Hardwood vs Luxury Vinyl: Real Cost Per Square Foot Guide [2025]
Flooring costs puzzle many homeowners planning their next renovation project. Recent data shows installation costs ranging from $1,963 to $5,806, depending on material choices and project scope. Hardwood flooring stands as the classic choice, commanding $3 to $10 per square foot, while luxury vinyl offers a budget-friendly alternative at $1.75 to $5.75 per square foot.
Picture this: a typical 550-square-foot project costs around $5,542 for wood flooring installation. Yet these numbers tell only part of the story. Material quality, installation methods, and regional pricing create significant cost variations. Some homeowners save thousands by choosing luxury vinyl, while others gladly pay premium prices for hardwood's timeless appeal.
Ready to discover which flooring option matches your budget and needs? This guide breaks down real costs, hidden expenses, and long-term value considerations for both hardwood and luxury vinyl flooring. Let's help you make the smart choice for your home.
Hardwood vs Luxury Vinyl: Material Cost Breakdown
Want to know the real story behind flooring costs? Let's break down what you'll actually pay for hardwood and luxury vinyl in 2025. These materials might look similar in photos, but their price tags tell a different story.
Hardwood Costs: Premium Investment
Hardwood flooring commands premium prices - expect to pay between CAD 9.75 to CAD 34.83 per square foot with installation. The materials alone run CAD 5.57 to CAD 20.90 per square foot. Why such a wide range? Your choice of wood species makes all the difference.
Popular domestic woods offer the sweet spot between quality and cost:
Oak, maple, and hickory: CAD 9.75 to CAD 16.72 per square foot
Black walnut: Falls in the same reasonable range
Looking for a smart compromise? Engineered hardwood gives you real wood beauty for CAD 5.57 to CAD 16.72 per square foot. These boards use a clever construction - thin hardwood veneer over sturdy plywood or fiberboard.
Ready to splurge? Exotic hardwoods steal the show:
Brazilian cherry and walnut: CAD 20.90 to CAD 27.87 per square foot
Mahogany, zebrawood, ebony: CAD 27.87+ per square foot
African blackwood: Top-tier pricing
Love intricate patterns? Genuine parquet hardwood runs CAD 27.87 to CAD 62.70 per square foot, while faux options cost CAD 9.75 to CAD 20.90 per square foot.
Here's what drives hardwood prices:
Hardness rating (harder woods cost more)
Local availability and shipping costs
Market demand
Plank width (wider boards mean higher prices)
Luxury Vinyl: Budget-Friendly Alternative
Luxury vinyl offers serious savings, typically costing CAD 2.79 to CAD 11.15 per square foot. Let's explore what you get at each price point:
Budget Friendly (CAD 2.09 to CAD 4.88 per square foot)
Basic patterns and textures
6-12 mil wear layer
Perfect for light-traffic areas
Sheet vinyl option: CAD 2.09 to CAD 4.18 per square foot
Mid-Range Sweet Spot (CAD 4.88 to CAD 9.75 per square foot)
Realistic wood looks
12-20 mil wear layer
Better warranties
Water-resistant construction
Check out Liberty Home's UltraDefend collection at CAD 5.57 per square foot - great features like built-in underlayment and pet-friendly surfaces. Newton LVP offers similar quality between CAD 5.57 and CAD 8.33 per square foot.
Premium Performance (CAD 9.75 to CAD 13.93+ per square foot)
Ultra-realistic visuals
20+ mil wear layer
25+ year warranties
Commercial-grade durability
Canopy floors exemplify premium luxury vinyl, priced CAD 10.44 to CAD 13.92 per square foot.
Hidden Costs You Can't Ignore
The price tag only tells half the story. Smart shoppers consider these extras:
Subfloor Prep Both materials need smooth, level subfloors. Hardwood gets picky - joist repairs can add CAD 1,254.02 to CAD 4,180.08 to your budget.
Removal Costs Ripping out old flooring? Budget CAD 209.00 to CAD 348.34 for professional removal. Adhesive floors cost even more to remove.
Finishing Touches Hardwood might need:
Initial finishing: CAD 2.79 to CAD 9.75 per square foot
Regular refinishing: CAD 4.18 to CAD 11.15 per square foot
Luxury vinyl? It's ready to go right out of the box.
Extra Materials Don't forget:
Underlayment (often built into luxury vinyl)
Moisture barriers (essential for hardwood)
Installation tools (especially for DIY hardwood)
Long-Term Value Hardwood typically boosts home value more than luxury vinyl. But luxury vinyl wins on maintenance - no refinishing needed.
The bottom line? Your perfect flooring choice depends on budget, lifestyle, and long-term plans. Hardwood offers timeless appeal and potential value appreciation, while luxury vinyl delivers practical benefits and lower maintenance costs.
Installation Expenses That Impact Your Total Flooring Price
Ever wondered why installation quotes vary so dramatically? The price tag on your flooring tells only part of the story. Let's uncover the real costs behind professional and DIY installation - you might be surprised at what you discover.
Think of installation costs like an iceberg - what you see upfront barely hints at what lies beneath. Professional installation brings expertise but carries a hefty price tag. DIY promises savings but demands time, tools, and plenty of patience. Which path makes more sense for your project?
Professional Installation: Worth the Investment?
Professional hardwood installation runs CAD 5.57 to CAD 13.93 per square foot . Why so steep? These craftsmen bring years of experience handling tricky details like:
Perfect plank alignment
Proper expansion gaps
Seamless transitions between rooms
Expert pattern matching
Luxury vinyl installation costs less, typically CAD 2.79 to CAD 8.36 per square foot . The simpler installation process means lower labor costs, but don't mistake simplicity for lack of skill.
Here's what shapes your professional installation quote:
Room complexity and size
Subfloor condition
Pattern choices
Geographic location
Contractor demand
A standard 200 square foot room? Expect these ranges:
Luxury vinyl: CAD 1,114.69 to CAD 3,344.06
Hardwood: CAD 2,508.04 to CAD 6,697.44
DIY Dreams vs Reality
Thinking about tackling installation yourself? Let's get real about what that means.
Luxury vinyl welcomes DIY warriors:
Click-lock systems make assembly straightforward
Basic tools get the job done
Weekend warriors can handle most rooms
Potential savings: CAD 536.44 to CAD 1,511.79 per room
Hardwood demands more respect:
Specialized tools required (nail guns aren't cheap!)
Proper subfloor prep crucial
Mistakes cost big money
Potential savings: CAD 836.01 to CAD 1,820.68 (if everything goes perfectly)
Smart tip: Winter months often bring installation discounts - some contractors offer 10-15% off during slow seasons .
Remember this golden rule: Professional installation might cost more upfront, but proper installation extends your floor's life by years. Sometimes the most expensive route proves cheapest in the long run.
Installation Expenses That Impact Your Total Flooring Price
Professional flooring installers see it all the time - homeowners focus on material costs but forget about installation expenses. Let's pull back the curtain on what really drives your total flooring investment.
Professional Installation: The Skills Behind the Price
Hardwood installation demands serious expertise, reflected in prices from CAD 5.57 to CAD 13.93 per square foot. Why such high rates? These craftsmen bring years of experience working with tongue-and-groove planks that need precise gluing, stapling, or nailing to your subfloor.
Your final bill depends on several key factors:
Pattern Complexity: Love those fancy herringbone designs? They'll add 20-30% to your labor costs. Beautiful, but not budget-friendly.
Subfloor Surprises: Uneven or damaged subfloors need fixing first. These repairs can add CAD 1.39 to CAD 4.18 per square foot.
Location Matters: City installations typically cost more than rural projects. Simple supply and demand at work.
Luxury vinyl tells a different story. Installation runs CAD 2.79 to CAD 8.36 per square foot - significantly cheaper than hardwood. For luxury vinyl planks, expect CAD 2.79 to CAD 6.97 per square foot.
Why the price break? Click-lock vinyl designs make installation straightforward. Less complexity means lower costs.
Professional labor rates break down like this:
Hourly charges: CAD 41.80 to CAD 69.67
Installation by type:
Vinyl plank: CAD 2.79 to CAD 6.97 per square foot
Sheet vinyl: CAD 2.09 to CAD 5.57 per square foot
Luxury vinyl: CAD 2.79 to CAD 8.36 per square foot
Composite tile: CAD 2.79 to CAD 6.97 per square foot
Here's what most quotes won't tell you upfront: Removing old flooring costs extra. Carpet removal? That's another CAD 209.00 to CAD 348.34.
Watch for these hidden costs:
Moving furniture and appliances
Baseboard work
Transition strips between rooms
Working around awkward spaces
Switching from carpet to hard flooring? Expect extra prep work.
For a 200 square foot room, here's your likely total:
Luxury vinyl: CAD 1,114.69 to CAD 3,344.06
Hardwood: CAD 2,508.04 to CAD 6,697.44
DIY Installation: Dream or Nightmare?
Thinking about DIY? Let's get real about what you're facing.
Luxury vinyl welcomes DIYers with open arms. Click-lock planks make perfect sense for handy homeowners. You've got options:
Peel-and-stick: Beginner-friendly
Glue-down: Trickier but super stable
Click-together: Most popular for good reason
"All three methods suit novices and work on any rigid, level subfloor". Music to DIY ears!
Cost breakdown for DIY vinyl:
Materials: CAD 2.09 to CAD 4.88 per square foot
Basic tools: CAD 100-300
200 sq. ft. room total: CAD 717.58 to CAD 2,946.96
Peel-and-stick can drop costs to CAD 2.09 per square foot - tempting for budget projects.
DIY vinyl pros:
Major cost savings
Work at your pace
Simple techniques
But watch out for:
Weekend-eating projects
Learning curve headaches
Extra waste (5-7% typical)
Warranty worries
Hardwood DIY? That's a different animal entirely. Solid wood demands serious skills and specialized installation methods.
Your best DIY hardwood bets:
Click-lock engineered wood
Snap-together systems
Perfect subfloors only
"Installing a floor is hard work so it will be stressful too". And mistakes? They're expensive. "Doing it wrong can result in you having to discard everything and start over".
The tool list alone might scare you:
Flooring nailers
Air compressor
Specialty saws
Moisture meters
Installation kits
These tools aren't cheap. Small projects rarely justify the investment.
Smart homeowners ask themselves:
"Can I really handle this?"
Is the project big enough to justify tool costs?
Do I understand proper installation techniques?
Can I spare several days of work?
Most experts suggest: "When considering your options, go with a material that can be installed fairly easily". Translation? DIY vinyl, professional hardwood.
Here's solid advice: "If your subfloor looks good, try vinyl DIY. Otherwise, hire a pro". For hardwood, professionals usually make sense. "Higher upfront costs save repair expenses later".
Cost-benefit breakdown:
Luxury Vinyl:
DIY Pros: Save CAD 2.79 to CAD 8.36 per square foot; beginner-friendly
DIY Cons: Time-consuming; potential mistakes
Pro Pros: Perfect results; quick completion
Pro Cons: Higher initial cost
200 square foot project comparison:
ApproachLuxury VinylHardwoodProfessionalCAD 1,254.02–4,458.75CAD 2,508.04–6,697.44DIYCAD 717.58–2,946.96CAD 1,672.03–4,876.76Potential SavingsCAD 536.44–1,511.79CAD 836.01–1,820.68
Money-saving tips:
Book winter installations for 10-15% off
Fix subfloor issues early
Bundle rooms for better rates
Think long-term: "Professional installation extends floor life"
