Engineered Hardwood Flooring Cost

What Drives The Market For Engineered Hardwood Flooring 

Engineered hardwood flooring has been around a long time. However, over the last few years there have been a few market trends that have made this segment of the market for popular. The biggest draw for engineered floors will always be their stability. When  hardwood flooring is being installed over a concrete floor, or in an area with excessive moisture, even seasonally, a solid wood floor is just not the right choice. This is where an engineered floor excels.

The popularity of wider boards has helped to increase demand over the last decade. As boards in widths up to 12 inches are being used, an engineered is the only hardwood flooring that will work. Even a pine plank, which is available in wide widths, will shrink and expand too much in most of the country for an acceptable installation.

The other market trend that is affecting demand is the environmental movement. An engineered hardwood floor can contain recycled materials, where most other floor choices cannot.

But you are here to learn more about the costs associated with engineered wood planks, so we better get started!

Factors Affecting Engineered Wood Flooring Costs

Several elements contribute to the overall cost of engineered wood floors:

The top veneer's or wear layer quality and thickness significantly impact the price. Premium options with thicker veneers allow for multiple refinishing, increasing longevity and value. The number of plies in the construction also affects stability and price, with more engineered core layers generally resulting in a higher cost and more durable product.

Price Range for Engineered Wood Floors

Engineered wood flooring comes in various price points to suit different budgets:

• Budget-friendly options: Under $2 per square foot
• Mid-range pricing: $2 - $5 per square foot
• Premium engineered wood flooring: $5+ per square foot

At Really Cheap Floors, you can find quality engineered hardwood starting at incredibly low prices. For example:

Ambient Oak Dark Forest: $1.49 - $5.39 per sq ft

Antique Sable: $1.39 - $5.69 per sq ft

Comparing Engineered vs. Solid Hardwood Costs

When considering the cost of engineered wood floors, it's essential to compare them with solid hardwood options. While the initial purchase price of engineered wood can be lower, there are other factors to consider:

For a wide selection of both engineered and solid hardwood options, check out our prefinished solid hardwood collection.

Additional Materials and Labor Costs to Consider

When budgeting for engineered hardwood floors, don't forget to factor in these additional costs:

• Underlayment and subfloor preparation
• Professional installation (if not DIY)
• Finishing and trim work
• Maintenance products and tools
• Adhesives

These extras can add up, so it's wise to allocate about 20% of your budget for unexpected expenses.

When your project is over a concrete floor you will have decide if you want to glue your flooring down or float it. Personally I think gluing it down makes a better install, but it will cost more, as adhesives are more costly than the underlayment used under a floating floor.

But I can tell you this...if you are buying a well-constructed engineered floor like our 8 ply Somerset inventory, you can get by with a cheap glue. This is because a better floor is more stable and has less need for the resiliency required when a floor experiences movement after installation.

Transition strips are another expense that we often overlook. Stairnosing, Tmolds, and reducers can cost you $30-$100 each. Unless you pick out some trims from our closeout pile. We have thousands of trim sticks for $10 each.

Installation costs can definitely be a big expense. That is one of the reasons we love selling engineered flooring. It is easy to install! Watch a few videos and rent some tools and you are on your way to saving thousands of dollars on labor

Does The Type Of Subfloor Determine What Hardwood Flooring I Should Use?

Absolutely! Not only the type of subfloor will be considered but the condition of the subfloor can be an issue as well. 

I have had hundreds of customers ask if they caninstall a solid hardwood over their concrete slab. Yes, you can. And no, you don't want to. Even with the improved adhesives that are available today a solid wood floor has a large chance of taking on moisture when installed over a slab. That moisture will cause the planks to expand and the glue will lose it's hold, leaving you with a large pile of hardwood flooring laying loose in your floor. We don't want that! 

Engineered floors are perfect for installation over a concrete slab.

Another subfloor scenario that we run into is a particle board subfloorfloor. Used a great deal back in the 80's and 90's, particle board was an inexpensive alternative to the more expensive plywood subfloors, and many homes used them as a second layer of decking over a thinner layer of plywood.

But this subfloor option had an Achille's Heel-water. Ohmigosh. If you had a leak somewhere, or water coming in around a sliding glass door, or if your house had a basement with excessive moisture, then you had a problem.That stuff would expand and contract so predictably you could plan to hear the squeaks from the loose nails all fall and winter.

Imagine nailing  hardwood flooring into that!

Instead we would recommend that either the particle board be removed, or a floating floor be installed. High-quality engineered hardwood flooring is a great option in applications that call for a floating installation. And floating flooring is easy. Just a little messy! Just squirt carpenter's glue into the groove of the flooring then push that board tight into the tongue of the previously installed plank. On to the next board!

Finding the Best Value in Hardwood Flooring

To get the most bang for your buck, consider these tips:

At ReallyCheapFloors, our specialty is liquidating overstocks, discontinued, returns, and lower-graded hardwood floors. We work directly with Somerset, Mullican, Bruce, Hartco, and Robbins on a regular basis to move the inventory that they need rid of, letting them focus on selling the standard grades of flooring to distributors, specialty shops, and box stores across the country. That allows us to offer values that simply cannot be gotten anywhere else. Buying from ReallyCheapFloors.com insures that your hardwood costs will be lower than shopping at our competitors.

Another opportunity to get your flooring cost down even more is by taking part during one of our monthly warehouse sales.Because we are a liquidator, we cycle hundreds of different flooring products through our warehouses each year. It would be easy to let some of these odds and ends of hardwood flooring stack up and fill our warehouse. Instead, we discount these lots heavily when the footage is low. Or if a product is selling poorly. Or sometimes we just discount stuff just to make room. For this month's sale we discounted 100,000 sq ft of prefinished solid hardwood flooring to our cost, just so we can receive a huge order that is coming soon. 

Nothing effects the pricing of hardwood flooring like an excessive supply and nowhere to put it!

Antique Mystic: $1.39 - $5.69 per sq ft

Antique Cherry Oak: $1.39 - $5.69 per sq ft

For those looking for unique options, consider our wide plank flooring or explore different wood species like hickory hardwood.

Understanding Engineered Wood Floor Grades

The grade of engineered  flooring can significantly impact its cost. At Really Cheap Floors, we offer various grades to suit different needs and budgets:

• Blue Label: Value option with more variations and character
• 1st Quality: Our highest grade with minimal imperfections Excellent quality with slight variations
• Builder A: Excellent quality with slight variations and more natural character

When you start shopping for your next floor, consider using our Blue Label from Somerset. We also offer the Builder and first quality grades, but all three grades offer the same construction: 8 plys of hardwood with a thick veneer finished with polyurethane and aluminum oxide. You can buy the lowest grade, the Blue Label for as little as 99 cents sq ft, while the Builder grade will cost around $2 per sq ft. Expect to pay around $5 for the standard first quality.

The Blue Label can contain a mix of manufacturing and natural defects, and will be made up almost entirely of short boards, while the Builder is a much cleaner floor. 

For more information on engineered hardwood flooring, including its composition and benefits, check out our comprehensive guide.

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for Your Budget

Understanding the cost of  hardwood flooring is crucial for making an informed decision. By considering factors such as quality, installation, and long-term value, you can find the perfect hardwood flooring solution that fits your budget and enhances your home's beauty.

Remember to explore our specials page for the best deals on hardwood flooring. With the right approach, you can enjoy the luxurious look of hardwood at a fraction of the cost.

For personalized advice on choosing the best  hardwood flooring for your home and budget, don't hesitate to contact our flooring experts. We're here to help you make the best decision for your home improvement project.