Flooring Installation Cost: Hardwood vs LVP vs Laminate
New flooring changes how a home looks and feels, and the right choice depends on the room, your budget and how the space is used. This guide compares hardwood, engineered wood, luxury vinyl plank and laminate, explains what affects flooring installation cost in Chicago and helps you choose the best option for each room.
The Short Answer
Which flooring is the best value for a Chicago home? Luxury vinyl plank and laminate are usually the most affordable to buy and install, and LVP is waterproof, which suits kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Engineered hardwood offers real wood at a moderate cost and works well in condos. Solid hardwood costs more but can be refinished many times. Installation cost depends on subfloor condition, removal of old flooring, room layout and trim work.
Comparing the main flooring types
- Solid hardwood: long-lasting and refinishable, best in living areas and bedrooms; not ideal for basements or bathrooms.
- Engineered hardwood: a real wood top layer over a stable core; handles humidity changes better and suits condos and radiant heat.
- Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): waterproof and durable, a strong choice for kitchens, bathrooms, basements and rentals.
- Laminate: affordable and scratch resistant; newer water-resistant lines work in more rooms, but standing water can still damage it.
- Tile: the most water resistant option for bathrooms, entries and laundry rooms.
What affects flooring installation cost
- The flooring material and its grade
- Removal and disposal of old flooring, especially tile or glued-down materials
- Subfloor repair or leveling, which is common in older Chicago homes
- Room shape, closets, stairs and transitions between rooms
- Baseboard and quarter-round removal, replacement and painting
- Underlayment or sound-control requirements in condo buildings
- Moving furniture and appliances
Flooring in Chicago condos
Many Chicago condo associations require sound-reducing underlayment and approval before new hard flooring is installed. Engineered wood and LVP with an approved underlayment are common choices. Check the building rules before choosing a product, and allow time for association approval.
Choosing flooring room by room
- Living rooms and bedrooms: hardwood, engineered wood or quality laminate.
- Kitchens: LVP, engineered wood or tile.
- Bathrooms and laundry rooms: tile or LVP.
- Basements: LVP or tile over a moisture-tested slab.
- Rentals: LVP for durability and easy replacement.
Getting an accurate flooring estimate
Square footage is only the starting point. A walkthrough lets the installer check the subfloor, measure closets and transitions and confirm what needs to be removed. An itemized estimate should list material, removal, subfloor preparation, installation and trim separately.
Learn more about our flooring installation in Chicago or see how new flooring came together in our Wheaton remodel.
Frequently asked questions
LVP is fully waterproof, which makes it better for kitchens, bathrooms and basements. Laminate often has a more realistic wood look and better scratch resistance in dry rooms. Both are affordable options.
Sometimes. Floating floors can go over flat, sound flooring, but uneven, damaged or cushioned floors usually need to be removed first. Door clearances and transitions also need checking.
Most rooms take one to two days. A whole floor may take several days, plus acclimation time for wood products before installation.
Yes. Engineered hardwood has a real wood surface layer, so it looks and feels like solid hardwood, and many products can be lightly refinished.
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