tiles, to which you must add 5 percent for waste. The total number of tiles required is 1,028. When tiling large areas, work from several different boxes of tile. This will avoid concentrating one color shade variation in one area of the floor. SHEET VINYL FLOORING Because of its flexibility, vinyl flooring is very easy to install. Since sheets are available in 6- to 12-foot widths, many installations can be made free of seams. Flexible vinyl flooring is fastened down only around the edges  and  at  seams.  It  can  be  installed  over  concrete, plywood,  or  old  linoleum. To install, spread the sheet smoothly over the floor. Let excess material turn up around the edges of the room.  Where  there  are  seams,  carefully  match  the pattern.  Fasten  the  two  sections  to  the  floor  with adhesive. Trim the edges to size by creasing the vinyl sheet material at intersections of the floor and walls and cutting it with a utility knife drawn along a straightedge. Be sure the straightedge is parallel to the wall. After the edges are trimmed and fitted, secure them with a staple gun, or use a band of double-faced adhesive tape.  Always  study  the  manufacturer’s  directions carefully before starting the work. WALL-TO-WALL CARPETING Wall-to-wall carpeting can make a small room look larger,  insulate  against  drafty  floors,  and  do  a  certain amount  of  soundproofing.  Carpeting  is  not  difficult  to install. All carpets consist of a surface pile and backing. The surface pile may be nylon, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic, wool, or cotton. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The type you select depends on your needs.  Carpeting  can  be  purchased  in  9-,  12-,  and 15-foot widths. Measuring  and  Estimating Measure the room in the direction in which the carpet will be hid. To broaden long, narrow rooms, lay patterned or striped carpeting across the width. For conventional y rectangular rooms, measure the room lengthwise. Include the full width of doorframes so the carpet will extend slightly into the adjoining room. When measuring a room with alcoves or numerous wall projections, calculate on the basis of the widest and longest points. This will result in some waste material, but is safer than ordering less than what you need. Most wall-to-wall carpeting is priced by the square yard. To determine how many square yards you need, multiply the length by the width of the room in feet and divide the result by 9. Underpayment Except  for  so-called  “one-piece”  and  cushion- backed  carpeting,  underpayment  or  padding  is  essential to a good carpet installation. It prolongs the life of the carpeting, increases its soundproofing qualities, and adds to underfoot comfort. The most common types of carpet padding are latex (rubber),  sponge-rubber  foams,  soft-and-hardback  vinyl foams, and felted cushions made of animal hair or of a combination of hair and jute. Of all types, the latex and vinyl foams are generally considered the most practical. Their waffled surface tends to hold the carpet in place. Most carpet padding comes in a standard 4 1/2-foot width. Cushion-backed carpeting is increasing in popu- larity, especially with do-it-yourself homeowners. The high-density  latex  backing  is  permanently  fastened  to the carpet, which eliminates the need for a separate underpadding. It is nonskid and heavy enough to hold the carpet in place without the use of tacks. In addition, the foam rubber backing keeps the edges of the carpet from unraveling so that it need not be bound. Foam rubber is mildewproof and unaffected by water, so the carpet can be used in basements and other below-grade installations. It can even be laid directly over unfinished concrete. The key feature of this backing, however, is the dimensional stability it imparts to the carpet. This added characteristic means the carpet will not stretch, nor will it  expand  and  contract  from  temperature  or  humidity changes. Because of this, these carpets can be loose-laid, with no need for adhesive or tacks to give them stability. Preparing the Floor To  lay  carpets  successfully  on  wood  floors,  you must ensure that the surface is free of warps, and that all nails  and  tacks  are  either  removed  or  hammered  flush. Nail down any loose floorboards and plane down the ridges  of  warped  boards.  Fill  wide  cracks  between floorboards with strips of wood or wood putty. Cover floors that are warped and cracked beyond reasonable repair  with  hardboard  or  plywood. 6-8