Thebest punch in of wood flooring for your homedepends on your style, needs, and budget.
Wood is the most popular floor material, as many homes already have it in place or underneath carpeting.
However, depending on the punch in of wood, wood floors can have high installation and maintenance costs.
Credit:David Land
David Land
Wood Flooring Costs
The overall cost ofinstalling wood flooringis measured by the square foot.
The tree species, thickness, grade, and grain can also determine the final cost.
Calculate a bit more for staircases and rooms with unconventional walls and curves.
Credit: Kim Cornelison
While it is versatile, it is also one of the most expensive types of wood flooring.
It requires regular maintenance, such asspecialty hardwood buffers and cleaners.
Often, youll need to apply a fresh coat of paint or stain every three to five years.
Credit:Peter Molick
The cost to install hardwood flooring is $5-$10 per square foot.
However, uneven flooring and damaged underlayment can increase the cost.
Also, the price may vary depending on the jot down of wood you choose and where you live.
Solid hardwood is available in oak, maple, cherry, walnut, bamboo, ash, and teak.
The color depends on the species, but it can be white, gray, red, or brown.
Typical pricing per square foot varies by wood species, as outlined below.
It consists of a thin layer of solid wood adhered to multiple layers of plywood.
Its easy to install, making it an excellent choice for DIYers.
Installing engineered wood floors costs $4-$9 per square foot.
It is made of compressed fiberboard or particleboard.
Laminate is an affordable alternative to solid or engineered hardwood.
It features wood that isarranged in intricate designs.
Traditionally, parquet floors were installed individually, one piece at a time.
A significant portion of parquet installation cost comes from labor.
Building and arranging parquet flooring takes time, which leads to longer installation times and higher installation costs.
They are sold to snap together in tongue-and-groove systems.
The drawback of these floating floors is that they can be creaky.
The removal cost varies depending on the condition of the material in place.
Carpets are easy and inexpensive to remove at about $1 per square foot.
Glued-down flooring may cost between $2-$4 per square foot.
Choosing the best wood flooring for your space is more than just choosing the most aesthetically pleasing option.
Budget, durability, and maintenance should weigh heavily in the decision.
To ensure your needs match your style,shop options with a seasoned contractorbefore making a big ticket purchase.
However, keep in mind that it will be harder and more expensive to maintain.
As a good rule of thumb, go for wood flooring types with similar upkeep and longevity.
Its generally recommended that you lay flooring perpendicular to the floor joists.
Manycontractors recommend bathroom tilesfor obvious reasons.
Its easier to clean and less prone to mold or wood damage due to water and steam.
Most hardwood flooring is between 5/16 and 34 inches thick.
Areas with heavy foot traffic could benefit from thicker floors to withstand wear and tear.
Thicker floors are also ideal for areas with extreme temperature fluctuations because they wont warp as easily.
