Overview
Hardwood and laminate are the two most popular flooring choices for homeowners seeking a wood-look floor. Hardwood is a natural product that adds lasting value to your home. Laminate is an engineered product that mimics hardwood at a fraction of the cost.
The Hardwood Floor Installation Cost Guide estimates material and labor costs for solid or engineered hardwood. The Laminate Flooring Cost Guide calculates costs for laminate installation including underlayment and trim.
Key Differences
**Material:** Hardwood is solid or engineered real wood. Laminate is a photographic image of wood on a fiberboard core.
**Cost:** Laminate runs $2-8 per square foot installed. Hardwood runs $6-18+ per square foot installed.
**Durability:** Hardwood can be refinished 3-5 times over its lifetime (decades). Laminate cannot be refinished and lasts 15-25 years.
**Moisture resistance:** Laminate handles moisture better than solid hardwood (engineered hardwood bridges this gap). Neither should be submerged.
**Home value:** Hardwood adds measurable resale value. Laminate is value-neutral or slightly negative in high-end markets.
When to Use the Hardwood Floor Cost Guide
- You want to invest in flooring that increases your home's resale value - You prefer the authentic look and feel of real wood underfoot - You want flooring you can refinish multiple times over the decades - You are renovating a living room, dining room, or bedroom in a higher-end home - You want to choose between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood
When to Use the Laminate Flooring Cost Guide
- You want a wood-look floor at a significantly lower price point - You are flooring a rental property, basement, or high-traffic area - You want a DIY-friendly option (laminate click-lock systems are easier to install) - You need better moisture resistance than solid hardwood provides - You want to estimate costs for a budget-friendly renovation
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you tell the difference between hardwood and good laminate? A: Modern high-end laminate is very convincing visually, but the difference is noticeable underfoot (laminate feels harder and more hollow) and at close inspection.
Q: Which lasts longer? A: Hardwood lasts indefinitely if maintained and refinished. Laminate lasts 15-25 years but cannot be repaired or refinished once worn.
Q: Is laminate good for kitchens? A: Laminate handles occasional moisture better than solid hardwood, but it is not waterproof. For kitchens, consider luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or engineered hardwood with a waterproof core.
Q: How much does hardwood add to home value? A: Studies suggest hardwood floors can increase home value by 2.5-5%, and homes with hardwood often sell faster.
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