Wooden flooring is very popular and rates as an excellent home improvement option that can add style and value to any home.
Wooden flooring is considerably more durable, stylish and desirable than carpet or other types of flooring.
It has a luxurious feel and style that works withmodern, contemporary, traditional, and period properties, and there are many choices of colours and styles on offer.
This article will cover the cost of wooden flooring in the UK, factors that affect the cost and other common questions surrounding installing wooden flooring.
Average Cost of Wooden Flooring
The cost of wooden flooring is divided into two distinct parts: supply and labor.
It’s certainly possible to lay one’s own wooden flooring, especially vinyl or laminate, but this is only recommended for simple installations for those with high DIY experience.
Flooring costs usually come down the more you buy, reducing the relative costs of big projects.
By collecting quotes from 6 installers, 5 suppliers and 7 secondary sources, we discovered the following average costs of wooden flooring:
Supply Costs
| Type of Flooring | Per m2 | Medium 5 x 5m Room | Large 5 x 10m Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| Underlay | £5 to £10/m2 | £125 to £200 | £250 to £400 |
| Vinyl | £10 to £25/m2 | £250 to £600 | £500 to £1,150 |
| Laminate | £15 to £30/m2 | £350 to £700 | £700 to £1,350 |
| Engineered Hardwood | £30 to £60/m2 | £650 to £1,400 | £1,350 to £2,500 |
| Solid Hardwood | £50 to £75/m2 | £1,250 to £1,750 | £2,500 to £3,400 |
| Parquet | £50 to £75/m2 | £1,250 to £1,750 | £2,500 to £3,400 |
Labour Costs
Labour costs for installing wooden flooring start at around £15 to £20/m² on average, but most fitters charge per day or per project.
They’ll undertake a site inspection to work out what preparation works are needed, which might include checking moisture, levelling the floor and removing old carpet or tiles. Day rates vary from £150 to £300, and most installations will take at least two days.
Parquet and hardwood flooring cost more. Parquet is easily the most expensive wooden flooring type to install with costs ranging well above the £50/m² mark.
Labour Costs Per m²
| Vinyl, Laminate and Engineered Hardwood | Solid Hardwood | Parquet Flooring | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation Cost Per m2 | £15 to £20 | £15 to £25 | £40 to £50+ |
Day Rates for Labour Costs
| Single Day | Single Room (5m x 5m) | Two Rooms (5m x 10m) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost Per Day | £150 to £300 | £300 to £600 | £600 to £1,000 |
Total Cost Per Project
Taking the above costs into account, the approximate costs of supplying and installing wooden flooring for medium and large rooms with underlay is as follows:
| Type of Flooring | Medium Room (5m x 5m) | Large Room/Two Rooms (5m x 10m) |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | £550 to £1,200 | £1,400 to £2,200 |
| Laminate | £650 to £1,200 | £1,000 to £2,250 |
| Engineered Hardwood | £1,100 to £1,800 | £2,300 to £3,500 |
| Solid Hardwood | £1,500 to £2,250 | £2,800 to £4,500 |
| Parquet | £1,850 to £2,750+ | £3,250 to £6,000+ |
Factors Affecting The Cost of Wooden Flooring
The main factor affecting the cost of wooden flooring is the flooring type. Lower-end options like vinyl (which isn’t actually wood) and laminate (wood with synthetic additives) are the cheapest.
Engineered hardwood and solid hardwood are more expensive. It’s tough to group ‘solid hardwood’ as one thing, as there are at least ten different options here, ranging from pine and maple to mahogany and oak. Some cost considerably more than others.
Then, there’s preparation work. The old floor must be removed, which can be complex if it’s tiled, as these will need to be dug up.
- Removing old carpet or flooring is usually included in a standard quote, but removing tiles might cost over £250 for an average room.
The floor is prepared and modified if required, e.g. by levelling or installing a new subfloor. This can come at considerable extra cost.
- Leveling the floor might cost around £300 or more for an average room.
Skirting and beading have to be removed to prepare the new floor. Of course, the room has to be cleared also. When the area and floor are fully prepared, new underlay is fitted prior to flooring installation. Skirting and beading are installed at the end.
- Skirting board replacement costs around £250 for an average room, which is usually included in a standard quote (though prices vary between different types of skirting).
Is Wooden Flooring Worth it?
Wooden flooring is undoubtedly desirable. Many high-end modern, traditional, and period properties are now fitted with wood flooring as standard.
Carpet is generally becoming less common, and though other types of flooring are available, such as tile, wooden flooring is generally the most popular alternative.
The issue with carpet is that it’s harder to clean and wears faster than wooden flooring. While carpet is insulating, wooden floors can always be covered with mats in living rooms, bedrooms, etc.
Overall, wooden flooring is an excellent investment that boosts both style and functionality. By installing wooden floors, you’ll also increase home value and sellability.
Some benefits of wooden flooring are as follows:
- Wooden flooring looks great.
- By installing wooden flooring, you’ll effectively boost home value.
- In the long run, wooden flooring is easier to maintain than carpet and requires less maintenance.
- Wooden flooring is more hygienic than carpet.
- Wood is less susceptible to allergens and is a better choice for allergy sufferers or asthmatics.
- Cleaning and vacuuming wood and laminates is much easier than carpet, especially when pet hair is involved.
Different Types of Wooden Flooring
There are many different types of wooden flooring. The main five types are:
Vinyl Wood Flooring
Vinyl wood flooring is not actually made from wood. Instead, it’s a plastic composite engineered to look and feel like wood.
The top of vinyl wood flooring is printed with a wood effect that simulates real wood. It’s worth including here as it’s designed to resemble wooden flooring.
While vinyl is a synthetic material, it still looks luxurious and is extremely hard-wearing and fully waterproof. This makes it ideal for bathrooms and other moisture-dense areas.
- Not made from wood
- Synthetic material printed with wood-effect grains
- Hardwearing and waterproof
- Cheaper option at around £10 to £25/m²
Laminate Wood Flooring
Laminate wood flooring contains some wood and some synthetic material. It’s formed from layers that are pressed together.
Overall, it’s more similar to vinyl than genuine hardwood, as the top of laminate flooring is printed with wood-effect grains.
Laminate wood flooring is hard-wearing but isn’t 100% waterproof like vinyl. It’s softer and more natural than vinyl but doesn’t quite deliver the same level of durability.
- Partly made from wood
- Largely synthetic material printed with wood-effect grains
- Softer and more natural than vinyl, at the sacrifice of some waterproofness and durability
- Cheaper option at around £15 to £30/m2
Engineered Hardwood Flooring
Now we’re getting onto real wood flooring. Engineered hardwood flooring uses manufacturing processes to engineer a favourable material for flooring without sacrificing that genuine wood look and feel.
It’s stable to humidity and moisture like vinyl and laminate, but it looks the part and feels high-end.
For modern high-end wooden flooring installations, engineered hardwood is an excellent choice that is considerably more flexible than solid hardwood.
- Engineered wood, blending natural hardwood with synthetic compounds to improve durability
- Strong and durable like laminate but with the benefits of genuine hardwood
- Comes in many different forms and styles
- More expensive option at around £30 to £75/m²
Solid Hardwood Flooring
If you’re looking for 100% genuine, authentic wood, solid hardwood is the only option. Solid hardwood comes in many forms, such as:
- Maple
- Oak
- Bamboo
- Walnut
- Hickory
- Reclaimed
- Pine
- Mahogany
- Exotic hardwoods
Different hardwoods are suitable for different applications. For example, most can’t be used for toilets or bathrooms, others can’t be used for staircases, etc.
Fitting genuine hardwood floors is a specialist job and is among the most expensive options when it comes to wooden flooring.
- Authentic wooden flooring
- Many different styles and wood types available
- Looks and feels great
- More expensive option at £50 to £75/m² or more
Parquet Flooring
Parquet flooring is more of a style than a flooring type. Parquet involves laying any of the above woods in geometric and ornate patterns. It’s a high-end flooring option that looks excellent if a little unusual depending on the space. Parquet should be laid by specialists with experience in the style.
- Flooring style, not a flooring material/type
- Involves laying flooring in geometric or ornate patterns
- Can use most types of wood
- More expensive option at £50 to £75/m²
How To Choose Wooden Flooring
With so many options available, it’s quite tricky to pick the right wooden flooring for you.
Budget
In short, vinyl and laminate are excellent these days and look good while providing affordability and style. They’re hard to beat for most installations where budget is important.
Also, with tons of styles on offer, you can easily find a colour and style that suits your home.
Style
Real, solid hardwood has superior aesthetic qualities which suit many homes.
They’re also very hardwearing but require more maintenance. You can sand, refinish and repair solid hardwood with ease, so while it isn’t the most durable, it’s definitely some of the most long-lasting.
Engineered hardwood also boasts excellent aesthetic properties, and there are at least as many styles available (if not more).
Durability
Engineered hardwood usually holds the aces regarding durability, especially where waterproofness, heat and humidity are concerned.
Engineered hardwood is more environmentally stable than other options. Laminate and vinyl flooring are also very durable.
Is My House Suitable For Wooden Flooring?
Wooden flooring is only recommended when:
- The home is sealed from the outside and humidity is stable.
- Heating works.
- Moisture levels in the subfloor and interior are stable and dry.
Wooden flooring can be laid over wooden or concrete floors. The underlay will likely need to be removed and re-laid. Some fitters, like Wickes, won’t guarantee the floor unless the underlay is purchased and installed simultaneously.
How to Choose a Wooden Flooring Installer
You can find wooden flooring installers across the entire UK, and there are plenty of choices.
Moreover, major DIY brands like Wickes offer their own installation services. The options become a little more limited when it comes to unusual hardwood flooring and parquet.
Overall, look for an installer with a proven track record and portfolio of successful work. If your project is complex, e.g. installing hardwood onto an uneven or concrete floor, then look for an installer with specific knowledge.
Installers will inspect the area and help you with your options. Before installation, it’s wise to clear the area and move furniture, as installers will only add this to the total cost.
Get Prices on Wooden Flooring Near You
We’ve done our best to give you a good idea of what you can expect to pay for wooden flooring.
However, our guides are not a substitute for a fixed quote specifically for you.
We work with all the best surveyors ready to price your job. Get free, no-obligation quotes in your local area and compare prices using the form below.
- Compare Multiple Quotes & Save Up to 40%
- Certified & Vetted Flooring Installers
- Free & No Obligation
- Local Wooden Flooring Experts Near You
Summary
Wooden flooring comes in many forms and styles. Data suggests that upgrading a home with wooden flooring is an excellent way to boost its value while improving style and aesthetics.
The average cost of wooden flooring is as low as £500 for a small room, but prices closer to or above £1,000 are more likely for even the cheaper styles. That’s very good value, though, considering that flooring is one of a room’s most important components.
For higher-end hardwood installations, expect to pay more than £2,000 or so for most installations. Prices rise exponentially with specialist flooring styles (e.g. parquet) or exotic hardwoods.