Flooring comparisons

Vinyl plank vs laminate. Both are floating floors that mimic wood. Vinyl plank is waterproof and installs at $3–$11 per square foot. Laminate is priced across a wide band — a 1,000-square-foot laminate job runs roughly $4,118–$20,119 all in — and does not handle standing water the same way. In kitchens, baths, laundries and basements, vinyl is the safer pick.

Engineered vs solid hardwood. Engineered runs $8–$14 per square foot installed, solid runs $9–$23. Engineered handles slabs and humidity swings better. Solid can be refinished many times and lasts 50 years or more. If you're flooring a slab-on-grade house, this comparison is already decided for you.

Refinish vs replace. Refinishing runs $3–$8 per square foot, with a national average around $1,200 for a typical job and a usual range of $800–$1,600. New hardwood runs $6–$12 per square foot installed before tear-out and prep. If the existing boards are sound and thick enough, refinishing is the better trade almost every time. A screen-and-recoat, at $1–$2.50 per square foot, is cheaper still when the wear is only in the finish.

Carpet vs hard surface. Carpet averages $7.47 per square foot installed and is warmer and quieter, but it wears visibly and cannot be refreshed. Hard surface costs more up front in most rooms and lasts longer. Bedrooms are the one place where carpet still routinely wins on comfort per dollar.

How to choose

Let the room decide, not the showroom

Moisture and traffic pick the material. Color and finish are the part where taste belongs.

Compare installed costs, never material costs

Tile looks competitive on material and expensive on labor. Vinyl is the reverse. Only the installed number is comparable.

Count the refinishes you'll get

Solid hardwood can be sanded repeatedly. Engineered wood and vinyl cannot. Over 30 years that changes the math more than the purchase price does.

Don't mix too many materials on one level

Every material change needs a transition strip at $10–$40 and creates a trip edge and a dirt line. Fewer transitions look better and cost less.

Screen-and-recoat before you commit to a full sand

At $1–$2.50 per square foot it's the cheapest test of whether your floor really needs anything more.