Laminate flooring now looks and feels like genuine hardwood floors. A thin piece of genuine hardwood is frequently used as the laminate flooring’s top layer. This means you can actually feel and see the original wood grain.
How much does it cost to install 1,000 square feet of laminate floors?
The cost can be expressed to be within a range of $1,500 – $4,000 for a 1,000 sq. ft. floor. But the estimation of the cost is actually a little complicated. You have to estimate the cost of the quality of texture and the type of materials. The price can also vary on the features of the flooring.
But that’s not all! You must also understand the characteristics, benefits, and drawbacks of these features. To know about it, stay till the end of this article.
So, let’s get started!
Cost To Install Laminate Floors: Floor Type Basis
Wood laminate flooring ranges in price from $1,500 to $3,000 for a 1,000 sq. ft. floor. The most common type of laminate flooring is wood-look. It has a much wider range of options than the other varieties.
Wood
Wood-looking flooring comes in a variety of colors, widths, and thicknesses. And laminating floorings are one of the most popular wood-like floorings. The majority are click-lock, allowing for installation as a “floating” floor. There are also older versions that can be nailed or glued down.
Stone
The price of stone-look laminate flooring varies from $3,500 and $4,000 for a 1,000 sq. ft. floor. This type of laminate is far less prevalent than wood-look laminate. It is available in a variety of colors but only a few distinct styles.
The majority of them resemble a crumbled or antiqued stone floor. Instead of planks, the material is offered as click-lock tiles.
Tiles
The tiles are typically bigger and may contain a variety of stone sizes on a single tile. When clicked together, it resembles a stone tile floor in a repeating pattern.
The cost of installation varies greatly depending on the materials used. Here is a description-
| Type | Average Costs per 1,000 Sq. Ft. (Material Cost) |
| Wood | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Stone | $3,500 – $4,000 |
| Tile | $3,000 – $5,000 |
Now that you have an idea, let’s get right into it!
Cost to Install Wooden Laminate Floors
When it comes to picking and buying wood laminate flooring, customers have a lot of choices. Acacia, Beech, Hickory, Oak, and Walnut are just a few of the wood species and forms available.
Each one is unique in terms of color and design, allowing for a broad range of aesthetics. More desirable and visually appealing woods, such as elm and hickory, are more expensive. A brief installation cost for a 1,000 sq. ft. room is shown below-
| Wood Type | Low-End Cost | High-End Cost |
| Acacia | $900 | $2,200 |
| Cherry | $1,700 | $2,800 |
| Walnut | $1,900 | $2,800 |
| Beech | $990 | $2,900 |
| Oak | $970 | $3,700 |
| Elm | $1,400 | $3,700 |
| Maple | $1,500 | $3,800 |
| Hickory | $1,500 | $4,500 |
Now let’s see how these costings come into being based on their characteristics-
Acacia
For 1,000 square feet of Acacia laminate flooring, you can expect to pay between $900 and $2,200. The specialty of Acacia laminate is its rich, dark brown hue. It has a warm reddish undertone that complements a variety of settings.
You’ll also notice the boards frequently have a deeper brown vein running through them. You may also receive some lighter areas that seem golden or as if they were glowing, depending on the brand. It is available in a variety of finishes, from polished to hand scraped.
Cherry
True cherry has a medium reddish-brown color that darkens and reddens as it matures. These two hues of cherry laminate are possible. It can also be a “stained” cherry, bringing out the darkest tones of the grain. The cherry in this scenario might be a deep crimson hue with even darker veining.
A 1,000 sq. ft. floor of cherry laminate flooring will range between $1,700 – $2,800. Cherry is a distinctive hue with a wide spectrum of shades.
Walnut
The cost of walnut laminate varies between $1,900 and $2,800 per 1,000 sq. ft. The hue of walnut laminate is a deep brown. Walnut comes in a variety of colors, ranging from a mid-warm tone to a colder deep hue.
For those seeking a dark floor with warmth and character, walnut might be a very appealing option. Because of the diversity of hue, this is a wonderful color for hiding dirt.
Beech
For 1,000 sq. ft. of beech laminate, prices range from $990 to $2900. The hue of beech laminate is a mild reddish-brown. The grain seems to be straight and even, with a somewhat deeper reddish-brown tone.
The Brown tone seems to be a lovely light-colored floor that looks well in a darker space. Beech has a significantly rarer hue than the other floorings.
Oak
Laminate oak flooring, like wood oak flooring, is available in a variety of designs and colors. The three types of oak are red oak, white oak, and black oak.
Red and white are the most frequently used oaks. Red oak laminate appears to have a pink/red undertone and is warmer in appearance. White oak laminate has a blue/gray undertone that makes it appear cooler. Grain and color variations are noticeable in all varieties.
The price of oak laminate flooring varies from $970 and $3700 per 1,000 square feet.
Elm
The cost of Elmlaminate flooring ranges from $1,400 to $3,700 per 1,000 sq. ft. Elm was previously a popular flooring material, but due to Dutch elm disease, new cut wood is no longer accessible. As a result, salvaged wood or laminates are the only options for achieving this hue.
Red oak laminate has a pink/red undertone and a warmer appearance. White oak laminate has a blue/gray undertone that gives it a cooler appearance. There are a variety of finishes available, ranging from polished to hand scraped.
Maple
The maple laminate has a bright, transparent tone with minimal veining.
Depending on the manufacturer, the veining might range from straight to curly. Because this is a great, even hue for flooring, it’ll work in a variety of homes. If you want a floor that will blend in with your furniture, this is a great option. For a 1,000 sq. ft. rooms, maple laminate flooring costs between $1,500 and $3,800.
Hickory
The price of hickory laminate varies from $1,500 to $4,500 per 1,000 square feet. The grain in hickory laminate is significantly more noticeable than in other colors and types.
Hickory can have strong veins and a variety of colors ranging from mild to dark. Because the backdrop is a creamy light tan, the veins tend to shine out. Stained hickory that combines the veins is also available. This is a highly appealing floor that will stand out in any situation.
This is how the type of material affects the cost. Now let’s see how the texture affects the cost.
Cost to Install Laminate Floors: Texture Factor
Laminate flooring is available in a variety of textures that mimic the appearance of real hardwood, stone, or concrete. It, too, may be polished in a variety of ways, much like the other materials. Hardwood can also be something you can put over laminate flooring.
The finished floor may be smooth or have a mild to moderate roughness depending on the type. As with all flooring, the deeper the texture, the more difficult it is to keep clean.
Here’s a table to give you a quick glimpse-
| Texture | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
| Smooth | $1,700 | $2,600 |
| Embossed | $1,800 | $3,000 |
| Embossed in register (EIR) | $1,800 | $4,000 |
| Brushed | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Oiled | $2,500 | $5,600 |
| Hand Scraped | $3,000 | $6,000 |
Now if you have an idea, let’s learn about their characteristics and how they affect the cost.
Smooth Laminate
Smooth laminate flooring ranges in price from $1,700 – $2,600 per 1,000 square feet. A smooth or satin finish is available on many types of laminate flooring. It’s gentle and smooth since there are no significant grain characteristics in this finish.
The finish is generally gleaming and simple to clean. As a result, it’s a suitable choice for locations with less foot activity, such as bedrooms. Use caution while installing this flooring in locations with dogs. Since dogs may scratch over the floor.
Embossed
For a 1,000 sq. ft. floor, embossed laminate flooring costs between $1,800 and $3,000. Smooth laminate has less depth and texture than embossed laminate. This makes cleaning more difficult, but it also makes it less slippery.
On this design, covering wear and scratches are simple. It can also have a more natural-looking appearance. However, the surface is still pretty smooth whereas rough edges are minimal to non-existent.
Embossed in Register (EIR)
For 1,000 sq. ft. of EIR laminate flooring, prices range from $1,800 to $4,000. This embossing creates a softer feel. The polished look contributes to the natural appearance of hardwood. The method adds depth and character to the floor’s alignment when done with grain or color variation.
The surface has a smooth feel. There are no sharp edges, and while it’s somewhat more difficult to clean, it hides wear better.
Brushed
For 1,000 sq. ft. of brushed laminate flooring, expect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000. The delicate finish of brushed laminate flooring gives an illusion of having been brushed by metal wire.
The embossed textures have a harsher and more prominent texture. This gives the floor a more rustic look and hides scratches far better than embossing. The technique adds individuality to the flooring. Especially when it’s applied on a kind with a lot of grain. It may be more difficult to clean this texture.
Oiled
The price of oiled laminate per square foot ranges from $2,500 to $5,600. Oiled laminate flooring imitates the appearance of well-oiled hardwood. The surface has a deeper shine and depth than the standard smooth style. Even though it is highly shiny, the surface is not fully level.
The tiny roughness behind the gloss adds depth and character to the piece. This is a versatile finish that works well in a wide range of settings, from traditional to modern.
Hand Scraped
The price of hand-scraped laminate flooring ranges from $3 to $6 per square foot. For 1000 sq. ft., the range is around $3,000 to $6,000.
This basically has a rough texture. And it’s meant to resemble a hand-scraped hardwood floor.
Other laminate varieties may have a texture that’s more felt than seen, but this texture is visible. It can be given a matte or polished finish to further alter the appearance. It goes with any color scheme, especially in cottages, farmhouses, and other rustic-style houses.
This is how the texture affects the cost of installing laminate floors.
Cost to Install Laminate Floors: Thickness
Laminate flooring comes in a variety of thicknesses. Laminate is commonly available in thicknesses ranging from 6 to 12 mm. The greater the thickness of the laminate, the less resistant it is to bending caused by uneven flooring. And the thicker the laminate, the less noise resistance it provides.
| Thickness | Minimum Cost | Maximum Cost |
| 6 mm | $690 | $990 |
| 7 mm | $890 | $990 |
| 8 mm | $990 | $1,790 |
| 10 mm | $200 | $4,000 |
| 12 mm | $2,200 | $6,000 |
Although the table explains the gist, let’s find out the aspects related to the thickness. The costs are based on 1,000 sq. ft. flooring.
6 mm Thick
For 1,000 sq. ft. of 6 mm laminate flooring, expect to pay between $600 and $900. This is the thinnest laminate flooring on the market, and it is available in a variety of colors and patterns. It has a smooth texture in most cases. Since it is thin, you can install carpets on these laminate floors.
This laminate does not survive as long as other laminates. It is possible that a thicker underlayment 3 or a completely flat subfloor will be required.
7 mm Thick
Laminate floors with a thickness of 7 mm cost between $800 and $1,000. This flooring is somewhat thicker than 6mm floors. It’s also not as versatile as other thicknesses in terms of color and style.
The most widely used texture is smooth. It’s significantly simpler to install than 6 mm, but it is still challenging. A smooth, flat underlayment or subfloor is required. When the floor is this thick, the most noticeable drawback is the noise of walking on it.
8 mm Thick
The price of 8 mm laminate flooring varies between $900 and $1,800. This is the most often used laminate thickness. It’s thin enough to be cheap, yet thick enough to make installation easy. It still needs a layer underneath, but it doesn’t have to be as thick.
It comes in a variety of styles, colors, and finishes. If you don’t use the right underlayment, it might still be noisy underfoot.
10 mm Thick
Laminate flooring with a thickness of 10 mm costs between $1,900 and $4,000. The second most common thickness is this one. It’s easy to assemble and comes in a variety of colors, designs, and finishes. It has a quieter underfoot feel and doesn’t require a thick overlay.
Although all laminates require some underlayment, the thickness can be reduced by this. This floor may be quite comfy underfoot with the correct underlayment.
12 mm Thick
Laminate flooring with a thickness of 12 mm ranges in price from $2,200 to $6,000. The thickness of 12 mm laminate is used less frequently than other thicknesses. It’s more difficult to install at this thickness. This is because thicker floorings aren’t very flexible.
The use of an underlayment is required for this but it doesn’t require a particularly thick model. It comes in a variety of finishes and styles. It’s also rather calm and pleasant to walk on.
This is how the thickness of the laminate flooring can affect the cost and your comfortability. So pick wisely.
Cost to Install Laminate Floors: Finish Basis
There are a variety of finishes available for laminate. Oil-finished textures are inherently glossy, but hand-scraped textures are more typically matte.
You may sometimes mix and match finishes and textures to create a distinctive look. Now let’s see how differentiating the types of finishes affect the overall costing of the installation.
Semi-Matte
A semi-matte finish is a medium gloss surface that is midway between matte and high gloss. It’s also known as a medium gloss finish. This kind of flooring has a good amount of shine and sheen. Although it’s a little more subtle than the high gloss versions. It is a wonderful alternative for people on a budget. Its cost ranges from $900 to $3,800 for a 1,000 sq. ft. rooms.
Matte
This finish offers a flat or matte look. Matte laminate flooring has the illusion of real wood without the glitz and glare of glossier versions. Matte laminate flooring has the advantage of hiding scratches better than glossy laminate flooring. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns. And for installing it in a 1,000 sq. ft. rooms, it costs between $900 and $4,500.
Gloss
The surface of glossy laminates is extremely polished and high-gloss. They easily reflect light and may brighten gloomy spaces. They may also make a space look bigger, especially if a cooler-toned floor is used.
Darker glossy floors offer a unique look to a space and are appropriate for more traditional settings. Glossy finish laminate floors range in price from $1,700 to $5,600 per 1,000 sq. ft.
This is how different types of finishing affect the cost of installing laminate floors.
Cost to Install Laminate Floors: Labor Cost
The average labor cost to install laminate flooring is $1,500. Installing laminate flooring for a 1,000 sq. ft. floor costs $800 to $2,800 on average. The cost of the underlayment and laminate installation is included in this pricing.
Laminate flooring is simple to install and takes only a few hours. The underlayment is first rolled out and taped down, then the laminate is locked over it.
Thin laminates are more expensive to install than thick laminates, costing around $8 per square foot. Thicker laminates are quicker and easier to install, as well as potentially less costly.
Laminate Floors: How To Measure
Measuring your house for laminate flooring is the first step in determining how much it will cost to install. And, luckily, it’s not difficult to accomplish.
A measuring tape, as well as a pen and paper, are required. Here’s what you should do-
- Measure the space as if it were a rectangle.
- If the room is L-shaped, divide it into two rectangles and measure them separately.
- You can determine the area of the rectangle by multiplying the width and length.
Even if you know how many square feet your room is, it’s always better to calculate again.
Remember to add an extra 5% to 10% of square footage for loss. Such as the parts that will need to be trimmed. That implies you’ll need roughly 420 to 440 square feet of materials for a 400 square-foot space.
Laminate Floors: Advantages and Disadvantages
There are a lot of pros and cons to laminating flooring. It’s also not good for all types of houses. Like vinyl flooring is good flooring for pier and beam houses.
Advantages
- Hardwood is more pricey than laminate floors. So it’s more economical.
- They are more long-lasting than real wood.
- Laminate floors are scratch, stain, and dent-resistant to a great extent.
- Upkeep costs for these floors are also very low.
- Cleaning is simple with a mop, water, and a light cleaner.
- It is possible to lay it over existing flooring.
These are some of the reasons you should go for laminated floorings.
Disadvantages
There are, obviously, certain disadvantages to adopting laminate floors. Such as-
- Laminate floors are not “genuine” wood. So it’s frequently despised.
- Their resale value is very low.
- Cannot be sanded and refinished in the same way as solid wood floors can.
These were the advantages and disadvantages of laminate floors. Now decide wisely before going into action.
FAQs
Question: How much does it cost for the underlayment for laminate flooring?
Answer: For moisture-prone regions, an additional moisture barrier of $35 per roll is necessary. The cost of underlayment varies from $30 to $50 per roll. The more expensive and difficult it is to roll out and install underlayment, the thicker it is.
Question: How much does it cost for T-modeling with laminate floors?
Answer: The cost of T-molding per linear foot varies between $3.49 and $5.99. T-molding is employed at the doorway connecting two floors of equivalent thickness.
Question: What is the expense of laminating the step nose?
Answer: A step nose may cost anything from $4.95 to $9.99 per linear foot. The top stair or landing begins with this curving finish piece.
Conclusion
Now you know how much it costs to install 1,000 square feet of laminate floors. Keep in mind that your cost will increase with every extra feature that you’ll like to include. For example: adding waterproof or soundproof features.
If you still have any doubt, you can reach out to us. We’re always here to clear your problems.
Till then, all the best!