FLOORING
On average, flooring installation costs $4,545 nationally, with most homeowners spending between $3,572 and $5,518. This data is based on actual project costs as reported by consumers.
Consider flooring a long-term investment, something that you'll touch more than any aspect of your house, and it might just last for the life of your home. Types of flooring, of course, run the gamut. The type of flooring you install should reflect your tastes and your lifestyle. Do you need something that's easy to clean? Or is it more important that it fit the character of your house? Do you have allergies? Even once you decide on a material, you won't be able to calculate costs until you settle on the quality of the materials and the level of expertise that's needed to install it. Vinyl and Linoleum FlooringIf you're on a tight budget, vinyl and linoleum can save you tons in both material and labor costs. Like laminate, they can imitate wood, stone or tile, and when purchased in squares, can be easy enough to install that you might not need a contractor.
Laminate FlooringLaminate flooring is almost always cheaper than the counterparts it imitates. Real wood, stone and tile are not only usually more expensive materials but are almost always considerably more expensive to install. So if you want the look and feel of wood, stone or tile (or at least an approximation), but cannot afford the price tag, laminate flooring might be the way to go. Laminate wood and stone floors are also more durable and made for high traffic areas.
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Wood Flooring
There are two primary types of wood flooring available. The first is the solid wood floor. These floors are generally 3/4" thick and can be purchased raw or pre-finished. The other style of wood flooring is the "engineered wood floor." This is a wood floor that has a top wear layer, usually 1/8" thick, and more layers of plywood underneath. The top layer is generally made out of oak, maple, cherry, etc. Engineered wood floors are gaining in popularity because they generally cost less than the solid wood floor, but can be refinished like a solid wood floor. However, since refinishing takes off a small amount of the surface each time, an engineered floor may not have as long a life as a hardwood floor.
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Tile Flooring
The options for tile are staggering: ceramic, stone, marble, porcelain, artist sculpted, mass produced. Be aware that when you price tile, a small per-unit cost can translate into a huge difference by the time you're done with the project. Installation is fairly involved and can be more expensive than the material costs.