The cost of hardwood floors will depend primarily on the total square footage of flooring, the type of wood you select, the cost of labor in your region, and any preparation or repair work that needs to take place before installation. Selecting exotic woods, such as teak, will result in a higher cost for the project than a more affordable wood such as oak. The national average cost of hardwood floor installation is $5,750. Here are some examples of different woods and their average costs; actual costs will vary depending on the factors listed above.

• Basic wood floor installation: $3 per square foot from a wood floor installation company.
  • The product cost for hand-scraped ¾-inch oak planks: $7 per square foot.

• 620 square feet of maple floor:
  • Residential installation, total project cost: ~ $2,400 with five days of labor.
  • ¾-inch dark stained maple installed on top of new concrete in three rooms, a hallways, and a staircase.  
    • Cost for total project: ~$3.87 per square foot.

The time it takes to install hardwood and concrete floors varies based on the condition of your current floors, the size of your floors and other factors. Use the following information to gauge how long your flooring installation might take.

Time it takes to install a hardwood floor: Several days to 2+ weeks

Hardwood floor installation can take anywhere from a few days to more than two weeks, depending on demolition, wood type, the condition of your subfloor, total square footage of the project and installation method. Demolition is necessary if you have existing flooring you want to replace with hardwood floors. New-construction homes do not require this step, as the subfloor is primed and ready for floor installation.

During demolition, the flooring crew may find that your subfloor has damaged wood, uneven surfaces or other problems that must be addressed before the new wood can be laid down. Subfloor repair can take a few hours to several days, depending on what’s hiding underneath your floor. The wood for your new floor generally arrives a few days before any work begins. 

The actual wood installation may take several days or more, depending on the size of your home and what type of custom cutting and designs are desired. If your flooring is not prefinished, the unfinished wood must then be sanded and stained in the home to treat and protect your new investment. Typically, staining takes a full day to dry, and multiple coats are applied. 

For a more accurate timeframe of how long it will take to install hardwood floors in your home, reach out to one of the best flooring companies near you.

Time it takes to install a concrete floor: 2 days to 1 week

Installing concrete floors can take anywhere from two days to a week, depending on what you need done. Some of the factors that can impact how long it will take to install concrete floors are: 

• The size of the space
• The stain or finish
• The condition of your existing floor
• Whether you want intricate, simple or no designs 
• The overall complexity of the project

To get an accurate estimate of how long installing concrete floors will take for your home, speak to a concrete contractor near you. 

You can install hardwood floors without removing baseboards, but it’s recommended that you remove them to fix baseboards that aren’t properly aligned, cover the expansion gap, adjust the boards’ height and ensure the baseboards match the new flooring. When talking to contractors, ask if they recommend removing your baseboard before they install your hardwood floors.

It’s possible to install certain surfaces under hardwood flooring if you’re concerned about moisture or noise transmission. Builder’s felt, solid underlayment, plastic sheets and rubberized membranes are a few options you can consider. Talk to a hardwood flooring contractor or company to discuss all of your options.

Hardwood flooring generally comes in several thicknesses, with thicker, high-quality boards typically being more expensive and more durable. The thinnest is 5/16 inch thick. The next thickness is 3/8 inch thick, and the thickest solid hardwood flooring is generally 3/4 inch thick or 1/2 inch thick. The cost for each thickness varies by the brand, retailer and type of wood. Generally, you might see prices ranging as low as  $2.50 to $6 per square foot.

The best hardwood floors are made from durable, hard species like oak, maple and cherry. Solid hardwood is typically the better choice over engineered wood because you can sand out the scratches multiple times. However, engineered hardwood is better equipped for humid households. 

Consider buying prefinished hardwood flooring, which can be more durable and simplify the installation process. Plus, prefinished wood often comes with a warranty from the factory.

Bamboo is another popular option, though be aware that some might not be as eco-friendly as others due to its production process. Some of the popular hardwood floor brands are Bruce, Carlisle and Lumber Liquidators.

To ensure you choose the best type of wood flooring for your home, hire one of the top hardwood floor installation professionals near you.

Yes, but engineered wood flooring has the same susceptibility to scratching as hardwood flooring. Engineering wood floors have a layer of real wood on top. For this reason, engineered hardwood reacts the same way that regular hardwood does to scratching. If you don’t mind a few character marks on your floor like small scratches and dents, this is not a problem. However, engineered wood can be sanded down and resealed if the damage gets too great.

Find a hardwood floor professional in your area who can tell you more about the pros and cons of engineered wood floors.

Waterproof or scratch-resistant flooring is typically the best flooring for dogs. This includes: 

• Vinyl: Vinyl may not add much to the value of your home, but it is resistant to scratching, stains, dents and accidents. Plus, it’s an affordable option.
• Tile: Tile is generally water-resistant and scratch-proof, and more affordable than hardwood or stone.
• Laminate: Laminate is not truly waterproof, but it is tough and often more scratch-resistant than other wood floorings. 

Remember that solid hardwood is susceptible to damage, including dents, scratching, licking and accidents. But if you want to install wood floors, the best hardwood floors for dogs are typically made out of maple, Brazilian walnut or bamboo.

For more tips on choosing the best flooring for dogs, talk to one of the best flooring installation professionals near you.

The national average cost to install flooring is $5,500, with prices ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 . Your cost can be much lower or higher depending on the type of flooring you select, the square footage of the project, and other important variables like demolition and repair work needed.

Here are some examples of floor installation costs, depending on the material:

• Laminate flooring: $300 - $4,000
• Vinyl flooring: $1,000 - $4,500
• Radiant floor heating: $1,000 - $10,000
• Wood flooring: $1,500 - $10,000
• Bamboo flooring: $3,500 - $9,000

Reach out to the top flooring installation specialists near you to get an accurate, free estimate of how much it will cost to install flooring in your home.

The disadvantages of vinyl flooring are worth considering for homeowners. Vinyl flooring is difficult to repair if it tears or scratches because you cannot refinish it. And while it imitates more expensive products, it is still usually easy to spot vinyl flooring. This means it might not add to the value of a house, as most buyers would prefer to remove vinyl flooring and replace it with something of a higher quality. Low-quality vinyl flooring is also susceptible to fading and discoloration from sunlight.

For more information on the disadvantages -- and advantages -- of vinyl flooring, reach out to a flooring installation company near you.