How much installation wood floor

It often comes in three- or four-price points, from the most basic, contractor-grade offering to premium padding that feels similar to an upscale foam mattress. Tile installations require the underlayment to prevent cracking from uneven surfaces, and hardwood installations rely on underlayment for a smooth installation surface, and to cut down on noise. Still, others might expect you to do it yourself or hire a different company to handle it. Be sure to check with your flooring contractor to determine what costs you may be facing for the disposal and removal of your existing flooring.

This is particularly the case with hardwood flooring, where you may need extra wood to install on stairs, as well as quarter rounds, nose molding, trim and other pieces.

While it may be cheaper to order materials yourself, a lack of knowledge when it comes to ordering the right parts and estimating extras could derail your project. Assuming the materials and labor costs listed above, the average cost to install flooring in a square-foot living space is:. Solid hardwood flooring is all wood. This means it can be sanded and refinished many times. Most engineered wood only measures a few millimeters of real wood that can be refinished, and under that is plywood.

That means you may only be able to refinish it once, maybe twice, over its lifetime. The answer depends on your prowess when it comes to DIY tasks. In , homeowners seem to be seeking a more uniform, neutral look that brings nature directly into their living spaces. That means lighter colors, less variations like knots and striations, and longer-length boards that contribute to a sense of openness and thus a larger space.

When she's not working, Christin enjoys reading, gardening and hanging out with her husband and four young kids. She also loves to do small home improvement projects any chance she gets. Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.

Select Region. United States. United Kingdom. Do these things yourself to reduce your overall installation costs. If you have the time and possess basic carpentry skills — including the ability to use tools like sanders and power saws to make precision measurements and cuts — you may be able to install hardwood flooring yourself.

Not installing a new floor can be a great way to save money, provided your existing hardwood floors are salvageable. If your floors are just a bit unsightly, it may be possible to refinish them instead of replacing them. The refinishing process removes gouges and scratches that accumulate after years of wear and tear. Once refinished, hardwood floors tend to have a shiny, smooth surface. In the case of some engineered products, refinishing is not an option at all.

Whether or not hardwood floor installation costs are worth it is truly subjective. If you enjoy the look and beauty of hardwood flooring or if you have damaged flooring in need of replacement, installing hardwood floors can be a great option. Whether you decide to go for hardwood flooring in your home really boils down to the look you want and the budget you have available for the install.

Even engineered hardwood flooring is expected to last 50 years or longer. See what plans are available in your neighborhood. HomeServe uses cookies to recognize repeat visits and to enhance your experience on our site. By continuing to use this website you agree with our use of cookies.

Privacy Policy. Please check back soon. HomeServe Logo Icon. The email field is required. Sign up! It has notable color variation and is hard and durable. Hickory is a great option for high-traffic areas. It has a reddish, tightly visible grain and is exceptionally durable.

Red oak flooring is known for creating a warm and welcome ambiance in any room. White oak has a minimal smooth grain and lends itself to more modern home decor. Cypress is a relatively soft wood that will take on a distressed and aged look when used in high-traffic areas.

It has an arching, swirling grain and is honey-gold in color. The elegant beauty of hardwood floors can give way to noticeable wear and tear over the years. One of the benefits of having hardwood floors is that they can be sanded and refinished multiple times, but how many times are too many? Too much sanding will result in thin and weak floorboards that will potentially crack.

Moving furniture, daily wear and tear, and pets can cause scratches in wood flooring. If the wood flooring has chips and scrapes that penetrate deep into the wood, the flooring becomes susceptible to water damage due to the missing coating or varnish. Worn stain can lead to more serious issues such as splintered or warped wood, both of which call for a replacement. Water damage is a common concern for homeowners with hardwood flooring. Engineered wood flooring is more resistant to water damage than solid hardwood.

Both types of flooring can stain and warp if exposed to significant amounts of water due to plumbing issues or flooding. Water damage can cause floorboards to warp, rot, and separate.

Significant water damage is one of the main signs that wood flooring needs to be replaced. Exposed nails that poke through the top of the flooring can cause pain and injury if you or a family member step on them. Nails usually pop up in high-traffic areas where the chances of stepping on one or stubbing a toe are high. If there are many exposed nails over a wide area of flooring, it may be time to look into hardwood flooring replacement. The color of wood flooring may change over time due to sun exposure or water damage.

Superficial discoloration can be fixed with refinishing, but gray or very dark stains may be a sign water has damaged the structure of the wood and the flooring needs to be replaced. Creaking floorboards usually mean the wood is rubbing against the subfloor or itself.

Creaking can be a sign the structural integrity of the wood flooring is compromised and weak. Wooden floorboards that bend or creak can signal water damage or a shifting foundation.

Hardwood floors that dip or swell are symptoms of larger structural problems. Aside from floor damage, there are other reasons to replace hardwood flooring. Wood flooring adds to the overall value of the home and helps increase its marketability. Brand new hardwood flooring can transform a home by providing a fresh new look. Professionally installed hardwood flooring can last for generations. Hardwood floors are relatively low maintenance. They require weekly sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, and occasional deep cleaning.

Hardwood floors are durable and easy to maintain. Fortunately, many scratches and scrapes can be easily fixed with no need for replacement boards. Hardwood floor installation is usually best left to the professionals. Improper installation not only looks unsightly, but the flooring can warp, split, and shrink.

Finding professional hardwood flooring installers who know how to install hardwood floors correctly is worth it. Installing a hardwood floor goes beyond measuring and gluing or nailing down floorboards. A professional will know the correct installation technique, how to allow for adjustments for humidity and temperature, and whether to use a vapor barrier. They also have the skills to install custom patterns and exotic hardwoods as well as manipulate around features, such as fireplaces, closets, and counters.

Consider these questions to learn what type of hardwood flooring you need and how to estimate hardwood flooring cost. Installing hardwood flooring can be expensive and the additional costs associated with installation can quickly add up.

One way to save money is to install the cheapest flooring option, but there are other ways to save money without compromising on the quality and style of wood flooring you really want.