Hardwood flooring not only offers high curb appeal but also ensures durability and longevity for an extended period. However, this question often lingers in the minds of every homeowner: how much does it cost to install hardwood flooring in a 1,000-square-foot area? To get the answer to this ultimate mystery, you need to keep reading this blog till the end.Â
Choosing the Right Hardwood Flooring for Your Home
First things first, to determine the cost of hardwood flooring per square foot, it’s essential to choose the right type of hardwood flooring. The most popular choices, for that matter, are solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. Making the right choice is crucial, as your decision will significantly impact the durability of your home flooring (and, of course, your wallet).
Solid Hardwood Vs Engineered Wood
Let’s decipher the difference between the two types of wood flooring and which one often has a safer influence on your budget. Solid hardwood flooring, as the name indicates, consists of solid pieces of natural wood of tree species like oak, maple, and cherry. As it’s 100% natural wood, it offers longevity and is more expensive.
On the other hand, engineered hardwood features a top layer of natural veneer wood, supported by a plywood layer underneath. This offers moisture resistance and extensive durability and is generally more economical. That’s why most homeowners prefer engineered wood, as it provides significant stability at a lower budget.
Keep reading to learn more about the cost-determining factors of hardwood flooring.
Cost-Determining Elements: Factors to Ponder Over!
Several factors significantly contribute to determining the overall cost of hardwood flooring.
Out of which, the primary factors are discussed below.
Installation Costs
If you’re a DIY enthusiast, you can significantly reduce the overall costs of the hardwood flooring installation. Still, if you want a convenient and stress-free installation, professional services would be a good choice for you.
The average labor costs for hardwood flooring installation range from $3 to $8 per square foot, so the price for 1,000 square feet of hardwood flooring ranges from $3,000 to $8,000.
| Installation Cost Per Square Foot | Installation Cost Per 1000 Square Feet |
| $3 to $8 | $3000 to $8000 |
Subfloor Preparation
Subfloor preparation is essential for a smooth hardwood flooring installation. If the flooring is rough, the installation of hardwood won’t be stable enough. Therefore, having a flat and even subfloor is a prerequisite for achieving a smooth hardwood flooring installation.
The average cost for subfloor preparation is $1 to $3, and for 1,000 square feet, it ranges from $1,000 to $3,000.
| Subfloor Preparation Cost Per Square Foot | Subfloor Preparation Cost Per 1000 Square Feet |
| $1 to $3 | $1000 to $3000 |
Underlayment Installation
Underlayment provides a cushioning barrier for the hardwood flooring, protecting it from moisture and other elements while maintaining the flooring’s structural integrity. The underlayment installation cost depends on the type of material used; the general price ranges between $0.30 and $1.00.
| Underlayment Installation Cost Per Square Foot | Underlayment Installation Cost Per 1000 Square Feet |
| $0.30 to $1.00 | $300 to $1000 |
Finishing Touches
The cost of final touches must also be included while budgeting for your hardwood flooring installation. Baseboards, transitions, and moldings are generally added to hardwood flooring as final finishes. Their cost ranges between $1 and $ 5 per linear foot.
| Finishing Touches Cost Per Square Foot | Finishing Touches Cost Per 1000 Square Feet |
| $1 to $5 | $400 to $2,000 |
The factors mentioned above are those that heavily contribute to the cost of hardwood flooring.
An Average Estimate for Hardwood Flooring
The average estimate for the hardwood flooring can be attained by adding all the costs of hardwood installation, underlayment installation, subfloor preparation, and final touch-ups.
By calculating all the above elements, it can be deduced that the average costs for engineered wood flooring lie between $6,000 and $24,000, while the average costs for solid wood flooring lie between $8,000 and $31,000.
Conclusion
By now, you would have probably thought about how you’re going to manage the budget for your hardwood flooring and what exactly the costs would be for 1000 square feet. You can save some money on your hardwood flooring budget by trying DIY and some other wise choices.Â
FAQs
What is the cost of labor for hardwood flooring?
The cost of labor for hardwood flooring ranges between $3 and $ 6 per square foot.
Can I install hardwood flooring myself?
Yes, hardwood flooring can be installed as a DIY project, but for added convenience, consider seeking professional hardwood installation services.
What is a good finish for hardwood floors?
A good finish for hardwood floors includes water-based or oil-based polyurethanes. Water-based polyurethanes are relatively easy to apply, have a lower odor, and contain fewer volatile organic compounds.