and repair services frequently hire layers to assist homeowners and business owners. Some experienced, successful floor layers choose to start their own businesses, where they can hire employees, provide customer service, advertise, and order supplies from distributors, among other things.
Although some professionals choose to attend classroom training programs at vocational schools and community colleges, there are no strict educational requirements to become a floor layer. The majority of workers learn the trade assisting experienced floor layers and receiving on-the-job training. Carrying tools and materials to and from a job site, cutting pieces according to measurements, laying materials in place, and cleaning up after a job are common tasks for new workers. A new floor layer may be given the opportunity to perform more difficult or delicate tasks after demonstrating his or her competency for the job.