American homeowners have a strong preference for engineered hardwood flooring for several reasons. Constructed from real wood, this type of flooring material resembles hardwood flooring and has been available since the 1960s. What makes engineered hardwood flooring different are the thin layers of wood planks glued together under high pressure that lie underneath the flooring. Traditional hardwood flooring includes just one solid plank.
Benefits of Engineered Hardwood Flooring
The plank used for engineered wood is more stable than standard hardwood. Because of this, flooring contractors have an easier time installing engineered wood floors above or below grade. The result is flooring that is less vulnerable to the impact of humidity and moisture. Most engineered hardwood floors last for a homeowner’s lifetime.
Another one of the major benefits of engineered hardwood floors is that contractors can place it over some types of old flooring. Eliminating the need for contractors to rip out old flooring saves considerable time and money when installing a new design.
Families with young children and/or pets appreciate this type of flooring because it is easier to clean. Juice spills and muddy paw prints do not cause permanent damage like they might with certain other types of flooring.
What Is the Average Cost to Install Engineered Hardwood Flooring?
The typical cost of installing an engineered wood floor is $2,500 to $6,800 nationwide. However, you can expect considerable variation in these prices, depending on the types of materials you choose and how many square feet the material has to cover. According to Angi, formerly known as Angie’s List, the average cost of engineered hardwood flooring is $6 to $12 per square foot.
As the wood quality and the size of the room receiving a new floor increase, so does the cost per square foot of engineered wood. The current range is $13 to $25. For example, flooring material covering 500 square feet would run you $3,000 to $6,000, while a 2,000-square-foot space would cost approximately $12,000 to $24,000.
Hardwood flooring costs also vary by your geographic region. Homeowners in California can expect to pay the most for a new engineered hardwood floor at $9,388. States in the Midwest region, such as Iowa, Minnesota, and the Dakotas, have the lowest prices for materials and labor at $4,900.
Price Range of Wood Quality
Basic engineered wood, along with bamboo and pine, is the least-expensive type of wood to use for flooring. High-end woods include hickory, maple, red oak, white ash, and white oak. You will spend the most money on your flooring project if you select one of these types of wood and cover more than 500 square feet of floor space.