Laminate vs. Hardwood Flooring (2024 Guide)

Written by Angela Bunt Updated 04/11/2024

Installing real wood is not the only way to get the flooring look you want. Homeowners who love the way wood floors look can choose between hardwood and laminate flooring options. Both have the appearance of wood but have different price points, durability levels, and pros and cons. We compare hardwood and laminate flooring in the guide below to help you determine the best choice for your home.

Laminate vs. Hardwood Flooring: Similarities

There are several similarities between these two types of flooring.

Appearance: Both laminate and hardwood look like real wood and have similar wood grain patterns and colors. Laminate has improved dramatically over time in replicating the appearance of natural wood floors.
Home value: Hardwood and laminate floors increase the resale value more effectively than carpet or tile. Hardwood generally offers a higher return on investment, though.
Installation: You can install both laminate and engineered hardwood as floating floors over foam underlayment, or glue and nail them down to subflooring. Both are typically available for DIY projects as lock-and-fold boards or tongue-and-groove boards. However, solid hardwood must be laid by a professional.
Planks: Long planks that are up to 8 inches wide are available for both flooring types.

Laminate vs. Hardwood Flooring: Differences

Laminate is ideal for homeowners who want more waterproofing, while hardwood offers more durability, more soundproofing, and a warmer feel. Here are additional differences:

Composition: Laminate consists of synthetic materials fused onto a composite wood core. Hardwood is milled from solid wood, though engineered wood flooring is made from a combination of natural wood and plywood.
Durability: Hardwood is more durable, has a longer lifespan, and can withstand decades of wear. Laminate is prone to chipping, fading, and wear over time.
Eco-friendliness: Real hardwood floors are more eco-friendly, as they come from a renewable resource as long as you choose responsibly-sourced or reclaimed wood. Laminate contains resins and petroleum-derived materials, which have a higher environmental impact than solid wood flooring.
Feel and sound: Hardwood feels warmer underfoot and absorbs sound, while laminate feels more plastic-like and can sound hollow when walked on.
Maintenance: Scratches and dents can be sanded and refinished out of hardwood. Laminate cannot be refinished, so its boards require total replacement when damaged.
Waterproofing: Laminate flooring is water-resistant thanks to its durable protective wear layer. Solid hardwood can suffer water damage if moisture penetrates the finish.

Laminate vs. Hardwood Flooring: Cost

Cost is crucial to any decision a homeowner makes about flooring. These factors will influence your total installation costs for either laminate or hardwood flooring:

Labor: Professional flooring installation includes labor fees that range from $2–$12 per square foot, depending on the complexity of the job. Labor fees will increase if your flooring must be installed in an oddly shaped area or on stairs.
Style: Both options use various flooring materials and types of wood, which range from cost-effective and functional to luxurious and expensive.
Thickness: Laminate and hardwood flooring are typically available in thicknesses ranging from 6 to 12 millimeters. Thicker materials cost more.
Square footage: The more space you have to cover, the more money you’ll spend.

Laminate Flooring Cost

Hardwood Flooring Cost

The national average cost of laminate flooring is $1–$4.50* for the laminate itself and another $2–$8 for professional installation. That means the total cost of laying down laminate flooring in a 2,000-square-foot space is between $6,000 and $25,000. Below is a breakdown of different laminate flooring styles and their national average cost per square foot.

Acacia: $1–$2.20 per square foot
Beech: $1–$2.90 per square foot
Cherry: $1.70–$2.80 per square foot
Elm: $1.40–$3.70 per square foot
Hickory: $1.50–$4.50 per square foot
Maple: $1.50–$3.80 per square foot
Oak: $1–$3.70 per square foot
Stone: $3.50–$4 per square foot
Tile: $3.50–$5 per square foot
Walnut: $0.90–$2.80 per square foot

*All cost data sourced from Fixr and HomeAdvisor.

The average cost of hardwood floors is $3–$12.50 per square foot for materials and $6–$12 per square foot for labor, for a total of $9–$24.50 per square foot.* These prices mean hardwood flooring installation for a 2,000-square-foot house will cost between $18,000 and $49,000. Here are the different wood types you can purchase with the national average cost per square foot:

Bamboo: $4.50–$6.50 per square foot
Brazilian walnut: $8.25–$10.50 per square foot
Cherry: $4.30–$7.25 per square foot
Cypress: $3.85–$5.75 per square foot
Hickory: $4.15–$7.15 per square foot
Mahogany: $6.45–$7.50 per square foot
Maple: $6.15–$10 per square foot
Pine: $1.25–$2.10 per square foot
Red oak: $3–$5.75 per square foot
Teak: $8.75–$12.50 per square foot
White ash: $5.75–$8.25 per square foot
White oak: $3.75–$7 per square foot

*All cost data sourced from Fixr and HomeAdvisor.

Laminate vs. Hardwood Flooring: Pros and Cons

If you’re still not sure which to choose, check out the pros and cons of hardwood and laminate below to understand which is better for your home.

Laminate Flooring Pros and Cons

Here are some of laminate flooring’s benefits and disadvantages:

Costs less than hardwood but provides hardwood appearance

Water-resistant and a good option for kitchens, baths, laundry rooms, and basements

Installs quickly with click-lock planks that float over foam underlayment without glue

Can chip, peel, swell, and warp if excess moisture seeps into the planks

Lacks the natural beauty, feel, and richness of solid hardwood floors

Requires damaged boards to be fully replaced

Hardwood Flooring Pros and Cons

Here are the perks and downsides of hardwood flooring:

Natural beauty, warmth and character

Lasts 50–100 years or more with proper care and refinishing.

Scratches can be sanded out and refinished rather than undergoing full replacement

Higher upfront cost

Excess water causes cupping, swelling, crowning, and other damage

Requires regular cleaning and seasonal refinishing

DIY vs. Professional Flooring Installation

A do-it-yourself approach might be financially beneficial for laminate or engineered wood flooring, but professional installation is the superior choice for solid hardwood flooring.

DIY Flooring Installation

First, choose the laminate or engineered wood with the appearance that you want. You’ll need to purchase click-and-lock or tongue-and-groove flooring planks, a saw, and other necessary tools to make installation a DIY project. Ensure you understand each step of the DIY installation process before starting. Most homeowners can install a room’s worth of laminate flooring in a weekend.

In the video below, Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner replace a dated vinyl kitchen floor with a more modern product.

Professional Flooring Installation

Consider calling a pro if you choose laminate that needs to be glued or nailed down or if your subfloor needs leveling or repair. We recommend professional assistance for the installation of any hardwood flooring because it requires ample training and experience to account for changing temperatures, humidity, and moisture protection.

No matter the type of flooring, a professional contractor guarantees quicker installation, especially if you apply flooring on stairs or in oddly shaped spaces. You’ll pay for labor but ultimately deal with less mess and disruption to your daily life.

Our Conclusion

Laminate flooring is an excellent option for homeowners with a tight budget who need water-resistant flooring and prefer a simple, contemporary look. If you want to add long-term property value to your home and prefer natural materials and warmth, hardwood’s beauty is worth the extra upfront cost.

We ultimately recommend professional installation for either option, given the size of an investment in new flooring. Our tool below connects you with reputable local flooring experts who can offer free quotes. We recommend getting estimates from at least three companies before making your choice.

FAQ About Laminate vs. Hardwood Flooring

Why choose laminate over hardwood?

Homeowners choose laminate flooring over hardwood flooring for its affordability and moisture resistance. We recommend laminate over hardwood for kitchens, basements, and bathrooms.

Does hardwood scratch easier than laminate?

Hardwood floors scratch more easily than laminate floors, but it is also easier to repair a scratch on hardwood. If a laminate floor is scratched, you must replace the entire board, but hardwood can be refinished.

Is laminate flooring louder than hardwood?

Yes, laminate flooring is louder than hardwood because hardwood flooring is naturally more sound-absorbent. You can add acoustic underlayment to laminate flooring to make it quieter.

When should you not install hardwood floors?

Avoid hardwood flooring installation during the hotter and more humid months of the year. New hardwood flooring absorbs moisture from the air, which causes it to expand, swell, and warp.

To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.