Flooring •
Hardwood vs. Laminate Flooring Prices
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Home Cost Experts
Construction Estimator
Table of Contents
Floor Replacement Options: Premium Wood vs. Engineered Layers
Selecting a flooring material dramatically alters both installation complexity and property appraisal values.
Installation Cost Comparison
- Laminate: Material ranges from $2 to $6 per sq ft. Simple floating-click lock installation allows lower labor fees ($2 to $4 per sq ft).
- Solid Hardwood: Materials cost $6 to $15 per sq ft. Requires subfloor acclimation, nailing, and edge gluing, resulting in higher installation fees ($5 to $10 per sq ft).
Refinishing and Durability
Hardwood is a lifetime asset that appreciates in value and can be sanded down to change stain colors. Laminate cannot be sanded down; once the top protective layer wears thin, the boards must be completely replaced.
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Written by Home Cost Experts
Home Cost Experts is a construction estimator with over 15 years of residential construction planning experience. He oversees our cost verification pipeline.