What’s the most affordable hardwood flooring?

When you shop for affordable hardwood flooring, you will find engineered hardwood and solid hardwood. Deciding which type to purchase depends on where you plan to install the flooring and a few other factors.

Solid Hardwood

Solid hardwood involves planks cut from a single piece of wood. It tends to shift, expand, and contract as the temperature and humidity in your home change. For this reason, you should only install solid hardwood flooring in rooms at ground level or above on a plywood subfloor. If you love a dramatic grain with beautiful tones, consider Anderson Tuftex Colonial Manor Mixed Width solid hardwood flooring in Mountain Lullaby, starting at $19.29 per square foot installed*.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered wood flooring contains a thin hardwood veneer that they glue to plywood or medium-density fiberboard. This makes it more stable when temperatures and humidity fluctuate. This allows you to install the flooring in a basement or on a concrete slab. One low-cost engineered hardwood option that is less than $9 per square foot installed* is called Clearwater by Shaw Floors. It is 3/8 x 5-inch maple wood, which comes in six finishes, including a natural maple.

Maintenance and Durability

Another benefit of affordable solid hardwood flooring is that the planks' thickness allows the floor to be sanded and refinished several times. This is a must for high-traffic areas, kids, and pets. They manufacture engineered hardwood flooring with a thin veneer that you can typically refinish only once or not at all. One attractive option for engineered hardwood flooring is Shaw Floors Arden Oak in Chocolate, a 3/8 x 3-1/4-inch red oak at $8.39 per square foot installed*.

Prefinished Perfection

Affordable engineered hardwood comes prefinished, so you do not have to deal with the mess of sanding, staining, and applying clear finishes. It is generally ready to go once installed. The surfaces often feature several durable layers of factory-applied clear finish. It stands up to plenty of wear and is often guaranteed for many years to come. Select this Shaw Floors engineered hardwood called Coral Springs in Burnside. 3/8 x 5-inch planks sell for about $8.29 per square foot installed*, offering a limited lifetime warranty.

Vintage Elegance

Capture a timeworn, vintage look with affordable engineered hardwood flooring in a distressed finish with Shaw Floors Acacia in Cocoa. At $8.09 per square foot installed*, acacia wood comes from the Australian native Acacia tree. You can also find these trees in Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa, and parts of America. Each plank features a subtle scraped surface and beveled edges.

Color Selections

Various kinds of wood bring different looks to your rooms. Some wood, such as oak or hickory, showcases pronounced grain patterns. Shaw Floors Hayden Hickory in Honey Glow is an engineered hardwood plank that costs as little as $8.99 per square foot installed*.

Sample First

Before you buy any affordable hardwood flooring, such as Shaw Floors Continental engineered 3/8x6.38-inch heavy scraped hickory in Sterling at $9.29 per square foot installed*, bring home a sample. That way, you can see how the grain and color suit your room. This makes it easier to choose compatible paint colors, fabrics, and such.

 

Hardwood floors are a long-lasting investment in your home. They will last 100 years or more when properly cared for. They do entail some upkeep, but the warmth added to your space will make your house feel homey and welcoming.

If you are still not sold on hardwood, there are plenty of hardwood flooring alternatives. You can achieve comparable results with materials such as laminate, tile, or even vinyl. However, if you are prepared for maintenance and not scared of the initial expense, hardwood flooring is a design choice you will never regret.

* All pricing includes standard installation and must meet minimum install requirements. Ask your Flooring Consultant for details.