Hardwood Flooring Cost: Solid vs Engineered (2026)
Updated
Hardwood flooring costs about $6 to $15 per square foot installed for solid wood, and $5 to $13 for engineered wood. Wood species, plank width, and finish drive the price. A 300 sq ft room typically costs $1,800 to $4,500 installed.
Hardwood is the flooring buyers love most — warm, timeless, and value-adding. But it's also one of the pricier options, and "hardwood" covers everything from budget oak to premium exotic species and engineered planks.
This guide breaks down hardwood flooring costs in 2026 by type and species, compares solid to engineered wood, and shows how to estimate your room.
Key takeaways
- Solid hardwood: $6–$15/ft² installed; engineered: $5–$13.
- Oak and maple are affordable; walnut and exotics cost more.
- Engineered wood is more stable and works over concrete/basements.
- Solid wood can be refinished many times over decades.
- A 300 ft² room runs roughly $1,800–$4,500 installed.
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Solid vs engineered hardwood
| Factor | Solid hardwood | Engineered wood |
|---|---|---|
| Cost installed | $6 – $15/ft² | $5 – $13/ft² |
| Refinishing | Many times | 1–2 times |
| Moisture/basement | No | Yes |
| Lifespan | 30–100 yrs | 20–40 yrs |
Cost by wood species
| Species | Material per ft² | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Red oak | $3 – $6 | Affordable classic |
| Maple | $4 – $8 | Hard, light tone |
| Hickory | $4 – $9 | Very durable |
| Walnut | $6 – $12 | Premium dark wood |
| Exotic (Brazilian) | $8 – $15 | Hardest, priciest |
What affects installation cost
- Plank width — wide planks cost more.
- Finish — prefinished vs site-finished.
- Subfloor prep and old-floor removal.
- Install method — nail-down, glue, or float.
- Stairs and intricate layouts add labor.
Estimating your hardwood project
Measure the room, add 10% for waste, and multiply by the installed price per square foot. Our flooring calculator returns the square footage, boxes, and a cost estimate instantly.