Laminate Flooring Cost

How Much Does Laminate Flooring Cost?

Basic Flooring, DIY: $450-$950

Mid-Range, DIY: $1,300-$3,000

Installed: $1,250-$5,000

Also referred to as a floating floor or Pergo (the Swedish company that developed the concept), laminate flooring is a completely manufactured product that simulates the look of hardwood, tile, stone or other natural flooring materials. Laminate flooring usually has an under layer; about a half-inch composite-wood/fiber core; a print/design layer with a photograph of the desired wood grain or other natural flooring style; and a top coating of clear melamine plastic resin that resists scratching, cutting and fading. (Laminate flooring is sometimes confused with laminated wood flooring -- another name for engineered wood flooring -- which has an actual layer of wood veneer on top.)

Typical costs:

Installing laminate flooring is a relatively common weekend project for two people with intermediate-level do-it-yourself skills. Low-cost laminate starts around 90 cents -$2 for thinner flooring (6-7mm). With some additional costs for underlayment and matching baseboards/trim, it can run $450 -$950 for basic laminate materials for a 20x20-square-foot living room.
Laminate prices are based in large part on how realistic-looking the flooring is; inexpensive laminate may look artificial. Thicker (8-12mm) and more realistic laminate could run $3 -$7 a square foot, with total materials costs of $1,300 -$3,000 for a living room. Other factors affecting the price include the efficiency and strength of the locking mechanism, higher levels of melamine in the core to improve moisture resistance, and options such as joints impregnated with Paraffin wax to repel water.
Professional installation costs vary considerably by location, but can add $2 -$5 a square foot. (It can be more for a custom-designed installation with an elaborate pattern, and small projects may have a minimum charge of $200 -$500.) For a 400-square-foot living room, labor and materials can run $1,250 -$3,000 with basic laminate and $2,100 -$5,000 with better quality products.

What should be included:

Laminate flooring can either click together with special locking systems (no glue) or glue together with special adhesive that is either applied on site or pre-applied (at the factory) to the edges of the flooring and moistened on site. Glued-together flooring is more waterproof, but also harder to remove or replace. Laminate floors typically require special thin padding underneath the planks so they can move freely, and to cut the amount of noise created when the flooring is walked on.
Laminate flooring should be brought into the room 2-3 days before installation begins, to let it acclimate to the usual temperature and humidity levels. When the floor is installed, at least a quarter-inch gap should be left between the flooring and the wall, to allow for seasonal expansion. HGTV.com gives basic how-to installation instructions; BobVila.com offers a video of a professional installation; and the World Floor Covering Association provides an overview of what to expect before, during and after installation.

Additional costs:

There can be extra charges for furniture removal and replacement; ripping out and disposing of old flooring material; repairing or replacing a damaged subfloor; and removing and then re-hanging doors. A Conneticut installer charges an extra 20 cents per square foot to remove old carpet, another 20 cents per square foot for moving furniture, $15 per appliance moved and $35 per toilet.

Discounts:

Overstocked laminate flooring is often available at discounted prices online or from flooring stores. Amounts available will vary and selection may be limited; be sure to check each box for damage or color/design variations. For click-together glueless floors, make sure the locking mechanisms are compatible.

Shopping for laminate flooring:

Major manufacturers include Armstrong, Dupont, Mannington, Pergo, Quick-Step and Wilsonart.
Laminate flooring is sold online, in most home improvement centers and in flooring stores. Most stores also provide installation service or referrals to local installation contractors. The World Floor Covering Association provides a directory of retail floor stores by zip code.
Ask about the installer's training and experience with laminate flooring, and request (and contact) references from satisfied customers. Confirm that the contractor is properly insured, bonded and licensed (licensing requirements vary by state), and check for complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau.