Hardwood Flooring Prices | Installation Cost Per Sq. Ft.

Everyone is aware that hardwood flooring can be more expensive compared to other types of flooring for home installation. However, the popularity of hardwood floors continues to rise as time goes by. If you’re curious to know why this trend is growing, keep reading!

You surely have seen them in every other place due to the numerous advantages it serves. However, this guide is not only about their advantages or disadvantages or how to install them.

In today’s article, we will discuss hardwood flooring prices so that you get a better idea if you are planning to install them sooner or later.

It is also essential to know what factors affect the final cost and how we can deal with it to make it the least expensive. Let’s get started.

Hardwood Flooring Cost

If we talk the average cost that one spends on the installation is expected to be $4,213. It can exceed $2,311 and $6,115.

The minimum per square foot cost would be $6 to $11 while the maximum per square foot cost would be $12 to $23 depending on the material and labor cost.

The hardwood floor installation cost also depends on the amount of work that labor has to do including trimming, subfloor preparation, etc.

By setting your budget at the start and with proper planning you can surely get the work done at a budget-friendly price. For this purpose, take notes from this guide and keep an eye on the factors that affect the price.

Hardwood Flooring Cost Per Square Foot

The per square foot installation cost of hardwood floors is expected to be $6 to $23 while the average cost to install hardwood flooring is approximately $8 and $15.

This difference is because of the wood type that you choose according to the requirement. Moreover, it also depends on the professional that you hire for accurate installation.

There are different types of hardwood floors including engineered hardwood and traditional hardwood. Each type is further divided into different grades including low grade, mid-grade, and high grade.

Average Labor Cost for Installing Hardwood Floors

If you opt for a professional to install hardwood floors, the expected per square foot cost would be $3 to $9.

Always ask from multiple professionals because you might get someone who is willing to install at a low cost. Tough, you can also go for a DIY project but many people don’t prefer it.

Factors in Calculating Hardwood Flooring Cost

Various factors are involved in calculating the hardwood flooring cost including square foot material, wood type, plank width, color, thickness, pattern, etc.

Different types of wood flooring differ in prices and quality so it depends that which type you prefer in your home.

You have various options to choose from but before choosing, you should be aware of each type and its pros and cons to make a better decision. Let’s talk about the factors below.

Grain and Color

If you ever decide to switch to hardwood floors, the first thing that comes to your mind is the color that matches the interior and furniture.

For instance, if you want to keep it light and minimal, choose paler woods like apple or ash. On the other hand, if you want to add warmth, oak and hickory are the right options,

Many people prefer to have a dark wood color for which you should go for walnut and mahogany. When it comes to prices, each wood type has different prices to offer.

Oak and hickory are available at a low price as compared to mahogany. Not only color but wood grain also affect the prices.

Style and Pattern

Different patterns and styles of hardwood flooring also affect the hardwood flooring’s overall cost. The per square foot price of wood-look tile is approximately $15 to $20 and the total installation cost will be $900 to $2,700.

They are not real hardwood floors but look like them. They are durable and can easily be installed in places where there is moisture.

Talking about the herringbone pattern, it costs more than other wood floorings because a lot of wood is wasted while installing them.

If we talk about the current trend, parquet-style flooring kits that have premade wood tiles are more common and they look more classic when installed. The per square foot price of these kits is $7 to $10.

Thickness Level

It is a common factor that affects the overall price of the wood floor. The standard thickness is 3/4-inch while a few are available at 5/16-inch which is too thin to be installed.

The thickness level also affects the finishing so better choose wisely.

The thin wood floors won’t be durable and it will tear and wear after some time. On the other hand, the more the thickness, the high cost it will have but to make things durable, always go for a thick wood floor.

Hardwood Type

As mentioned above, the two most common wood types are engineered hardwood and traditional hardwood.

If you choose engineered hardwood flooring, it has a plywood base that is pretty affordable but not as durable as solid hardwood.

If you want a hardwood floor that is light on the budget, you can choose top-rated engineered hardwood flooring.

They are also moisture resistant so you can place them in any corner of the house. The per square foot price of these floors is $4.50 which can exceed $16.

The thickness level of these floors is 1/16 to 1/12. In engineered flooring, a few common types include Brazilian koa, white ash, maple, acacia, etc.

Replacement or Repairing of the Existing Hardwood

For existing hardwood flooring, you might want to repair or refinish it which demands additional cost.

If the floor only wants to refinish or sand then it can be budget-friendly but if the work is more than that, you might have to spend a lot on that.

If you have a solid wood floor, you can sand and refinish it as many times as you want. On the other hand, you can refinish engineered floors as well but a few times only.

The hardwood floor refinishing for sanding would cost you $1,000 to $2,500.

Labor and Installation

The installation and labor cost depends on the wood type that you have selected. A few wood floors take more time to install resulting in higher labor costs.

For instance, intricate and angled patterns have more cuts that waste a lot of wood which also increases the labor cost.

Similarly, before choosing any wood floor ensure that either the installation is complicated or easy. That will decide the overall hardwood flooring prices.

Coating and Finishing

The next factor is coating and finishing the floor. In order to make the wood floor durable, it is better to add a coat of ‘Finish’ that is a protective seal.

The finishing is applied after installation and is more durable that can resist any weather as well. They are composed of polyurethanes which make them long-lasting.

One of the many advantages of using pre-finishing is that you can start walking on the hardwood floor right after the installation.

You do not need to wait for the finish to dry. The per square foot price of pre-finishing is estimated at $6 to $12.

Cost of Hardwood Flooring Types

Different types of flooring are available in the market in different colors. Homeowners usually take advantage of them especially when transiting from one wood floor to another.

Let’s talk about hardwood flooring prices of each type so that you get a better understanding of which side you should go. Here we go.

1. Maple Wood Cost

   The per square foot average cost of a maple floor is $6.50 to $11. It is ideal for installing in a place where there is high traffic.

   Moreover, it is dent-resistant so don’t worry about scratches. You can get numerous color and design options on the Maple wood floor.

2. Pine Wood Cost

   If you want the cheapest wood floor, always choose a pinewood floor that is pretty affordable. The per square foot price is $4.50 to $10 while containing rustic knotty patterns.

   You can get different color options from light to depend depending on your choice and requirement.

3. Bamboo Wood Cost

   It is one of the most common hardwood types. The per square foot prices of these floors are $5 and $11. The reason why you should go for bamboo floors is their durability and hardness.

   They are the most durable floors and resist every kind of weather. Moreover, you can get them in different color options.

4. White Ash Wood Cost

   The per square foot price of white ash is  $9 to $13 available in different color options including pale grey, light tan, etc.

   The best thing about this flooring is they are not easily stained. You can safely use them anywhere you want.

5. Hickory Wood Cost

   The hickory’s square foot price is $6 to $13 and is durable and hard. Durability is the main factor in flooring that you should never take for granted. It is ideal to install them in high foot traffic areas.

6. Red Oak Wood Cost

   The oak hardwood flooring costs almost $8 and $13. It is another durable wood flooring that you can consider placing in living rooms or bedrooms.

   Wherever you install this red oak wood, it will give welcoming vibes.

7. White Oak Wood Cost

   The next one is the white oak which is said to be $8 to $15 square foot. It brings modernism and has a dark color than red oak.

Pros of Getting New Hardwood Flooring

Now you are aware of the overall hardwood floor prices, let’s put a lot on a few pros that depict why you should choose hardwood flooring.

It Increases Home Value

Hardwood floors are a long-term investment because they increase the home value if you have installed them professionally. It also enhances the resale value because the trend of wood floors is never outdated.

It is Easy to Maintain

They don’t require a lot of effort to keep the floors clean and tidy. With weekly mopping and sweeping with the help of a mop for hardwood flooring, you can keep them in their original form.

You can use good quality vacuum cleaners for hardwood floorings to clean your floors.

It is Easy to Repair

Hardwood floors are durable and don’t damage easily. However, if any scratch or dent occurs you can easily repair them without any replacement.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does It Cost to Install 1000 Square Feet?

It depends on the material, grain, and type of wood because each type varies in price. However, the estimated cost would be $5,000 – $8,000. If you go for cheap wood, it might cost less.

How Much Does It Cost to Install 500 Square Feet of Hardwood Floors?

The entire installation solely depends on different factors as mentioned in the article.

Which One Is Better Hardwood or Vinyl Flooring?

Each flooring has different pros and cons. Hardwood floors are more durable and trendy but a bit expensive.

On the other hand, vinyl flooring is cheap but less durable than hardwood. Hence, if budget is not an issue, go for hardwood floors.

How Much Does It Cost to Install Hardwood Floors for $1200 Sq Ft?

The per square foot price would be $4 to $8 but the price may vary depending on wood type, grain, labor cost, etc. You can’t estimate the price unless and unless you have purchased all the items for installation.

Is Vinyl Cheaper than Hardwood?

Yes, they are cheaper than hardwood floors. Hardwood flooring prices are quite high. If you want a floor that is light on the budget, vinyl flooring is the best option.

How Long Does It Take to Put in Hardwood Floors?

A few hardwood floors take more time to install while a few are easy to be installed. Hence, it depends on which type you have selected. It takes almost 1 or 3 days to complete the work.

Conclusion

If you are looking for the best hardwood floor for your home or office, this guide will help you to get an idea regarding hardwood flooring prices.

I have mentioned all the prices of different wood types to make things clear for you. If you want a professional to install them, you have to pay the additional labor cost as well.

Hence, keep the thing in mind that they are costly but you can minimize the cost with the right decision. I hope this guide will accommodate you in the future.