Affordable Types Of Hardwood Floors That Look More Expensive Than They Are

This should not come as a surprise: When homeowners were asked which flooring they would prefer for their dream home, the majority picked wood floors. No prizes for guessing why. There are many reasons hardwood floors are the right choice for a home. They are visually appealing, durable, and, unlike carpets, way easier to clean. That said, hardwood floors have one major drawback: they can be prohibitively expensive. You can easily find yourself paying double for a hardwood floor than for a carpet. For example, a genuine parquet floor costs up to $45 per square foot. Does this mean you should give up on the dream look hardwood floors provide? Not so fast. If you know where to look (and do your homework well), you will be surprised to find several affordable hardwood options to consider for your project, like white oak and hickory.

Of course, the overall price will come down to the type of wood, the style of wood flooring, the thickness of the planks, and the ease of installation. The trick is not to go too cheap. Otherwise, you'd be compromising quality. What's affordable can be difficult to lay out, mainly because it's subjective. However, we believe if you can spend less than $10 per square foot for a material that looks considerably more expensive than that, you'll have hit the sweet spot.

Amber Brazilian Oak is one hardwood floor option that looks more expensive than it actually cost. It is adored for its fine graining and sells for just $6.69 per square foot at Lumber Liquidators. For residential uses, you're likely to benefit from a 100-year warranty. The sweet part is that the warranty is transferable, meaning you can pass it to a new owner and, hence, factor it into your home's resale value.

Then there's hickory, another hardwood floor that costs much less but looks luxurious. If in doubt, wait until you notice its beautiful, swirling patterns. So, how much does hickory flooring cost? Anywhere between $3 and $8 per square foot before installation. Of course, hickory is not just classic and elegant but it's also durable. We are talking about a hardness rating of 1820 compared to 1360 for white oak. For perspective, the hardness rating is the scale to measure wood's resistance to dents.

Next in line is red oak, which is also exceptionally stylish and known for its pinkish undertones. It will depend on the width of the planks (narrow planks are cheaper), but you should expect to pay between $3 and $10 per square foot. Then there's its close and more popular cousin — white oak, which is loved for its smooth and subtle grain patterns. White oak is considered a top-rated blonde hardwood flooring option and is typically more expensive, selling for up to $15 per square foot. However, you can find some mid-range options for $10 per square foot or less.

Typically, some hardwood flooring options are variations of red oak (which is among the most affordable), white oak, or hickory. Take Gunstock Oak, for instance, commonly identified by how its color resembles a naturally occurring mineral. Lumber Liquidators sells Classic Gunstock Oak Prefinished Solid Hardwood Flooring for $5.29 per square foot. They are a form of red oak and have a residential warranty of 50 years.

In the same vein, if you're looking for a sleek, soothing brown undertone, check out Cocoa Bean Oak Parquet. The Washington, DC-based District Floor Depot sells them for $4.99 per square foot. Trust this flooring to transform any ordinary space into one that is noticeably warm and welcoming. Finally, you have the Bar Harbor Acacia Distressed Prefinished Solid Hardwood Flooring, which Lumber Liquidators sells for $5.79 per square foot. It has a tinge of yellow-gold and a look that can rhyme with different indoor themes. 

One last trick is to look for mid-range hardwood options, which typically come as planks (not herringbone), have a natural wood grade (not rustic or prime), and feature a varnish finish (not oil or lacquered). You can also opt for engineered wood flooring instead of solid wood. So yes, there's a way to have a stylish look that fits within your budget.