Are you looking for quality and long-lasting wood flooring? Do you know the cost of installing a new hardwood floor? Are you looking to install the hardwood by yourself?
We’ll answer all these questions and more in this article. We’re sure you’re already familiar with hardwood flooring and its properties. However, before you go ahead with the flooring, you need to know the installation cost.
Typically, before installation, hardwood floor costs range from $5 to $30 per sq ft. However, this cost doesn’t necessarily include delivery and labor costs. Other factors, like the wood’s finishing, can affect the hardwood’s price.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the installation cost of hardwood flooring in Ontario. We’ll also discuss several factors contributing to the hardwood installation cost.
Average Installation Cost of Hardwood Floors
You can find different kinds of hardwood floors on the market. However, it’s essential not to assume that all hardwood floors are identical. Depending on the brand and type of hardwood, the prices will fluctuate.
The standard pricing for new hardwood floors ranges from $5 to $15 per sq ft. Although, the installation cost can increase if the subfloor requires levelling. It’s essential to pay attention to these little details before installing the hardwood.
Cost of Installing Exotic Hardwood Floors
You need to know that the average cost of installing new hardwood floors doesn’t apply to exotic hardwood. Exotic hardwoods are more expensive than traditional hardwoods.
You need to know how much installing a hardwood floor from an exotic tree will cost. For example, exotic hardwood can cost about $40 per sq ft. The exotic hardwoods are hewn from tropical regions and come in vibrant colors.
Examples of these exotic hardwoods are:
- Cypress
- Cherry
- Hard Maple
- Ash
- Cottonwood
- Alder
These exotic trees grow in distant locations around the globe, which adds to their higher costs. Some of these regions are Southeast Asia and Australia.
Aside from the cost of the exotic wood, the hardwood floor installation cost is also higher. These exotic hardwoods are denser than the traditional hardwoods you’ll find in Canada. Hence, the bodies of these exotic hardwoods are more rigid on the blade of the installer.
Often, the installer would need to use a special saw blade to cut through these exotic planks. The effect of using a special knife will increase the cost of installation.
Related Article: What are the Best Materials for Hardwood Floors?
Factors Affecting the Cost of Installing Hardwood Floors
The national average cost to install hardwood flooring for a 200-square-foot room ranges from $2,800 to $6,400. So, let’s look at the factors affecting the cost of installing new hardwood floors.
Considering these factors beforehand, you’ll be able to plan your installation budget adequately.
The Layout of the House
Before buying a new pair of shoes, you’ll need to ensure they fit your feet. The same logic applies to the installation pricing of new hardwood floors. You’ll need to measure your floor dimensions.
A rectangular room layout makes for a more straightforward installation process. However, a complex layout with bends and sharp corners presents a more challenging installation. Therefore, the latter would cost more.
Finishing of the Hardwood Floor
When installing hardwood flooring, you can pick prefinished or unfinished hardwood. You can purchase prefinished hardwood flooring in Ontario. That means you’ll be getting hardwood that has been stained and coated.
Including these finishes adds an extra $5 to $7 to the overall cost of the hardwood. However, you’ll be spending less on the installation due to the lack of need to stain and coat the hardwood.
On the other hand, an unfinished hardwood features no staining or coating from the factory. You’ll have to finish the hardwood by yourself. Therefore, the cost of finishing will factor in during installation. The added expense can go from $4 to $8 per sq ft.
Hardwood Flooring Materials
Another important factor affecting how much installing a hardwood floor will cost is the materials. You need to understand that the type of material matters aside from the tree species.
You can also choose between solid or engineered hardwood flooring. The former costs more to install due to the pure natural state of the hardwood. In contrast, engineered wood is more budget-friendly, starting from $2 upwards.
Furthermore, we advise you to purchase an additional 10% of your hardwood’s total square footage. There’s bound to be waste during installation. So, the extra 10% will make up for that waste.
DIY or Professional Help
Thanos once said, “Fine; I’ll do it myself.” At times, if you want the best results, it’s better to do things yourself. When you install hardwood flooring by yourself, you can save up between $50 to $100.
However, installing hardwood yourself is time-consuming, especially if you have little to no experience.
On the flip side, hiring professional installers can add $3 to $5 per sq ft. The installation cost can reach an additional $100 if the installer deals with exotic hardwood. However, hiring a professional installer will save you time and energy.
The Cost of Installing Various Types of Hardwood at a Glance
Here’s a brief breakdown of the cost of installing hardwood floors at a glance. You can go through this list to get a general idea of the cost of installing different hardwood types.
| Hardwood Type | Cost of Installation |
| Engineered wood flooring | 3 to 9 ($ per sq ft) |
| Solid hardwood flooring | 4 to 10 ($ per sq ft) |
| Medium tier hardwood flooring | 9 to 16 ($ per sq ft) |
| Exotic hardwood | 20 upwards ($ per sq ft) |
| Budget hardwood | 2 to 5 ($ per sq ft) |
| 500 sq ft of solid hardwood | 2,000 to 6,000 |
| 1,500 sq ft of solid hardwood | 5,000 to 30,000 |
| Total price for engineered hardwood | 4,800 |
| Total price for solid hardwood | 3,500 |
| Concrete subfloor | 1,500 |
Related Article: How Much Does It Cost to Install Engineered Hardwood Floor?
Final Thoughts
The cost of installing new hardwood floors depends on some of the abovementioned factors. Depending on the type of hardwood species, you may spend up to $3,000 on a new hardwood floor.
The key is getting value for any money you spend to buy new hardwood floors. LV Flooring offers beautiful top-quality hardwood flooring at competitive prices.
Look through our online catalogue today.
