{
  "slug": "laminate-vs-hardwood-cost",
  "title": "Laminate vs Hardwood Flooring Cost Calculator",
  "heading": "Laminate vs Hardwood Flooring Cost Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/laminate-vs-hardwood-cost",
  "summary": "Compare install cost plus refinishing cycles over the years you'll own the floor.",
  "description": "Laminate installs cheaper and needs no refinishing, but typically gets replaced rather than repaired when it wears out. Hardwood costs more upfront but can be sanded and refinished multiple times, stretching its life for decades. This tool compares total cost per square foot over a chosen horizon, including laminate replacement cycles and hardwood refinishing cycles.",
  "formula": "Laminate Total = (Install Cost × Replacement Cycles). Hardwood Total = Install Cost + (Refinish Cost × Refinish Cycles).",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-06",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=laminate-vs-hardwood-cost",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "sqft",
      "label": "Square footage",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 800,
      "unit": "sqft",
      "min": 1,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "laminatePerSqft",
      "label": "Laminate install cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 5.5,
      "unit": "$/sqft",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "laminateLife",
      "label": "Laminate lifespan",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 15,
      "unit": "yrs",
      "min": 1,
      "max": 30
    },
    {
      "id": "hardwoodPerSqft",
      "label": "Hardwood install cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 11,
      "unit": "$/sqft",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "refinishPerSqft",
      "label": "Refinish cost",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 3.5,
      "unit": "$/sqft",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "refinishCycle",
      "label": "Years between refinishing",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 10,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 1,
      "max": 30
    },
    {
      "id": "horizon",
      "label": "Comparison horizon",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 30,
      "unit": "yrs",
      "min": 5,
      "max": 60
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "winner",
      "label": "Lower total cost option",
      "format": "raw",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "laminateTotal",
      "label": "Laminate total cost (with replacements)",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "hardwoodTotal",
      "label": "Hardwood total cost (with refinishing)",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "diff",
      "label": "Difference",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Square footage: 800 sqft",
      "Laminate install cost: 5.5 $/sqft",
      "Laminate lifespan: 15 yrs",
      "Hardwood install cost: 11 $/sqft",
      "Refinish cost: 3.5 $/sqft",
      "Years between refinishing: 10",
      "Comparison horizon: 30 yrs"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Lower total cost option: Laminate",
      "Laminate total cost (with replacements): $8,800",
      "Hardwood total cost (with refinishing): $17,200",
      "Difference: $8,400"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter square footage (sqft).",
      "Enter laminate install cost ($/sqft).",
      "Enter laminate lifespan (yrs).",
      "Enter hardwood install cost ($/sqft).",
      "Enter refinish cost ($/sqft).",
      "Enter years between refinishing.",
      "Enter comparison horizon (yrs).",
      "Read your lower total cost option on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "sqft": 480,
        "laminatePerSqft": 3.3,
        "laminateLife": 9,
        "hardwoodPerSqft": 6.6,
        "refinishPerSqft": 2.1,
        "refinishCycle": 6,
        "horizon": 18
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "sqft": 800,
        "laminatePerSqft": 5.5,
        "laminateLife": 15,
        "hardwoodPerSqft": 11,
        "refinishPerSqft": 3.5,
        "refinishCycle": 10,
        "horizon": 30
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "sqft": 1280,
        "laminatePerSqft": 8.8,
        "laminateLife": 24,
        "hardwoodPerSqft": 17.6,
        "refinishPerSqft": 5.6000000000000005,
        "refinishCycle": 16,
        "horizon": 48
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Does hardwood add resale value laminate doesn't?",
      "a": "Yes, real hardwood is consistently valued higher by buyers and appraisers than laminate, which this cost-only model doesn't capture but should weigh into your decision for a long hold."
    },
    {
      "q": "How many times can hardwood actually be refinished?",
      "a": "Solid hardwood at 3/4 inch thickness can typically be sanded and refinished 4-6 times over its life; engineered hardwood with a thin veneer may only tolerate 1-2 refinishes."
    },
    {
      "q": "Is laminate ever the smarter long-term choice?",
      "a": "In rental properties or short ownership horizons where resale value and longevity matter less than low upfront cost and easy replacement, laminate often wins outright."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/tile-vs-lvp-flooring",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/hardwood-flooring-cost-calculator"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Laminate vs Hardwood Flooring Cost Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/laminate-vs-hardwood-cost)"
}