How to Build an ADU, Day 14: Flooring

Setting the Foundation of Your Interior: Flooring

Flooring is one of the first things people notice when they walk into a space. It covers every square foot, sets the visual tone, and needs to withstand years of daily use. Choosing the right flooring for your ADU means balancing aesthetics, durability, maintenance, and budget.

Best Flooring Options for ADUs

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) — Our #1 Recommendation

LVP has become the gold standard for ADU flooring, and for good reason:

• 100% waterproof — ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas
• Extremely durable — resistant to scratches, dents, and wear
• Realistic appearance — modern LVP is nearly indistinguishable from real wood
• Easy maintenance — sweep and mop, no special treatments
• Comfortable underfoot — softer than tile, warmer too
• Cost-effective — contact us for pricing
• Can run throughout the entire ADU — one continuous floor from room to room

Porcelain Tile

• Best for bathrooms and wet areas
• Extremely durable and waterproof
• Cold underfoot (consider radiant heating)
• Costs vary — contact us for a detailed quote
• Use wood-look porcelain if you want a warm aesthetic in wet areas

Engineered Hardwood

• Real wood top layer bonded to plywood base
• Beautiful, warm, and adds value
• Not ideal for bathrooms or high-moisture areas
• Costs vary — contact us for a detailed quote
• More susceptible to scratches and water damage than LVP

Polished Concrete

• Modern, industrial aesthetic
• Extremely durable and easy to maintain
• Works with radiant floor heating
• Costs vary — contact us for a detailed quote (stain and seal existing slab)
• Can feel cold and hard underfoot

Installation Process

For LVP (Click-Lock Floating Floor):

1. Subfloor preparation — must be clean, level, and dry
2. Underlayment installation (foam pad for sound dampening)
3. Planks click together without glue or nails
4. Spacers maintain expansion gap at walls
5. Transition strips at doorways and material changes
6. Baseboards and shoe molding cover the expansion gaps

Timeline: A full ADU floor (500-800 sq ft) takes 1-2 days to install

For Tile:

1. Cement board or prepared subfloor
2. Thinset mortar application
3. Tile setting with spacers
4. Grouting after 24-hour cure
5. Sealing and caulking

Timeline: 3-5 days including cure time

Smart Flooring Strategies for ADUs

1. Use one material throughout — continuous flooring makes small spaces feel larger
2. Run planks the long way — orient LVP or hardwood along the longest wall to elongate the space
3. Use tile only where needed — shower floor and possibly bathroom floor, then LVP everywhere else
4. Choose medium tones — very light floors show every crumb, very dark floors show every dust bunny
5. Consider your tenant — if it's a rental, durability trumps luxury

Budget

• LVP throughout a 600 sq ft ADU: a property-specific written estimate
• Engineered hardwood: a property-specific written estimate
• Porcelain tile throughout: a property-specific written estimate
• Polished concrete: a property-specific written estimate

Coming Up Next

Day 15: Cabinets & Countertops — designing and installing the kitchen and bathroom cabinetry that makes your ADU functional and beautiful.

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Vision ADU installs premium flooring on every project. Get your free estimate today.

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