Price to install laminate flooring

Nebraska, for instance, is night and day. However, this price is also heavily determined by how you choose to install your flooring.

What is a floating floor , exactly? Generally, this means click-together flooring —in other words, planks that snap together with tightly locking grooves. In fact, these surfaces are some of the easiest flooring to install in general. You glue it directly to the subfloor, just like you do with glue-down vinyl plank flooring or glue-down hardwood flooring. This eliminates some of the traditional disadvantages of floating floors , like hollow-sounding footsteps. That said, it can take longer to install and requires more expertise—meaning the cost to install this laminate flooring is going to be a bit higher.

With that in mind, the cost will fluctuate a good amount contractor-by-contractor. And experts cost money! Fun fact: some laminate can be purchased in these formats already! Check with a local flooring store to see what you can find. You can usually expect one room to take under a day. A complex space may add time to the process. If your room has a lot of odd angles, the installer will need to take more time to measure and cut planks to size. The brand you choose, any special features you opt for, even the thickness of the planks can add cost.

Want a laminate that resembles wide plank wood flooring? You might have to pay extra, depending on the brand. Remember: laminate flooring is not made of real wood.

But just as with hardwood, the finish can play a role in cost. The same goes for Douglas fir flooring , ebony flooring , even ash flooring. So what are the standard options? Things like oak and hickory—you know, the basics. Hickory shades are darker and bolder, whereas oak comes in light wood flooring tones. Embossed finishes, hand-scraped finishes, it can all change the cost of your floors. It totally depends on the product! However, thicker laminate planks can do a better job of absorbing sound and hiding subfloor imperfections.

And while it varies product-to-product, thicker planks are generally more expensive. Subflooring is an important factor to take into consideration when pricing your flooring. What is subflooring , you ask? If your subfloor is in poor shape, it will need to be repaired. Cement subflooring might need to be leveled or patched; wood subflooring might need a good sanding. Your laminate flooring is only as good as the subfloor beneath it. Of course, subfloor adjustments will raise the overall cost to install laminate flooring in your home.

Using an underlayment is always a good idea, especially when it comes to floating floors. At the very least, you will want to install a vapor barrier to stop moisture from destroying your floor from beneath.

This should be factored into your laminate flooring costs. Again, the cost for this can fluctuate. Fun fact: if you want to get really crazy, you can even buy an underlayment that can be used with magnetic flooring!

Moisture and humidity can take a toll on laminate planks, causing issues like swelling and warping. In fact, many of them are actually priced at a similar level to other laminate floors!

Plus, these surfaces often need to be installed as snap-together floors in order to make use of their waterproof properties. Yes, waterproof laminate actually works. But as always, it depends on what you want to use it for. Asbestos handling is extra. Costs to prepare the worksite for Laminate Flooring Installation, including costs to protect existing structure s , finishes, materials and components. Labor setup time, mobilization time and minimum hourly charges that are commonly included for small Laminate Flooring Installation jobs.

The cost estimate does NOT include: Costs for removing, relocating, repairing, or modifying existing framing, surfacing, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems - or bringing those systems into compliance with current building codes. Costs for testing and remediation of hazardous materials asbestos, lead, etc.

General contractor overhead and markup for organizing and supervising the Laminate Flooring Installation. Sales tax on materials and supplies. Permit or inspection fees or portion thereof required by your local building department for your overall project. Zip Code. Item details. Laminate Flooring Cost Non-discounted retail pricing for: Residential grade. If your flooring arrives in poor condition, send it back immediately, or you will not be refunded for it.

Originally created as a product to simulate the look and feel of wood, newer products on the market also create the look and texture of stone floors. Typically, each finish has a different installation cost.

No indented texture is applied. Instead, it matches the look and feel of a varnished piece of wood. With low gloss being the most popular, the three main finishes are called:. Underlayment is either built-in or separate to the flooring planks you buy.

Use a foam underlayment instead, or whatever is recommended by the manufacturer of the flooring you buy. Keep in mind that underlayment is also the word for thin plywood or fiberboard, which could already be on the planks, but the separate kind usually comes in rolls of polyethylene foam, heavy foam, or felt. What really counts is what the core is made up of and what the durable top layer consists of.

Look for the term HDF—high-density fiber—to ensure a floor of quality. Most planks come in 7—9 mm of thickness. Use it to check your expected usage, or foot traffic, against what the floor was built to withstand. An impartial third party has set the standard for the five different categories of use and durability. Following the tongue-and-groove method, keep planks parallel to the main view of the room. Then reinstall baseboards, quarter rounds, and T-molding, and the flush stairnose and step nose on stairs.

It depends on the type of flooring you use. A professional can usually lay square feet of laminate flooring in five hours. Take steps to avoid scuffing by placing mats by entry doors and installing furniture protectors. Damp mop, if necessary, with as little water as possible. They leave laminate flooring looking soapy and dull. A mild vinegar solution can work well. They also have many styles and thicknesses.

Mohawk is available from a wide range of vendors. Pergo is the manufacturer of a wide range of laminate flooring products. Pergo is one of the best-known names and pioneered many flooring techniques. Their laminates are sold by a wide range of dealers. Some install, while others only sell. The Pergo type you install directly impacts your project costs. Hire a local pro to install your laminate flooring Find Pros. Laminate flooring comes with a range of desirable features.

Some are scratch-resistant, making them longer-lasting and less likely to degrade. Other forms are water-resistant, noise-resistant, approved for underfloor warming, or installable over a cork underlayment:. Nearly all types are approved for underfloor warming. It is extremely common to install this material over in-floor heating 4 systems. It does not shrink and handles heat well. The underlayment you use determines how well the flooring is insulated.

The thicker the underlayment, the better insulated the floor is. Many types are scratch-resistant. This usually means the surface has been given a long-wearing topcoat. This helps it resist most scuffs and scratches. However, it is still not recommended to drag heavy furniture across the floor.

This, and using the laminate in high-traffic areas where sand and grit may be tracked, can result in some scratches. There are many types of underlayment you can use. Cork is a favorite because it is resilient and works with a wide range of thicknesses.

Cork is also naturally water-resistant. This helps keep moisture beneath your floor to a minimum without the extra thickness. Most types can be used with cork, except the very thinnest types. This is one of the many benefits of using this material over another material. It does not need a homeowner-applied topcoat or surface.

Matte or semi-matte surfaces cannot be polished. If you choose a polished surface, it is designed to hold that polish without requiring you to wax or polish it yourself. It is generally thicker than average. You can increase the noise resistance of this type of material with a thicker underlayment. Combining a thicker material with a thicker underlayment can give you the best results. No laminate is completely noiseless, but using a thicker material can reduce the noise.

It helps prevent swelling and warping that happens when it comes in contact with water or moisture. This type gives you time to mop up spills. It is not designed for use in very wet areas. While it is water-resistant, it is not waterproof. This means that prolonged exposure to moisture can cause damage. The vast majority of this type of floor needs a separate underlayment.

Some types come with an underlayment already attached. You have fewer choices with this type than if you use a separate underlayment. Installation is usually more difficult with this material. Adding the underlayment to it makes the floor thicker. This means it is harder to cut and float, so most installers prefer a separate underlayment.

Molding and trim can add the finishing touches to your laminate flooring. They are not necessary for most installations. However, there may be times when you need trim or a threshold to complete the project. In those cases, use the same material for trim or molding for a cohesive look:. Laminate flooring is designed to run up to, but not touch, the walls of the room. There is a gap around the perimeter of the room. If you have baseboards, they cover this space. If you do not have baseboards, a quarter-round molding fills the space where the floor meets the wall.

This is a thin molding that fills the gap and completes the appearance. Thresholds are the transition between two rooms or from one floor type to another. They help transition between two floors.

They can be made of any material, but it is common to have your threshold match at least one flooring material. They can be laminate and have the same color, finish, and texture as the floor. They come in many shapes and profiles. A T-molding is used in the doorway between two floors of similar thickness.

Most commonly, you use a laminate T-molding if two floors meet in a doorway. The molding is shaped like the letter T. The upper portion covers the ends of the two sides of the floor, which connect underneath either side of the vertical piece.

The threshold is raised slightly above the floor. This is a rounded piece you use to finish a landing, step-down, or stair tread. It is necessary to give you a finished appearance on a stair or step. Without it, you would see the unfinished edge at the start of a tread. This is the curved finish piece that starts the top stair or a landing. If you have laminate flooring on an upper level and extend it to the stairs, you need a step nose on the top step.

This is true whether you use this material down or transition to another material at the first riser. A step nose is wider and larger than a flush stair nose. It is meant to have a thicker profile and provide a prominently finished look. Get free estimates from laminate flooring installers near you Get Free Estimates. If your installer finds the subfloor needs repair or other work must be done when removing the old carpeting, your costs can be higher.

Laminate and vinyl flooring are both synthetic alternatives to natural wood flooring. Both material types are available in plank styles that can mimic the look of wood floors and tiles that can mimic the appearance of stone.

In addition, vinyl can also come in a range of other styles, including sheets and adhesive-back tiles. Laminate flooring is made up of multiple layers that have been laminated together.

They have a long-wearing top coat with a printed layer just below it. Vinyl flooring can also be made of layers, most with a solid vinyl core, but some have a stone and polymer core or wood and polymer core. Vinyl is a type of plastic, so vinyl flooring is impervious to things like moisture and staining.

In contrast, many of the materials that make up laminate are fiber-based. This means that while vinyl can be installed in damp areas, laminate should not be. If laminate is exposed to moisture, it can swell or warp. Of the two materials, laminate often has a more realistic-looking appearance than vinyl. However, vinyl comes in many different qualities and types. Luxury vinyl tends to have a better appearance than standard, which can rival the look of laminate. Vinyl is the lower-cost material, both to install and purchase.

Below are the average costs to install sq. Laminate is frequently seen as a less expensive alternative to hardwood flooring. Laminate is faster and easier to install and has lower costs for the material. This includes the underlayment, which is not often necessary for a hardwood installation.

Like laminate, there are many hardwoods. Some, like prefinished engineered hardwood, are less expensive to install than others. This accounts for some of the larger cost range for hardwood. Laminate can also be installed DIY if you desire, while hardwood must be installed professionally for the best results. While some hardwoods should not be used in damp areas, other types like engineered hardwood can. No laminate should be used in damp areas because it is more likely to swell and warp if exposed to moisture.

Of the two types, hardwood lasts considerably longer than laminate. Hardwood can last for years or more with proper care, while laminate lasts 30 years. However, laminate is the less-expensive option to purchase and install. Below are the average costs of both materials in a sq. Another popular material to consider for your floors is carpet. Carpet and laminate can be installed in most rooms of the home.

They come in many styles, making them suitable for most homes. However, while laminate can be installed DIY, carpet requires professional installation. Like laminate, there are many types of carpeting and carpet underlayments to choose from. Choosing a natural material like wool and using a thicker carpet pad means a much more expensive installation. However, you can use a thinner synthetic carpet for less.

Using a thicker laminate also increases costs, while thinner laminates can be less expensive. When choosing between materials, consider longevity and maintenance. In general, laminate is easier to maintain and longer-lasting than carpeting. However, carpet tends to be less expensive and more comfortable than laminate. As with all flooring, there are pros and cons to laminate. Laminate is very affordable, cheaper than genuine hardwood floors. It is also widely available, easily accessible, and comes in a range of looks and finishes.

However, it is not as durable as hardwood, lasting about 30 years, and is also more vulnerable to scratches and tears. It can also be regarded as less attractive than real hardwood because of its synthetic nature, so it does not improve resale value. Laminate flooring can be installed over the existing floor, which can save time and hassle. However, this can lead to a non-level floor in the future. Many homeowners feel that removing or replacing subflooring is beyond their skill level and hire a carpenter to lay a new subfloor or remove the old.

It is a good idea to remove the old floor before they arrive to install the new one. The approximate cost of removing a sq.

Talk to local pros to get quotes for your laminate flooring installation Get Quotes. When installing laminate floors look into enhancing the floors with radiant heating. Radiant floor heating cannot be installed on existing flooring, so it is a good time to look into this improvement. Radiant floor heating system installations are typically expensive and require a professional to install.