For your home, floating floors are recommended when you want to save money, while hardwood floors are preferred when aesthetics and durability are a priority.
Your choice should be based on your needs, preferences and budget.
- In the following article, we present the differences, advantages and limitations between hardwood and floating floors.
With the information you’ll be highlighting in the next few paragraphs, it’ll be easy for you to decide which material to use when building your next floor, guaranteed!
Should you choose floating or hardwood for your floor?
There’s no wrong answer to this question, but you need to evaluate the attributes of each material before deciding on the most appropriate one for your floor construction.
However, if you’re not familiar with the specifics of the construction and renovation business, it can be quite difficult to make an informed choice.
- Luckily, the professionals at Flooring Quotes can answer your many questions about your next flooring choice.
Click on the button below to contact qualified professionals in your area:
Why choose a floating floor for your home?
Floating floors are easy to install, cost-effective to buy and easy to maintain.
Its simplicity is a very attractive incentive for many homeowners. However, it also has its drawbacks.
What are the advantages of floating floors?
Quick installation: Floating floors are very easy to handle and install. You can even install it yourself, without the intervention of a specialized professional.
Cost: In most cases, floating floors are less expensive than hardwood.
Easy maintenance: Floating floors are very easy to clean. All you have to do is sweep or vacuum the floor and it’s as good as new.
What are the disadvantages of floating floors?
Certain sensitivities: Some floating floors may incorporate certain materials that can cause warping over time. You need to check the composition of your parquet tears before making a choice.
A thin material: Floating floors are also fairly thin, and are not installed directly on the surface of your floor. This can make it quite sensitive to impacts and other knocks.
Why should you choose hardwood for your floor?
If you want to prioritize prestige to enhance the aesthetics and value of your home, you can’t go wrong with hardwood.
However, you need to be prepared to invest a substantial amount in materials and installation.
What are the advantages of hardwood flooring?
Unbeatable durability: hardwood is incredibly durable. If you maintain your surface daily, it will last for decades.
Aesthetics and value: One of the greatest attractions of hardwood is its aesthetics. It’s a prestigious product that can enhance the selling value of your home over the years.
What are the disadvantages of hardwood?
Fairly high cost: The cost of purchasing and installing hardwood is fairly high. You need to be able to finance this type of renovation.
Color change: Over the years, your floor can lose its color if it’s exposed to sunlight on a daily basis. A blackout curtain can solve the problem, but it’s important to know!
What are the main differences between hardwood and floating floors?
To begin with, it’s important to know that floating wood is 100% wood, whereas floating floors contain no natural materials at all, since they’re essentially imitation wood printed on an assembly of MDF or HDF (medium- or high-density compressed wood fiber).
In addition to this major difference, there are other features that distinguish the two materials. We present them in the next table.
The striking differences between the two home materials
| Special features | Floating floors | Hardwood floors |
|---|---|---|
| Made of 100% natural wood | ❌ | ✅ |
| Can be installed without outside help | ✅ | ❌ |
| Can be sanded over time | ❌ | ✅ |
| Easy maintenance over the years | ✅ | ❌ |
| Great versatility in shades | ❌ | ✅ |
| An ecological choice | ❌ | ✅ |
| Moisture resistance | ✅ | ❌ |
As you can see, the two options are quite different, but each has its own particularities that may be of interest to many consumer profiles.
What are the prices for hardwood and floating floors?
When it comes to purchasing materials, hardwood flooring costs between $7 and $20 per square foot, while floating floors can range from $2 to around $5 per square foot.
Price differences can be explained by the wide choice of products to suit different budgets.
Even within the same product type, some materials are considered high-end, while other options are more economical.
It’s also important to note that the above prices only take into account the cost of purchasing materials. They do not include installation costs.
What are the costs for materials and installation of hardwood and floating floors?
Still using a basic value per square foot, we can present you with a price that combines the average cost of purchasing and installing both materials. See the next table.
| Floating floors | Hardwood floors | |
|---|---|---|
| The price of materials | Between $2 and $5 | Between $7 and $20 |
| Installation cost | Between $1 and $3 | Between $2.50 and $7 |
| Total cost | Between $3 and $8 | Between $9.50 and $27 |
If you’re self-sufficient when it comes to installation, you could save a pretty penny with floating flooring. If your budget allows, the attributes of hardwood make this a very attractive option.
How much could a complete hardwood and floating floor covering cost?
For a large 200-square-foot surface, a low-end estimate for flooring is around $600 for floating floors and $1, 900 for hardwood.
With the same surface area for top-of-the-range products, the price for a floating floor could rise to $1,600. For hardwood, prices could be around $5,400.
These costs may vary depending on the labour involved in the installation. The next table gives a few more examples.
How much does a complete hardwood or floating floor covering cost?
| Dimensions | Floating floors | Hardwood floors |
|---|---|---|
| 100 square feet | Between $300 and $800 | Between $950 and $2,700 |
| 250 square feet | Between $750 and $2,000 | Between $2375 and $6750 |
| 300 square feet | Between $900 and $2,400 | Between $2,850 and $8,100 |
| 450 square feet | Between $1,350 and $3,600 | Between $4,275 and $12,150 |
Of course, these prices are hypothetical. Many criteria can influence the total cost of your new floating or hardwood floor.
What other costs should you expect for your new floor?
You’ll need to take into account the hourly rate of the labor used for the job, as well as the estimated cost of adding a subfloor under your flooring.
The cost of labor: The investment required for specialized floor installation labor varies according to several factors. However, you can expect an hourly rate of between $25 and $50.
Installing a subfloor: A subfloor is a surface that separates the flooring from the base of the house. Depending on the circumstances, the subfloor limits the effects of heat loss, humidity and noise.
Depending on the materials used, a subfloor can cost between $1.50 and $12 per square foot.
FAQ: What do I need to know about floating floors and hardwood?
Below, we’ve listed the most frequently asked questions about hardwood and floating floors. You may find answers to your own questions in the next few paragraphs!
If you have a pet, should you choose floating floors or hardwood?
Although hardwood is recognized as a very resistant and durable material, it doesn’t hide scratches caused by your pets’ claws very well. If you have a dog, we recommend that you choose a floating floor as your floor covering.
Is it important to acclimatize your flooring before laying it?
Whether you choose hardwood or floating floors, it’s very important to allow your materials to acclimatize.
Before installation, we recommend that you leave your floor in the room where it will be installed, so that it can adapt to humidity levels and temperature changes.
Can you walk on your new floor immediately after installation?
If your surface is pre-varnished, there’s no problem – you can move around on your new floor.
If you have an unvarnished hardwood floor, it’s advisable to wait between 24 and 48 hours before moving on the surface. This is the minimum time required for the glue to set properly between the coating and the floor.
For floating floors, you can move around on your flooring immediately after installation. Of course, it’s advisable not to make too many sudden movements. You need to give the materials time to bond together.
Who should I contact to have a hardwood or floating floor installed?
It’s up to you to choose the right coating for your next floor.
Do you have a limited budget and want to install everything yourself? Then a floating floor is the option for you.
Would you like to increase the value of your home and install flooring that will last for decades? Then hardwood is the right choice for you.
If you haven’t made up your mind yet, you can talk to qualified flooring professionals. The procedure is simple:
- Fill out the form on this page to receive up to 3 quotes from 3 contractors in your area.
No matter what type of cladding you’re building or renovating, you can count on the support and advice of the industry’s leading experts, guaranteed!
