What is the best flooring for the money?

Best overall value: luxury vinyl plank (LVP). Looks like real wood. 100% waterproof. Comfortable and warm underfoot. Easy DIY installation. Works in every room including kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Cost: $5-$12/sq ft installed. 15-25 year lifespan. Best investment (highest ROI): hardwood. Adds the most home value. Can be refinished multiple times. Lasts 50-100+ years. Cost: $10-$25/sq ft installed. Best budget: laminate. Affordable wood look. Durable. Cost: $3-$10/sq ft installed. 15-25 year lifespan.

How much does new flooring cost?

Per sq ft (installed): carpet: $3-$12. Laminate: $3-$10. LVP: $5-$12. Engineered hardwood: $8-$22. Solid hardwood: $10-$25. Tile: $7-$25. Natural stone: $15-$40. For a typical 1,000 sq ft home: budget (LVP or laminate): $3,000-$12,000. Mid-range (engineered hardwood or quality LVP): $8,000-$18,000. Premium (solid hardwood or tile): $10,000-$25,000+. Additional costs: old floor removal ($1-$3/sq ft), subfloor repair ($2-$5/sq ft if needed), underlayment, transitions.

Hardwood vs LVP: which is better?

Hardwood pros: real wood (natural beauty and character). Increases home value more. Can be refinished multiple times. Lasts 50-100+ years. Hardwood cons: expensive ($10-$25/sq ft installed). Not waterproof. Scratches and dents. High maintenance (refinish every 5-10 years). LVP pros: waterproof. More affordable ($5-$12/sq ft installed). Scratch-resistant. Easy DIY installation. Works in every room. LVP cons: not real wood (some people can tell). Cannot be refinished. Shorter lifespan (15-25 years). Less home value increase. Choose hardwood when: budget allows, main living areas, resale value matters. Choose LVP when: budget matters, kitchens and bathrooms, basements, pet and kid households, DIY installation.

What flooring adds the most home value?

Ranking by home value impact: 1. Solid hardwood (highest value add). 2. Engineered hardwood. 3. Tile (in kitchens and bathrooms). 4. LVP (growing acceptance). 5. Laminate (modest value). 6. Carpet (lowest, and dated carpet can reduce value). The rule: hardwood floors can increase home value by 2.5-5% ($5,000-$15,000 on a $300,000 home). Refinishing existing hardwood: $3-$5/sq ft (one of the highest-ROI projects). New hardwood ROI: 70-80%. Tip: if you have hardwood under carpet, exposing and refinishing it is one of the best investments.

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Flooring

Flooring Guide: Types, Cost & How to Choose

Lumberama Editorial Team, Flooring & Home Improvement Specialists Nov 4, 2026 10 min read

Flooring Types Compared

Solid hardwood: Real wood planks (3/4 inch thick). Can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Adds the most home value. Not suitable for basements or high-moisture areas. Cost: $6-$18/sq ft (material). $10-$25/sq ft (installed). Lifespan: 50-100+ years.

Engineered hardwood: Real wood veneer on plywood core. More stable than solid (resists moisture expansion). Can be refinished 1-3 times (depending on veneer thickness). Suitable for all levels including basements (over concrete). Cost: $4-$16/sq ft (material). $8-$22/sq ft (installed). Lifespan: 20-50+ years.

Laminate: Photographic image of wood under a clear wear layer on HDF core. Not real wood (cannot be refinished). Durable, scratch-resistant. Not waterproof (standard). Waterproof versions available. Cost: $1-$5/sq ft (material). $3-$10/sq ft (installed). Lifespan: 15-25 years.

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): Vinyl with a realistic wood or stone look. 100% waterproof. Comfortable underfoot (softer than wood or tile). Easy DIY installation (click-lock). Cost: $2-$7/sq ft (material). $5-$12/sq ft (installed). Lifespan: 15-25 years.

Tile (ceramic/porcelain): Fired clay. Extremely durable and waterproof. Best for bathrooms, kitchens, and entryways. Cold and hard underfoot (can add radiant heat). Cost: $1-$15/sq ft (material). $7-$25/sq ft (installed). Lifespan: 50-100+ years.

Carpet: Soft, warm, comfortable. Best for bedrooms and living areas. Traps allergens (not ideal for allergy sufferers). Stains and wears over time. Cost: $1-$8/sq ft (material). $3-$12/sq ft (installed). Lifespan: 5-15 years.

Natural stone (marble, slate, travertine): Premium, unique appearance. Very durable. Requires sealing. Cost: $5-$30/sq ft (material). $15-$40/sq ft (installed). Lifespan: 50-100+ years.

Cost Comparison

Per sq ft (material + installation): Carpet: $3-$12. Laminate: $3-$10. LVP: $5-$12. Engineered hardwood: $8-$22. Solid hardwood: $10-$25. Ceramic tile: $7-$20. Porcelain tile: $8-$25. Natural stone: $15-$40.

For a typical 1,000 sq ft project: Carpet: $3,000-$12,000. Laminate: $3,000-$10,000. LVP: $5,000-$12,000. Engineered hardwood: $8,000-$22,000. Solid hardwood: $10,000-$25,000. Tile: $7,000-$25,000.

Additional costs: Old flooring removal: $1-$3/sq ft. Subfloor repair: $2-$5/sq ft (if needed). Underlayment: $0.25-$1/sq ft. Transitions and trim: $200-$500. Moving furniture: $100-$500.

Best Flooring by Room

Kitchen: Best: LVP, tile, or engineered hardwood. Needs water resistance and durability. Avoid: carpet, solid hardwood (water risk from dishwasher and sink).

Bathroom: Best: tile (porcelain or ceramic), LVP. Must be waterproof. Avoid: hardwood, laminate, carpet.

Living room: Best: hardwood, engineered hardwood, LVP, laminate. Balance of appearance and durability.

Bedroom: Best: carpet, hardwood, LVP. Comfort and warmth underfoot.

Basement: Best: LVP (waterproof), tile, engineered hardwood. Must handle moisture. Avoid: solid hardwood, standard laminate.

Entryway: Best: tile, LVP. Durable and easy to clean. Handles dirt, water, and heavy traffic.