Laminate vs. Hardwood Flooring: Which Costs Less?
The verdict
Laminate wins on price — about half the cost of hardwood and friendlier to DIY — and modern laminate looks convincing. But hardwood is the long game: it lasts generations, can be refinished instead of replaced, and real wood floors are something buyers will pay extra for. If you're staying put a few years or flooring a high-traffic rental, laminate makes sense. If this is your forever home or you care about resale, hardwood earns its premium.
Flooring shoppers almost always end up weighing laminate against hardwood — the budget pick that mimics wood versus the real thing. The price gap is real, but so is the difference in how long the floor lasts and what it does for your home’s value.
Laminate is a printed wood-look layer over a dense fiberboard core: cheaper, tough against scratches, and DIY-friendly. Hardwood is solid or engineered real wood — more expensive up front, but refinishable and prized by buyers. Here’s how the numbers and trade-offs compare.
| Factor | Laminate | Hardwood |
|---|---|---|
| Installed cost | $3 – $8 / sq ft | $6 – $18 / sq ft |
| Typical 500 sq ft room | $1,500 – $4,000 | $3,000 – $9,000 |
| What it is | Photo layer over fiberboard core | Solid or engineered real wood |
| Lifespan | 15 – 25 years | 30 – 100 years (refinishable) |
| Water resistance | Limited; swells if soaked | Poor for solid; better for engineered |
| Refinishing | Can't refinish — replace when worn | Sand and refinish several times |
| Resale value | Modest | Strong — buyers pay for real wood |
| Best for | Budget, DIY, busy households | Long-term value, resale, character |
Frequently asked questions
- Is laminate cheaper than hardwood?
- Yes — laminate runs $3–$8 per square foot installed versus $6–$18 for hardwood, so it's often about half the price. For a 500 sq ft room, that's roughly $1,500–$4,000 for laminate against $3,000–$9,000 for hardwood.
- Does hardwood add more home value than laminate?
- Yes. Real hardwood is a recognized selling point and recoups a strong share at resale, while laminate is seen as a budget finish. If resale is a priority, hardwood is the stronger investment.
- Which lasts longer?
- Hardwood, by far. It lasts 30–100 years and can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Laminate lasts 15–25 years and must be replaced once the wear layer goes — it can't be refinished.
- Is laminate or hardwood better for water and pets?
- Neither loves water, but laminate handles scratches from pets better day to day. For real moisture resistance, look at luxury vinyl plank; for the look of wood with more stability, engineered hardwood is a middle ground.
How we estimate: ranges are cross-checked against current 2026 industry sources (see our data & methodology). Your actual cost depends on local rates — always get multiple written quotes.
Sources
Cost ranges on this page were checked against current (2026) data from these industry sources:
- Flooring Installation Cost (2026) — HomeGuide
- Laminate Flooring Installation Cost — This Old House
- How Much Should My New Floor Cost? — Angi