If you want the aesthetics of hardwood flooring but don’t want to pay up to $23 per square foot for installation, engineered hardwood flooring may be what you need. Not only does engineered hardwood flooring cost significantly less than traditional hardwood flooring, but it’s also relatively easy to install and better for the environment.
Our goal is to give you the most accurate cost information possible. That’s why we collect real quotes and analyze data from our building materials database, RS Means. Using this real data, we can help you estimate the actual cost of your flooring project.
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- Depending on the flooring quality, engineered flooring can cost anywhere from $3 to $16.
- On average, engineered hardwood flooring costs between $6 and $12.
- You can save money on engineered flooring if you buy the materials and remove your old flooring yourself.
How Much Does Engineered Hardwood Flooring Cost?
On average, installing engineered hardwood flooring costs between $6 to $12 per square foot, including materials and the cost of labor. If you must remove old flooring before installation can begin, you may have to pay more for the extra labor and disposal fees.
Low | National Average | High |
$3 | $6 – $12 | $16 |
Cost data include the material costs and labor, if applicable. All cost data in this article were gathered from RS Means construction materials and labor database and bids from top contractors.
How Do Engineered Hardwood Costs Differ by Flooring Grade?
The quality of flooring products impacts the overall cost of hardwood floors. Durable, high-end flooring will be more expensive than the lowest-grade material.
Floor Grade | Cost Per Square Foot |
Lowest-grade | $3 – $9 |
Mid-grade | $6 – $12 |
High-grade | $9 – $16 |
Cost data include the material costs and labor, if applicable.
Lowest Tier
Low-grade engineered hardwood commonly has three layers and is topped by 1/16 to ½ inch thick veneer. The most basic engineered hardwood floor costs between $3 and $9 per square foot, making it a good choice if you want the look of hardwood but have a limited budget.
Though this flooring is the cheapest, lower-quality hardwood flooring scratches easily, especially if you have children or pets. That said, it makes a good basement floor because, like all engineered hardwood floors, it’s water-resistant.
Middle Tier
If you have children and pets or are installing hardwood flooring in high-traffic areas, middle-grade material is worth it at $6 to $12 per square foot. This flooring usually has five layers, with a top layer of 1/12 to â…› inch thick veneer.
Highest Tier
If you pay between $9 and $16 per square foot, you can get high-end engineered hardwood flooring with up to seven core layers and ⅙ inch-thick veneer on top. High-grade engineered hardwood has the longest lifespan and is the most durable, so it’s the best option for larger families since these floors are designed to withstand heavier traffic.
How Does Wood Type Affect Engineered Hardwood Pricing?
Along with the quality of your hardwood, the type of hardwood also affects wood flooring costs. Exotic woods, like Brazilian cherry, are more expensive than domestic woods like white ash.
Type of Wood | Average Cost per Square Foot |
Acacia | $3 – $8 |
Brazilian cherry | $5 – $9 |
Brazilian koa | $4 – $9 |
Hard maple | $3 – $6 |
Heart pine | $2 – $4 |
White ash | $4 – $6 |
Cost data include the material costs.
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Natural and engineered hardwood options
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Provides free samples online and in-store
Acacia
On average, engineered acacia wood planks cost between $3 to $8 per square foot. This wood species has become a popular choice for home flooring because of its unique grain patterns. With colors ranging from light to dark browns, this wood flooring will stand out in any home.
Related: Acacia vs Walnut – Which One is Better for Furniture and Flooring?
Brazilian Cherry
Brazilian cherry plank flooring is offered by Eternity Flooring and is a good choice if you want more durable hardwood flooring. At $5 to $9 per square foot, this wood flooring is deep reddish brown that can complement light-colored walls and tall ceilings.
Brazilian Koa
Brazilian koa — known as tigerwood — is a unique hardwood flooring with a distinctive striped pattern. This flooring has orange hues and can have a lot of variability in the planks, making it stand out in any space. You should expect to pay between $4 to $9 per square foot if you install Brazilian koa.
Hard Maple
Hard maple is a versatile wood floor that comes in both light and dark planks. This engineered hardwood costs between $3 and $6 per square foot on average and delivers good durability for the price.
Heart Pine
Heart pine flooring costs between $2 and $4 per square foot, making it one of the most affordable. This type of pine appears darker once stained and is durable enough to be installed in high-traffic areas.
White Ash
At $4 to $6 per square foot, white ash is another affordable option if you’re on a budget. Unlike our other flooring options, white ash appears lighter in color and can even appear gray. White ash is the way to go if you have a lot of sunlight in your home or want to make a smaller space appear larger.
Related: The Homeowner’s Guide to Handscraped Hardwood Flooring
Which Factors Impact Engineered Hardwood Cost Estimates?
The type of wood and grade of material you choose will influence the cost of your engineered hardwood floor project the most — but other cost factors, such as installation technique, subfloor leveling, and labor, can also contribute to the total cost.
Installation Method
There are four main installation techniques for hardwood floors: nailing, stapling, gluing, or floating. Floating floors are the least expensive because they can be installed quickly and without much effort. However, if you use one of the more traditional installation techniques, you will have to spend more on labor costs to get the job done.
In addition to how you install your engineered floors, you can choose a pattern that takes longer to install. The herringbone pattern is a common trend in new homes, but it’s complicated to install and requires additional preparation and cutting. If you choose the herringbone pattern, you may pay more in labor costs.
Subfloor Leveling and Prep Work
If you remove your existing flooring and find that your current floor is not level, you may have to pay extra for some prep work to make your floor a suitable place to lay your new floors. If you need to level your subfloor, it can cost between $1,000 to $1,500 to have that concrete poured and further prepare your floor for the installation.
Labor Costs
Labor can account for half of your engineered hardwood floor installation cost. In addition to the $2 to $9 per square foot of flooring materials, you’ll pay between $3 and $8 per square foot in labor to install engineered hardwood planks.
Related: 6 Benefits of Oil-Finished Engineered Wood Floors
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3 Tips for Saving Money on Engineered Hardwood Costs
It can be expensive to install engineered hardwood flooring. Even though this flooring type costs less than traditional hardwood, the sticker shock is real. Consider our tips below if you want to save money on your engineered hardwood flooring installation.
1. Remove Old Flooring Yourself
One cost many homeowners forget about when budgeting for their flooring project is removing the old floor. Removing the old floor can cost anywhere from $0.09 to $1.55 per square foot, depending on your floor type.
Removing carpet or vinyl flooring is usually the cheapest, but if you already have hardwood or tile installed, the cost of removing the old flooring can be quite high. Instead of paying the installation company to remove your flooring, you may consider removing your old flooring yourself to save $500 to $1000 or more.
Type of Floor | Demolition Cost Per Square Foot |
Carpet | $0.09 – $0.39 |
Tile | $0.78 – $1.24 |
Vinyl | $0.16 – $0.39 |
Wood | $0.66 – $1.55 |
Cost data include the material costs and labor, if applicable.
2. Buy Your Own Materials
Although it’s not always cheaper, you can buy your own materials and have them delivered to your home before hiring a contractor to install them. This way, you only need to hire a contractor to install the floor instead of sourcing and buying the materials. Sometimes contractors have access to cheaper materials because they buy in bulk — so you should talk to your contractor before doing this just to make sure.
3. Install Engineered Hardwood Yourself
If you have done other home improvement projects and are confident installing your own floor, you may consider installing engineered hardwood flooring yourself. With tongue and groove technology, engineered hardwood floors can be installed similarly to laminate by clicking them into place. You may need to use wood glue to hold the boards together, but some brands do not require this extra step.
Professional vs. DIY Engineered Hardwood Flooring Installation
Although we recommend you use a flooring professional to install your engineered hardwood floor, this is a project that an experienced DIYer can do. However, you should work with a professional if you don’t want to risk warping your floors.
Installing Engineered Hardwood Yourself
There are four main methods used to install engineered flooring: floating, glue-down, nail, and staple. With the new floating method, installing this type of flooring yourself is much easier. To use this method, follow these steps:
- Lay underlayment on top of the subfloor.
- Lay the first row with the tongue facing the center of your room.
- Use wood glue to connect the first row to the wall.
- Working from left to right, apply wood glue to each board’s tongue and groove seams.
- Carefully connect planks together.
- Wipe off excess glue that comes through the boards.
- Leave an expansion gap between the final row and the wall.
Learn how to install engineered hardwood flooring by watching this video:
Hiring a Professional for Engineered Hardwood Installation
If you want to ensure your engineered hardwood flooring is installed correctly, it’s best to use a professional installer to do the job. Not only do companies offer installation services, but many flooring experts have an in-home shopping experience that can help you choose the right style of flooring for your home.
To get connected to a flooring installer near you, follow these easy steps:
- Find local experts near you: Use the tool below to get in touch with a professional flooring company in your area.
- Use in-home design tools to choose your flooring: Some companies, like LL Flooring, have floor visualization tools that can help you choose the best flooring for your home. You can also have flooring experts come to your home with real flooring samples to find the perfect material.
- Get a quote from a few options: We recommend you get at least two quotes before you make your decision. Flooring contractors may have different labor fees, and they may offer similar flooring options at different prices.
- Choose the quote that best fits your needs: Once you’ve gathered at least two quotes, choose the estimate that best fits your needs and budget.
- Get your flooring installed: Work with your chosen contractor to set up a time to get your flooring installed. It can take up to a week to install this type of flooring, so choose a time when you’ll be around.
Ready to install engineered hardwood flooring in your home? Use the tool below to get started:
So, Is Engineered Hardwood Flooring Worth the Cost?
If you want the look and feel of hardwood for a fraction of the cost, engineered flooring is worth it. The average homeowner spends between $6 and $12 per square foot to install engineered hardwood flooring, which is cheaper than solid hardwood flooring, although higher-quality products like Anderson engineered hardwood might be slightly more expensive. This price range includes the cost of the wood planks and labor.
However, engineered hardwood is not as durable as traditional hardwood because it’s not solid wood — and because only the top layer is hardwood, it can only be resurfaced a handful of times before the bottom layers become visible. You also have to take care of engineered wood floors the same way you would traditional hardwood, otherwise, it can appear worn down in high-traffic areas.
It is advisable to research different wood flooring options to determine your best choice. This will enable you to make informed decisions
FAQs About Engineered Hardwood Flooring Costs
Now that you know how much it costs to install engineered flooring, check out our most frequently asked questions about engineered hardwood flooring costs.
How much does it cost to install 1000 square feet of engineered hardwood floors?
On average, it costs between $3 and $16 per square foot to install engineered flooring, for a total of $3,000 to $16,000. This cost includes both labor and materials. If you install the flooring yourself, the cost ranges from $2 to $9 per square foot, for $2,000 to $9,000.
Is engineered hardwood cheaper than hardwood?
Engineered hardwood flooring is cheaper than hardwood flooring. On average, engineered hardwood costs between $3 and $16 per square foot, but solid wood flooring can cost as much as $23 per square foot.
What are the disadvantages of engineered wood flooring?
Engineered hardwood may look like traditional hardwood, but it’s not as durable and cannot be resurfaced. Because engineered hardwood has different layers underneath the hardwood surface, it can only withstand one round of refinishing before the core layers are visible (check out the cost of refinishing hardwood flooring).
Wood flooring is also high maintenance, and you need to take care of engineered hardwood the same as you would hardwood.
What is the difference between engineered hardwood and a traditional hardwood floor?
Both hardwood and engineered hardwood are made from real wood, are water-resistant, and come prefinished, but the difference between the two is what lies underneath the top layer. Hardwood is solid wood throughout the plank, but engineered hardwood is made from layers of solid hardwood and plywood.