If your home has a radiant heating system , engineered hardwood may be a better pick because it can stand up to the heat better than most solid hardwood options. Beyond the amount and type of flooring materials needed for your hardwood floor project, a few other factors play a role in how much installation costs.
The same is true if you opt for complicated designs, such as a parquet floor or herringbone pattern. And if removing your old floor reveals damage such as rot or mold, additional labor and material costs may be incurred.
Paying a contractor to install your hardwood flooring makes up around half of the overall project cost, according to experts. Most contractors provide free estimates with a complete rundown of hardwood floor installation costs. As you can see, hardwood flooring can be pricey, so reducing installation costs is the goal of many homeowners. Here are some tips for shaving a few bucks off the total cost of installing hardwood floors:. Choose a cheaper species of wood. Try a mid-range wood such as maple, bamboo or oak instead of pricier mahogany or teak.
Contractors charge a lot for extras like moving furniture or appliances and pulling up old carpet. 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. Oak hardwood contains rich detailing and deep patterns and earth tones.
Red Oak has a narrow but visible grain in reddish earth tones. This wood comes in many different exotic brownish shades with a distinctive grain. Whether you prefer bamboo or red oak, traditional hardwood costs less than engineered wood types. Remember, engineered wood flooring offers increased durability and higher moisture resistance. This means that if you have young children or pets, you should consider engineered wood. It is not unusual to see wood flooring throughout the entire home because of its longevity over carpet and tile.
If treated well, the life of a wood floor can stretch to over forty years , and even then, it can be sanded, stained, and varnished—significantly cheaper than having it replaced. To extend your floors durability and longevity, add a coating of a protective seal called a finish.
These finishes are usually made of either polyurethanes or prefinished UV-cured urethane, oils, or oil hybrids. If you maintain a hardwood floor properly, it might never need refinishing. A solid wood floor can last from 20 to years without a refinish, depending on its thickness and quality. Once your wood flooring is installed, the contractor installs trim molding on the base of the wall around the edges to hide any gaps. Even in the uncommon situation where there are no gaps, over time, with contraction and expansion of the wood and slight shifts in the foundation, they will become visible without trim being installed.
Before installing new hardwood floors, you may have to remove your current floors if they do not create a proper surface. The best thing you can do to save money is to shop around. To ensure that you remain within your budget, contact contractors to obtain an installation quote. Also, ensure that the workspace is ready-to-go when contractors arrive. This means moving furniture and even removing old flooring. You can then purchase wood flooring yourself, pick it up, and bring it home.
That way, the flooring company will only need to install the flooring — not supply it or remove your old floor. Last but not least, if you have a tight budget, consider the layout of your design and keep it as simple as possible. As soon as you request bordering or inlaid patterns, you can anticipate significantly higher costs. When creating your shortlist of contractors, there are a few criteria you can consider that may help set your mind at ease.
Look for contractors with some or many of the following boxes checked:. Whether you have recently bought a new home or plan to renovate your current residence, new flooring can make all the difference.
Although it is more expensive than other options on the market, it tends to be the preferred choice. Hardwood flooring is known for its warm, character-rich appearance, versatility, and durability. Also, hardwood floors add value to a home. Get free estimates. How much will your hardwood floors cost? Hardwood Carpet Vs. Hardwood Tile Vs. Wood Flooring Grades Wood flooring typically comes in 3 different grades. Middle tier — These woods will be hardwood options, which are relatively common, including oak, teak, or American cherry.
Hardwood Flooring Grades Similar to traditional wood, engineered hardwood is offered at varying grades and price points: Lowest tier — This will be your most basic engineered hardwood, consisting of three layers, finished with a top layer of veneer.
Middle tier — You can also invest in an upgraded version, which typically includes a five-layer core, finished with a thicker veneer. The price of hardwoods can also vary greatly by region as different varieties of tree are more common than others in different areas. The cost of transportation can significantly impact the price of certain types of hardwoods. The width of the floorboards selected can also impact the cost.
Wider boards tend to cost more for materials since they are much more rare, while thinner boards will take longer to install so might cost more for labor. Reclaimed materials add character and beauty to a space, but they come at a significant cost. If you really want to get a good estimate of the cost of a hardwood floor, you should estimate the amount of hardwood you need for the size of your room.
Or, you can simply calculate the square footage of your room. Just measure the length and width of your room to find out how much hardwood you need.
0コメント