Homeowners are shying away from carpeting and moving toward laminate flooring in their homes because of the look wood gives and because it is easier to keep clean, especially if they have kids and pets. The cost to install laminate flooring can be less than installing a durable carpet and pad. Does this Spark an idea?
Prepare the Floor
The floor must be clean and free from any protrusions. If the floor that you are covering is not level or completely smooth, you might need to put down a subfloor. This can cost between $15 to $30 for one piece. The thickness of the subfloor should be 3/4 inch. The standard material is plywood, which comes in 4 x 8 sheets.
Padding
The padding must be put down before the laminate is installed. This padding cushions the flooring as it is walked on. There are different thicknesses and brand name pads that range in price. Most rolls of padding come in 100, 200, 400 and 500 square foot rolls. Rolls can start at $35 for a 100-foot roll to $250 for a 500-foot roll.
Flooring
The laminate flooring can cost from $1 to $5 per square foot. Some dealers offer specials that can reduce the cost per square foot if you buy over the minimum purchase they set forth.
Woodwork
There are different types of woodwork for around door frames and walls. The price for each type will vary, but you can expect to pay a minimum of $1.99 and as much as $7.95 per foot. The type of floor that you choose will determine the type and color woodwork that you need.
Labor
If you choose to have a professional put in the laminate flooring, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1 to $3 per square foot. This would mean that a 12 x 15 room would cost roughly $180 to $540.
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