Oak flooring is one of the best and most high-quality types of hardwood floors you can find on the market.
The cost of oak flooring can vary depending on the quality of the wood, the company you purchase from, and the type of oak flooring you select.
There are many other things to consider when installing new hardwood floors, from removing the old floors to picking out the best oak floors for your home.
Oak Flooring Average Cost
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The average cost of installing most types of hardwood floors is $2.85 to $9.50 per square foot for materials and $2.85 to $7.60 for labor.
This amounts to $5.70 to $17.10 per square foot for the entire hardwood floor installation project.
The national average cost of hardwood floor installation goes from $2,375 to $6,935.
Oak hardwood flooring is a little different.
If you want to install oak flooring in your home, the total installation cost amounts to $2.85 to $6.65 per square foot. However, this price doesn’t cover the cost of labor.
If we were to add the material expenses to the cost of labor, oak flooring installation would cost $10.45 to $17.10 per square foot.
| Oak Flooring | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Materials | $2.85-$6.65 |
| Cost of Labor | $7.60-$10.45 |
| Cost per Square Foot | $10.45-$17.10 |
Many factors can affect the total cost of installing oak flooring in your home.
For example, the type of oak flooring, the space size, the wood grade, color, and width, can all influence the total oak floor installation cost.
Pro Tip: There is another way to calculate the cost of hardwood flooring. What you need to do is take 5% to 10% of the square footage of the room or house and add it to the original square footage. For example, if you want to install oak hardwood floors in a 400-square-foot space, 10% of 400 is 40, which adds to 440. Multiply this number by the price per square foot of oak flooring, and you’ll get the estimated total price. However, this method is best used for a low-end estimated cost.
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What Are The Different Types Of Oak Flooring?
Before you install oak flooring in your house, you need to be introduced to all the different types of oak flooring and their price ranges.
Not all oak flooring is made equal.
For example, you can choose between engineered and solid oak flooring. Or you can find white oak and red oak flooring in home improvement stores.
| Oak Flooring | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Solid Oak Installation | $7.60-$15.20 |
| Engineered Oak Installation | $2.85-$14.25 |
| Red Oak Installation | $2.85-$9.50 |
| White Oak Installation | $3.80-$6.65 |
| Wide Plank Oak Installation | $4.50-$17.10 |
Unfinished Oak Flooring Cost
When selecting oak flooring for your home, unfinished and prefinished ones are usually available.
Since unfinished oak flooring needs to be finished on the premises, the entire installation process will cost more in the end.
To be more specific, finishing the unfinished oak flooring adds $2.85 to $4.75 per square foot to the entire cost.
Homeowners choose unfinished oak flooring because they can have a custom stain.
If you’re on a budget, we advise you to buy prefinished hardwood flooring, which is stained and sealed before the installation.
What’s also great about prefinished hardwood flooring is that it comes in any hardwood, including oak.
Engineered Oak Flooring Cost
Engineered flooring is more affordable than solid hardwood flooring.
As opposed to solid hardwood flooring, which is, as its name suggests, a solid plank of wood, engineered wood flooring is made from two fused layers of wood. The first layer is plywood, and the second is veneer, a thin layer of solid wood.
Engineered oak flooring costs $2.85 to $14.25 per square foot, whereas solid oak flooring costs $7.60 to $15.20 per square foot.
The main difference between engineered and solid hardwood flooring is that the latter can be refinished more often.
Red Oak Flooring Cost
Red oak has a dark pink or reddish-brown hue, and its grain pattern is more pronounced.
Thanks to its warmer subtones, red oak floors help create a more welcoming atmosphere.
Red oak flooring has a hardness of 1,290 lbs, which makes it strong and resilient. It’s also the industry standard.
Red oak is slightly more affordable than white oak, with a total price of $10.45 to $12.83 per square foot. Note that the cost of labor is included in these prices.
The red oak materials alone cost $2.85 to $9.5 per square foot of coverage.
Did you know? Red oak is more affordable than white oak, even though it’s stronger and lighter in color. This is because red oak is more readily available in the U.S. than white oak.
Wide Plank Oak Flooring Cost
While narrow oak planks are typically 3 inches, wider models are 6, 8, and 10 inches in width.
Many homeowners prefer wide plank oak flooring because it can make a room appear bigger. However, if the planks are too wide, it might have the opposite effect.
Wide plank oak flooring comes in prices from $4.50 to $17.10 per square foot, including labor costs.
Since wide planks take less time to install and take up more space, you’ll end up paying less for the materials and the cost of labor.
White Oak Flooring Cost
White oak is beige, and it has brown and yellow undertones.
Despite its name, white oak is actually darker than red oak.
White oak floors have a hardness of 1,630 lbs, making it slightly less durable than red oak.
White oak is also more susceptible to scratches and dents compared to red oak.
A square foot of natural-finish white oak costs between $11.40 and $13.77. These prices account for the materials and the cost of labor.
If you install white oak flooring yourself, you can expect to pay $3.80 to $6.65 for the materials.
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How Much Does The Installation Of Oak Flooring Cost?
There are a few different ways to install oak flooring, including floating, glue-down, and nail-down installations.
Glue-down and nail-down installations cost $2.85 to $7.60 per square foot. The only difference is whether the oak boards will be glued or nailed to the subfloor.
Floating hardwood floor installation costs less than the previous two options.
Floating oak flooring require using click-together floor boards that “float” on top of the subfloor.
Keep in mind that floating installation can only be used for engineered oak flooring. So, if you want floating solid hardwood floors, unfortunately, you won’t be able to find this option.
Professional installation is usually charged by the hour, though some contractors charge per project. In any case, you can ask for a free in-home estimate to find out how much the entire project will cost.
Keep in mind that your old floors need to be removed, which will add to the total cost.
Other installation expenses include equipment and material delivery, costs to protect existing structures, labor setup time, removing or relocating existing framing, and so on.
Hardwood Flooring Installation: DIY vs Hiring A Professional
The great thing about oak flooring is that you can install it yourself if you have some DIY skills.
The installation process will be much easier if you order prefinished oak floors. Not to mention that you’ll be able to save at least a few thousand dollars.
Pro Tip: If you order oak flooring in bulk from home improvement stores, like Home Depot and Lowe’s, you’ll receive a lower price.
That being said, if you have the budget, you can hire contractors to install the oak flooring professionally.
Similarly, if you have no experience installing hardwood floors or other types of floors, it’s better to leave it to a professional. That way, the project will be completed much faster, and no doubt, it will look better.
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How Much Does It Cost To Install 1,000-Square-Foot Hardwood Floors?
Homeowners with 1,000 square feet of the house would need to pay $5,700 to $17,100 to install hardwood floors.
If you want to install oak hardwood floors in a 1,000-square-foot home, you can expect to pay between $10,450 and $17,100 for the entire installation.
Depending on whether you will get the hardwood floors installed by professionals or by yourself, you’ll have to pay $2,850 to $6,650 for the materials.
| Oak Flooring | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 1,000 Square Feet | $10,450-$17,100 |
How Much Does It Cost To Install 1,200-Square-Foot Hardwood Floors?
The standard price range for installing hardwood floors in a 1,200-square-foot space costs between $6,840 and $20,520.
Homeowners with a 1,200-square-foot home will need to pay $12,540 and $20,520 to install oak hardwood floors.
When it comes to the materials, they typically cost between $3,420 and $7,980.
| Oak Flooring | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 1,200 square feet | $12,540-$20,520 |
How Much Does It Cost To Install 2,000-Square-Foot Hardwood Floors?
If your home is 2,000 square feet, a hardwood installation project will cost between $11,400 and $34,200.
However, if you’ve got your sight set on oak flooring, you can expect to pay between $20,900 and $34,200 for this installation project.
The materials for the oak floors alone cost $5,700 to $13,300.
| Oak Flooring | Price Range |
|---|---|
| 2,000 Square Feet | $20,900-$34,200 |
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The Advantages Of Oak Flooring
If you’re wondering if you should install oak flooring in your house, here are some advantages of this type of hardwood:
- Oak hardwood floors are easy to clean and maintain. All you need to do is sweep and vacuum regularly, and they will always look great.
- Compared to other types of hardwood, oak flooring is relatively budget-friendly.
- This type of hardwood floor has a good durability rating, making it long-lasting.
- Oak is one of the most common types of hardwood in the U.S., so it’s relatively easy to find.
- Installing oak flooring is a good investment since it increases your home’s value.
- Adding oak hardwood floors to your home will make it look warm and welcoming. Moreover, this an oak floor goes well with both modern and traditional aesthetics.
The Disadvantages of Oak Flooring
Here are some disadvantages of oak flooring you should be aware of:
- Even though oak hardwood flooring is durable, it’s not impervious to damage. It can still be dented, scratched, and scuffed, especially if you install it in a high-traffic room.
- Oak should be kept dry as much as possible. If it comes into contact with moisture, it can warp over time. This is why you shouldn’t use oak flooring for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and similar.
- Like other types of hardwood, oak flooring is noisy when you walk on it. It doesn’t dampen ambient noise and can creak when stepped on.
How Does Oak Flooring Compare To Other Hardwood Floors?
In terms of pricing, oak flooring is more affordable than other hardwood floors.
One square foot of oak flooring costs $5.70 to $17.10, while other hardwood floor options are more expensive.
For example, maple flooring is priced at $13.96 to $18.00 per square foot, whereas walnut costs between $14.25 to $15.48 per square foot.
More expensive hardwood flooring options include birch ($12.35 to $15.00 per square foot), cherry ($18.10 to $22.10 per square foot), tigerwood ($15.67 to $19.15 per square foot), and Cabreuva ($19 to $20.43 per square foot).
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How Long Do Hardwood Floors Last?
If you take care of your hardwood floor, it can last up to 20 to 30 years. That being said, some hardwood floors are more durable than others.
A wood’s durability and hardness are estimated based on the Janka Hardness Test.
We already mentioned that red oak has a hardness of 1,290 lbs and white oak of 1,360 lbs.
Hardwood floors that are more durable than oak include Ash, maple, and hickory.
The hardwood floor that takes first place on the Janka Hardness Test is Brazilian cherry at 2,350 lbs.
How Do I Maintain My Hardwood Floor?
Maintaining your hardwood floors is the key to keeping them brand-new and shiny over the years.
Make sure to sweep your floors every few days and vacuum at least once a week.
If you accidentally spill something, clean it up immediately to avoid stains.
Pro Tip: Clean any stains with a dry or slightly damp mop. Using a wet or steam mop will only create more damage.
When it comes to annual maintenance tasks, you should refinish your hardwood floors every three to five years.
Refinishing requires you to sand down the top layer of the hardwood boards and apply a new coat of wood floor finish.
When Is The Time To Replace My Hardwood Floor?
There are many signs you should replace your hardwood floors. One of the first ones is their age.
Are your floors more than 20 years old and showing noticeable wear? If so, it may be time to give your home’s interior a new look.
Other signs it may be time to install new hardwood floors include water damage, wood discoloration, larger scratches and marks, creaking and moving boards, and nails peeking through the wood.
Another sign to look for is numerous refinishes throughout the years.
Ask yourself, how many times did you refinish those floors? Too much sanding can make the boards too thin and more prone to cracking.
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Does Hardwood Flooring Increase Home Value?
Since hardwood floors can last for decades, this home improvement project does increase your home’s value.
Because red oak is the most affordable type of hardwood, you won’t be required to invest in this project as much as other hardwoods.
Due to the durability and longevity of oak flooring, you’ll be able to sell your house for a higher price and get a great return on investment.
What Type Of Wood Is The Most Durable For Flooring?
There are different types of hardwood floors to choose from, including pine wood, maple, red oak, white oak, Brazilian walnut, birch, cherry, and more.
Oak is definitely at the top of the list regarding durability, especially red oak, which is the industry standard.
On the other hand, white oak is naturally resistant to water and moisture.
Other durable wood flooring materials include Ash, maple, hickory, mahogany, teak, ebony, and Brazilian Cherry.
To make it even more durable, you can add a good finish to strengthen the floors.
Some of the best finishes for wood floors include oil-based polyurethane, aluminum oxide, and natural oils.
Is Oak Flooring Expensive?
Compared to other types of hardwood flooring, oak flooring is an inexpensive option.
Oak might be on the lower end of the price scale because it’s readily available.
In addition, domestic hardwoods will always be more affordable than imported hardwoods.
Pro Tip: If you want to install oak flooring but it’s out of your budget, there are various things you can do to minimize the costs. One of the best ways to do this is by installing the floor yourself. Professional installation usually accounts for 30% of the total project cost, so you’d save a lot of money. Another way to reduce the overall cost is to order prefinished oak flooring in bulk.
Is Oak Flooring Worth It?
Oak flooring is a good option for hardwood floors. It’s a durable, long-lasting solution that will transform your home’s appearance.
Oak flooring’s natural resilience will be able to withstand wear and tear over the years.
As long as you take care of your oak floors properly and refinish them every few years, they will continue to look good.
Everything You Need To Know About Oak Flooring
Whether you choose white or red oak, this flooring will give your home a classic appeal and warm ambiance.
Oak flooring is a wonderful option and a hardwood that won’t show signs of wear for decades.
What’s more, compared to other types of hardwood, oak is a budget-friendly choice.
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