Compare flooring materials
Choosing flooring is mostly about trade-offs: how it looks, how it handles water, how much wear it can take, and what it will really cost installed. This page gives a simple side-by-side starting point.
Solid hardwood gives a warm, timeless, long-lasting floor you can refinish for decades.
Engineered wood is real wood over a stable core — a great fit for more rooms than solid hardwood.
Laminate is a budget-friendly, scratch-resistant floor that mimics wood or stone.
Luxury vinyl plank is waterproof, durable, and one of the most popular floors in US homes.
Tile is durable and water-resistant, ideal for kitchens, baths, and entries.
Carpet is soft, warm, and quiet underfoot — great for bedrooms and stairs.
Bamboo is a hard, renewable, wood-like floor.
Cork is soft, warm, quiet, and renewable.
Polished concrete is a durable, modern, low-maintenance floor — common in basements and open-plan homes.
Natural stone is a premium, long-lasting floor with real character.
Honest cost-per-square-foot ranges
Real numbers depend on the material, your subfloor, your area, and the size of the job. These are typical installed ranges, not quotes.
| Material | Installed, per sq ft |
|---|---|
| Carpet | $3–$8 |
| Laminate | $3–$9 |
| Luxury vinyl plank | $4–$12 |
| Tile | $7–$20 |
| Engineered wood | $6–$16 |
| Hardwood | $8–$22 |
Common questions
What flooring is best if I have kids and pets?
Many homeowners start by comparing LVP, laminate, tile, and some harder wood options. The best choice depends on scratches, spills, noise, comfort, and the room itself, so there is no one right answer for every home.
Is luxury vinyl plank cheaper than hardwood?
Usually yes, at least on installed cost per square foot. But the real total depends on the product quality, subfloor condition, room shape, and local labor rates, so treat ranges as a starting point, not a quote.
Can I put hardwood in a kitchen or bathroom?
Some homeowners use hardwood in kitchens, but regular moisture and spills make it a more cautious choice. Bathrooms are usually a weaker fit for hardwood because standing water and humidity can damage it over time.
Why do flooring quotes vary so much?
The biggest reasons are material quality, labor rates, room complexity, old floor removal, and subfloor prep. Two quotes that sound similar can be very different if one includes leveling, trim, or moisture work and the other does not.
Does PlankPath install flooring?
No. PlankPath is a free matching service that helps homeowners connect with licensed, insured flooring contractors near them. We do not perform flooring work or sell materials.
Planning a flooring project?
Compare materials and honest costs first. Then get matched, free, with a licensed flooring contractor near you. You compare quotes and choose who to hire — and you confirm everything in writing before any work starts.