Flooring Materials Compared by Cost Per Square Foot
Choosing the right flooring material depends on 3 factors: durability, cost, and maintenance. This guide compares 5 common flooring materials by price per square foot to help estimate total project costs.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring costs $6–$22 per square foot installed. Hardwood is durable, easy to clean, and available in many species including oak, maple, walnut, and cherry.
Pros: High durability, increases home resale value, can be refinished multiple times Cons: Requires maintenance (sanding, refinishing), sensitive to moisture, higher cost
Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood costs $4–$16 per square foot installed. Engineered wood is made from layers of plywood and high-density fiberboard with a thin hardwood outer layer.
Pros: Higher heat and moisture resistance than solid hardwood, lower cost, easy to maintain Cons: Cannot be refinished as many times as solid hardwood, thinner wear layer
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring costs $3–$11 per square foot installed. Laminate is made from fiberboard with a plastic laminate top layer that mimics the look of real wood.
Pros: Low cost, scratch/stain/dent resistant, installs over existing flooring Cons: Cannot be refinished or stained, lower home resale value, feels hard underfoot
Tile Flooring
Tile flooring costs $1–$35+ per square foot installed. Tile includes ceramic, porcelain, glass, natural stone, and concrete options.
Pros: Extremely durable, easy to maintain, suitable for all locations Cons: Cold without heating, slippery when wet, breaks under heavy impact, installation is labor-intensive
Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring costs $2–$12 per square foot installed. Modern luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and luxury vinyl tile (LVT) closely replicate wood and stone appearances.
Pros: Waterproof, comfortable underfoot, easy DIY installation Cons: Can be punctured by sharp objects, lower resale value than hardwood
Carpet
Carpet costs $2–$12 per square foot installed. Carpet is available in many textures, colors, and pile heights.
Pros: Soft and warm underfoot, excellent sound dampening, budget-friendly Cons: Stains easily, traps allergens, not suitable for wet areas, shorter lifespan
Calculating Total Flooring Cost
To estimate total flooring cost:
- Calculate the room area in square feet (length × width)
- Add 10% for waste
- Multiply by the price per square foot of your chosen material
Example: A 200 sq ft room with hardwood at $12/sq ft: 200 × 1.1 = 220 sq ft × $12 = $2,640 estimated cost