How much does hardwood flooring cost?

Material: solid: $4-$15/sq ft. Engineered: $3-$12/sq ft. Installation: $3-$6/sq ft (nail or glue). $2-$4/sq ft (floating). Total installed: budget (oak, builder grade): $8-$12/sq ft. Mid-range (select oak or maple): $12-$18/sq ft. Premium (wide plank, exotic): $18-$30+/sq ft. For 1,000 sq ft: $8,000-$30,000+. National average: about $6-$12/sq ft for material, $10-$18/sq ft installed. Refinishing existing hardwood: $3-$5/sq ft (a great value compared to new installation).

Solid vs engineered hardwood: which is better?

Solid hardwood: real wood through and through. Can be refinished many times. Lasts 50-100+ years. Must be nailed to wood subfloor. Not for basements or over concrete. Most expansion/contraction with humidity. Engineered hardwood: real wood veneer on stable core. Can be refinished 1-3 times. Lasts 20-50+ years. Can go over concrete, in basements, with radiant heat. More dimensionally stable. Choose solid when: you want maximum longevity. You have a wood subfloor. You want to refinish multiple times. Traditional home with stable humidity. Choose engineered when: installing over concrete or in a basement. You have radiant heat. You want a floating installation. Climate has significant humidity swings. You want wider planks (less cupping than solid).

How long does hardwood flooring last?

Solid hardwood: 50-100+ years (can be refinished 6-10+ times). Engineered hardwood: 20-50+ years (depending on veneer thickness, can be refinished 1-3 times). What affects lifespan: species hardness (harder woods resist dents and scratches better). Finish quality (factory prefinished is generally more durable than site-finished). Traffic level (hallways and kitchens wear faster). Maintenance (sweep regularly, use felt pads on furniture, clean spills promptly). Refinishing extends life: each refinishing makes the floor look new again. Solid hardwood can be refinished every 7-10 years. Most hardwood floors outlast the home.

What is the best hardwood for dogs?

Best species: hickory (Janka 1,820): extremely hard, hides scratches in busy grain. White oak (Janka 1,360): hard, tight grain, good scratch resistance. Maple (Janka 1,450): very hard, but lighter color shows scratches more. Brazilian cherry (Janka 2,350): hardest common option. Avoid: pine (soft), cherry (soft), walnut (soft). Best finish: aluminum oxide (factory prefinished) is more scratch-resistant than polyurethane. Matte or satin finish hides scratches better than gloss. Tips for dog owners: keep nails trimmed. Use area rugs in high-traffic paths. Felt pads on all furniture. Wipe up water spills from bowls promptly. Consider engineered hardwood with a thick wear layer. LVP is also an excellent pet-friendly alternative (more scratch-resistant than any hardwood).

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Flooring

Hardwood Flooring Guide: Types, Cost & Installation

Lumberama Editorial Team, Hardwood Flooring Specialists Nov 5, 2026 10 min read

Solid vs Engineered Hardwood

Solid hardwood: One solid piece of wood (typically 3/4 inch thick). Can be sanded and refinished 6-10+ times. Lasts 50-100+ years. Must be nailed or stapled to a wood subfloor. NOT suitable for: basements, over concrete, or radiant heat (usually). Expands and contracts with humidity. Best for: above-grade living areas in stable climates. Cost: $6-$18/sq ft (material). $10-$25/sq ft (installed).

Engineered hardwood: Real wood veneer (1-6mm) on plywood or HDF core. Can be sanded and refinished 1-3 times (thicker veneer = more refinishes). More dimensionally stable (less expansion/contraction). Can be installed over concrete, in basements, and with radiant heat. Multiple installation methods: floating, glue-down, nail-down. Best for: any room, any level, especially where moisture or temperature varies. Cost: $4-$16/sq ft (material). $8-$22/sq ft (installed).

Popular Species

Oak (red and white): The most popular hardwood flooring species. Red oak: warm tones, prominent grain. White oak: cooler tones, tighter grain, more water-resistant. Hardness (Janka): red oak 1,290. White oak 1,360. Cost: $4-$10/sq ft.

Maple: Light, clean, uniform appearance. Very hard (Janka 1,450). Great for contemporary and modern styles. Cost: $5-$10/sq ft.

Hickory: Dramatic grain and color variation. Extremely hard (Janka 1,820). Rustic, character-rich appearance. Cost: $5-$10/sq ft.

Walnut: Rich, dark brown color. Softer (Janka 1,010). Elegant, warm appearance. Cost: $8-$14/sq ft.

Cherry: Warm reddish-brown that darkens over time. Softer (Janka 950). Formal, traditional look. Cost: $6-$12/sq ft.

Exotic species: Brazilian cherry (Janka 2,350): extremely hard, rich red-brown. Bamboo (Janka 1,000-3,000 depending on type): sustainable, unique look. Acacia (Janka 2,300): dramatic grain, very hard. Cost: $5-$15/sq ft.

Cost

Material only (per sq ft): Solid hardwood: $4-$15 (domestic). $6-$18 (exotic). Engineered hardwood: $3-$12 (domestic). $5-$16 (exotic).

Installation (per sq ft): Nail-down: $3-$6. Glue-down: $3-$6. Floating: $2-$4.

Total installed: Budget (oak, builder grade): $8-$12/sq ft. Mid-range (select grade oak or maple): $12-$18/sq ft. Premium (wide plank, exotic, or custom): $18-$30+/sq ft.

Refinishing existing hardwood: Sand and refinish: $3-$5/sq ft. Screen and recoat (light refresh): $1-$3/sq ft.

For a typical project (1,000 sq ft): Budget: $8,000-$12,000. Mid-range: $12,000-$18,000. Premium: $18,000-$30,000+.