Laminate flooring is a great way to get the look and feel of a hardwood floor without the price tag of solid hardwood.  Laminate planks come in many colors that are not often associated with solid hardwood, from dark, almost black finishes to very light blonde.  While laminate does not have the longevity of solid hardwood, it is much easier to install and can even be installed over an existing floor.

The biggest draw of laminate flooring is by far the first advantage we mentioned - its relatively low cost. Just knowing that laminate is cheaper than hardwood doesn’t help much when you are budgeting, however.  So just how much should you expect to pay for a new laminate floor?

The cost of any floor is made up of two parts - material costs and labor costs.  Labor costs don’t fluctuate too much between flooring types as most installers work for an hourly wage. Since laminate flooring is easier to install than many other options, its installation cost per square foot is a little lower than average - generally between $2 and $5 per square foot.

Labor costs will vary with the complexity of your project, however.  If you need an existing tile floor removed or if your subfloor is damaged, you will likely pay a little more per square foot. You can also expect the cost to be on the higher end for complex installations, including oddly shaped rooms and stairways.

While there is little you can do to make your installation less complicated, the amount you spend on laminate flooring materials is entirely up to you. Laminate flooring options start at less than $2 per square foot and can cost as much as $6 per square foot. These price variances are largely determined by the quality of laminate you choose.  Thicker laminates cost more, but they also last longer.

When you combine labor and material costs, a professionally installed laminate floor will generally cost between $4 and $10 per square foot.  This means that for an average sized family room (approximately 12’x18’), a budget laminate floor would cost around $900 and a high-end laminate floor would cost a little less than $2,000. 

A small 10’x12’ bedroom will usually cost between $500 and $1,100, while a large owner’s bedroom will cost between $1,100 and $2,250.  Major complexities (such as a sunken sitting area in the family room) in any of these scenarios would increase the price; prep work completed by the homeowner (such as removing existing flooring yourself) will decrease the price.

Laminate flooring brings warmth and elegance to any room, regardless of whether you spend a little bit or a lot on the materials.  To ensure that your new laminate floor looks its best and lasts as long as it should, call the flooring experts at Tiling Halifax for a free quote on professional laminate floor installation.  No job is too big, too small, or too complicated for us, and every job is backed by our complete satisfaction guarantee!