Aug. 26, 2024
The cheapest flooring options are vinyl sheet flooring, luxury vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, oak flooring seconds, plywood flooring, painted flooring, wallpaper, and carpet tiles.
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All these cheap flooring options can be purchased for under $2.00 per square foot.
We love a challenge, so when we were asked to find some really great, budget flooring ideas we jumped to it; the main condition was to ensure that the flooring came in at under $2 per square foot &#; and we&#;re pleased to say that we found lots of top rated and inexpensive flooring options for you, from clever, cheap DIY flooring ideas, to low cost flooring products that don&#;t actually look cheap at all.
When you&#;ve had a look through the options, read on for tips on where to buy budget flooring and installation suggestions.
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Hardwood Floor Installation
The average total cost ranges from $9 to $20 per square foot.
Get Free EstimatesCarpet Installation
The average total cost for carpet ranges from $5.67 to over $21 per square foot, depending on the quality.
Get Free EstimatesLaminate Floor Installation
The average total cost for laminate flooring is between $3 to $13 per square foot.
Get Free EstimatesSheet vinyl flooring has always been inexpensive, but gone are the days when sheet vinyl meant having to make do with some horrendous, yellow-brown, floral designs.
Vinyl sheet has had a wonderful renaissance in recent years, and has been updated to include modern designs that are majorly on-trend. Coupled with improved imaging techniques, there are some really beautiful vinyl sheet options that are easy on your eye and easy on your wallet.
Plus, contemporary vinyl sheet is being designed to mimic just about every kind of flooring, so if you look carefully you&#;ll find some pretty authentic looking options. For example, over at the Home Depot you can get this rather lovely TrafficMASTER faux oak plank design for a very decent $1.91 per square foot, cheap flooring from a respected manufacturer. Sheet vinyl is our favorite low budget flooring idea based on choice alone.
If the idea of putting a huge roll of vinyl sheet into place seems a little daunting, then a better option might be to go for some luxury vinyl tiles or planks. Don&#;t be put off by the word &#;luxury&#; you can still find some price friendly products.
Again, the technology has come a long way with these products, and you&#;re now able to get some very good looking vinyl tiles that are made to resemble real encaustic cement, porcelain or stone tiles for a fraction of the price.
Plus, you can make things super simple with the click-lock or peel and stick versions &#; easy to install, even for the novice DIYer, making your flooring project even cheaper.
For instance, the Home Depot currently stock these peel and stick faux encaustic cement tiles from FloorPops for just $1.45 per square foot. They come in several gorgeous patterns, but we particularly like this geometric floral in gray and white.
Or if you&#;re after a more classic wood look flooring, then have a look at these peel and stick oak design planks from Style Selections, currently selling at Lowe&#;s for just $1.28 per square foot.
Another relatively easy and low-cost flooring option for occasional DIYers is laminate flooring. Much like the vinyl planks mentioned above, advances in how they are made means that many have a simple click-lock installation, and some even come with attached underlayment, making the whole process even simpler.
For example, nothing beats the Fair Oaks range of laminate flooring currently sold at Floor and Decor from as little as $0.79 per square foot. The Voyager Trail option comes in a light natural wood tone and is the perfect backdrop for contemporary homes.
Another top tip is to check out the offers available at the online Mohawk Outlet Store. Featuring an ever-changing selection of discontinued Mohawk and Pergo lines, you can really pick up some great bargains, like this Catalina Acacia with underlayment which works out at $1.99 per square foot.
But what if you want real, solid wood underfoot? Well, a little known industry secret is that you can get perfectly good, but also cheap, oak wood flooring. You&#;ll find it at lumber yards that advertise seconds oak flooring, also sometimes known as common grade, rustic grade, utility grade, builder grade or contractor specials.
But be aware that if you go down this route, you may have to buy more oak than you need as these planks tend to be more &#;characterful&#; than the more expensive oak options &#; that is to say there will be more knots and streaks, a greater variation in color and also often shorter planks (makes it super perfect for herringbone and chevron parquet patterns though).
You will also more than likely have to budget for staining and finishing the flooring on site as most seconds oak is unfinished. For example, here&#;s a link to one lumber yard&#;s specials page, with red oak flooring options from as little as $1.79 per square foot and white oak from $1.79 per square foot.
If you really want the real wood look, but are on a really super tight budget, then you might be interested to know that you can create a great looking floor that looks very much like solid hardwood using nothing more than simple plywood sheets, stain and sealant.
Proficient DIYers have found all kinds of ways of finishing plywood flooring to create unique and interesting looks, including charring it with a blowtorch for dramatic color contrasts or painting it with stencils; have a peak at our post here about plywood floor ideas and also this useful DIY tips on Remodelaholic. For a more rustic feel, we&#;ve also seen flooring made using Oriented Strand Board.
If ripping out your existing flooring for a complete remodel simply isn&#;t an option &#; either because your time or your budget is limited &#; then your best cheaper option might be painting the floor you&#;ve already got.
One gallon of paint should cover about 400 square feet, and with most top quality floor paints coming in between $30-$40 a gallon, that works out at $0.10 or less per square foot. Even when you add primer and top-coat sealant, you&#;re still look at well under $1 per square foot.
Just about any kind of flooring can be painted (even vinyl, linoleum and laminate flooring can be painted), provided you&#;re prepared to do the necessary grunt work of prepping it to ensure good adhesion.
Paint also has the added advantage of allowing you to be as creative as you want, from straight block color to sombre effects, stenciled or freestyle patterns, stripes or checkers. Have a look at our painted wood flooring ideas article for inspiration.
However, even the best paint job in the world won&#;t stop a painted floor eventually showing signs of wear and tear. This could be great news if you love the distressed, lived in feel. If not, just be prepared to repaint in a year or two &#; and in the meantime minimize erosion by having a no shoes policy.
If you love the idea of stenciled flooring, then you might also like to know that you can actually wallpaper your floor. Wallpaper can adhere to wood, vinyl and linoleum floors. Once you&#;ve papered your floor, simple paint over with several coats of polyurethane to provide a fairly tough sealant.
This option gives you on-trend patterns without the worry of smudged stencils, or the permanence of paint. Plus the design options are endless &#; Wayfair currently stocks a huge selection of peel and stick wallpapers for under $1.50 per square foot, with designs ranging from geometric to floral to everything in between.
Have a look at how Medina at Grillo Designs papered her flooring and take note of some of her top tips: wallpapering your floor is best for smaller spaces like a hallway or WC, and not suitable for family bathrooms or kitchens where there will be too much humidity.
Carpet tile is an ideal budget solution if you&#;re looking for a softer flooring option: the advantages are that not only can you find plenty of decent options for under $2 per square foot, but also that individual tiles can be easily replaced if they get to the point of being beyond repair or cleaning (note this is only true if you&#;ve bought more tiles than you need in order to have some spare, of course).
For example, Wayfair currently stock a number of Mohawk Flooring carpet tiles including this rather smart one from their Epsom collection for $1.85 per square foot. It&#;s pictured here in a bedroom, but we think it would work even better in a home office.
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And one last top tip for budget flooring shopping from us: Flor, one of the most popular carpet tile manufacturers, have an outlet store that sells random pattern carpet tile for $1 per tile (each tile being just over a square foot at 19.7&#; square). The only catch is color and patterns are not specified online &#; it&#;s just whatever is available on their inventory at the time&#; worth a shot, then, if you&#;re going for a patchwork look like this one below.
Flooring styles cycle like clothing styles &#; full price, to sale to clearance. There are bargains to be had.
When buying cheap flooring, you&#;ve got familiar options &#; Shop locally and browse online.
Big box stores: Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, and non-chain home improvement stores mostly sell low-end to mid-range flooring.
They&#;re great places to pick up sale and clearance boxes of ceramic tile, luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl plank (LVP), laminate, wood flooring, carpet squares and other boxed types.
Low-cost rolls of carpet and vinyl are available. The cheapest options are called remnants, meaning there&#;s just a little bit left of the roll, and the store wants to get rid of it. Prices are very attractive.
If you want to see and feel the material before you buy, visit a local store. When convenience is preferred, all these stores sell a limited selection online too.
Flooring stores: Local stores stock mid-grade and premium flooring along with cheaper grades. If you are willing to pay more for better flooring but want it as cheap as possible, these are good places to search. Most have sale/discount/clearance flooring at prices 15% to 75% below MSRP.
Lumber Liquidators is a good source for discounted solid hardwood and engineered flooring in all grades. Prices start below $2.00 per square foot. The Overstock page is the best place to find bargain hardwood flooring.
Build Direct is another online seller with a huge inventory of wood, vinyl and tile flooring. Prices start at less than $1.00 per square foot.
Start shopping early and check back often: Discounted, cheap flooring is priced to sell. It goes fast and rotates often. You&#;ll have the best shot at finding cheap flooring you really like by starting your search months early and checking the discount/clearance stock at least weekly.
Be flexible on style: The choosier you are, the less likely that you&#;ll find cheap flooring you&#;re happy to use.
Don&#;t get caught short: Before buying discontinued flooring, make sure there is enough of it for your job. That includes about 5% extra for waste if you&#;re having a pro install it and 10% extra if you&#;re doing it yourself. An extra box or few yards of a roll for future repairs is useful too.
Cheap, even free installation options are available. These tips will reduce or eliminate your labor costs.
&#;Buy three rooms of carpet, and installation is free.&#; That kind of deal is only available when you spend full price for flooring. It&#;s not a deal worth considering for seekers of cheap flooring.
Floors that lock or snap together and &#;float&#; rather than being fastened down are easy to install. These include laminate, LVT, LVP and some hardwood flooring.
Mess up the trim cut on one 2&#;x2&#; piece, and that&#;s all you lose. Botch a big piece of sheet vinyl or cut roll carpet short, and you&#;re out a lot more.
That&#;s why sheet/roll flooring is NOT recommended for inexperienced DIYers.
Peel and stick is another option. Don&#;t knock it till you see how nice some of this flooring is. The Home Depot, as one example, lists almost 200 peel and stick vinyl and carpet products.
Surely someone you know (or someone they know) has installed the type flooring you plan to install. Put out the word to your network, and find experienced help. Trade their time for something you can offer in return &#; your time on their project, an engine tune-up, free beer and hot wings&#;so many options based on your skills and budget.
Pro installation is recommended for the following types, and that knocks them off the cheap flooring list.
If there&#;s room in the budget for a mix of inexpensive floors and better-grade flooring, then these tips will help you choose where going cheap is a safe bet.
Updating your home&#;s flooring can dramatically transform its look and feel without costing a fortune. Thanks to technological advancements, there are now plenty of affordable flooring choices for homeowners and do-it-yourselfers (DIYers). We&#;ll explore eight budget-friendly options that offer style, durability, and value, plus average costs and and budgeting tips.
Each flooring option has different levels of durability, water resistance, ease of installation, and visual appeal. The best choice for your home will depend on factors such as the room&#;s purpose, your DIY capabilities, and your budget constraints. Let&#;s take a closer look at the available materials.
Vinyl is one of the most popular and versatile cheap flooring options. It&#;s predominantly manufactured with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), making it durable, waterproof, and able to be installed anywhere in your home. Vinyl requires little maintenance, just regular vacuuming or sweeping and occasional mopping. If installed correctly, you can expect vinyl tile flooring to last up to 25 years, making it an excellent long-term investment. Vinyl tiles, in particular, come in peel-and-stick or glue-on options, making them easy to install. Vinyl tiles cost around $1&#;$4 per square foot.*
*All cost data in this article is based on contractor estimates used by Angi.
Sheet vinyl is a cut-to-length option that has seen many design, texture, and quality advancements. It typically comes in 6-foot and 12-foot widths, making it ideal for large, open areas or rooms with minimal seams. While sheet vinyl is one of the most affordable flooring options, its installation can be challenging due to its weight and size. The typical cost for sheet vinyl is $1&#;$2 per square foot, excluding installation.
For those seeking a realistic hardwood or stone alternative, plank vinyl is a great choice that rivals the look of pricier flooring. Unlike sheet vinyl, planks come in smaller sizes, making the installation easier and more manageable for DIY enthusiasts. Vinyl planks can be glued down, installed with a peel-and-stick method, or used with a click-and-lock system.
On average, prices range from $2&#;$7 per square foot, not including installation. The cost increases based on thickness, quality, and manufacturer guarantees.
Carpet remains a popular budget-friendly flooring option. It comes in a wide range of materials, qualities, and styles to suit various preferences. It&#;s soft underfoot, excellent at dampening sound, and can last up to 10 years with proper care and maintenance. However, it shows wear and tear faster than other flooring types and isn&#;t suitable for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms. Homeowners typically opt for two types of carpeting: wall-to-wall or carpet tiles.
Wall-to-wall carpeting can be an incredibly affordable flooring option, with pricing around $3&#;$11 per square foot. However, installing wall-to-wall carpeting is complex and often requires professional expertise. The process involves multiple steps and tools, and accuracy is crucial to avoid issues like wrinkles, bumps, and weak seams.
For an easier carpeting option, consider peel-and-stick carpet tiles. These smaller pieces make installation relatively quick and easy, even for DIY novices. Carpet tiles come with their own adhesive backing, simplifying the installation process. To install, ensure the floor is clean, peel off the backing, and affix the tiles to the floor. A box cutter can be used to trim pieces as needed.
Peel-and-stick carpet tiles are available at major retailers for $1.50&#;$3.50 per square foot, making them one of the cheapest flooring options available.
Laminate flooring mimics the look of hardwood or stone. It&#;s an affordable way to achieve a high-end look, as it&#;s made of a composite of materials with a photographic image embossed on its surface. While laminate is comparable to vinyl in terms of cost, it&#;s not as durable and shouldn&#;t be exposed to heat or excessive moisture. It typically lasts about 10 years and is best suited for dry areas of the home.
Laminate flooring costs between $3 and $13 per square foot (not including installation), but prices can increase depending on the materials and manufacturer guarantees.
Tile flooring is durable and water-resistant, making it ideal for moisture-prone areas or places with heavy foot traffic. There are two main types of tile that budget-conscious homeowners should consider: ceramic and porcelain.
Ceramic tile is one of the most affordable tile options, with prices ranging from $0.50&#;$7 per square foot. When choosing ceramic tile for flooring, look for options rated at least a 3 on the PEI scale&#;the industry standard set by the Porcelain Enamel Institute. Tiles rated below three will be too thin and brittle to withstand floor traffic.
Porcelain tile is an excellent choice for areas with high moisture exposure, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Due to its manufacturing process, porcelain is denser and better at repelling water than ceramic tile. While it costs slightly more per square foot, its superior durability and water resistance make it a worthwhile investment.
Porcelain tile starts at around $3 per square foot and can go as high as $10 per square foot, depending on the design and finish.
Cork flooring is a soft, eco-friendly alternative to composite flooring and is easier to install than hardwood. Made from the bark of cork oak trees, this renewable resource is used to create floor tiles, planks, and sheets. Cork has a unique, warm appearance and provides natural insulation and sound-dampening properties.
While cork&#;s softness enhances comfort underfoot, it also makes it more susceptible to scratches and dents compared to harder flooring options. Additionally, cork doesn&#;t perform well in high-humidity environments, as excessive moisture can cause the material to crack and break.
Cork flooring starts around $5&#;$19 per square foot, with prices increasing based on thickness, quality, and finish.
If replacing your existing floor isn&#;t an option, consider refreshing it for a new look at a lower cost. You can repair wood floors with a stain, paint, or fresh coat of varnish. You can refresh concrete floors with specialized epoxy coatings or stains. Tile floors can be refreshed by deep-cleaning and recoloring the grout or applying tile paint.
Refinishing wood floors involves cleaning the floor, sanding it down to remove any old finish, applying a new stain (if desired), and then sealing it with a protective topcoat. This can bring an old, tired floor back to life at a fraction of the cost of new flooring.
When considering how to install your new floors, assess the project&#;s complexity, your available time, and your own capabilities. Some flooring types, like peel-and-stick vinyl planks or carpet tiles, are relatively easy to install yourself. But others, like wall-to-wall carpeting and large sheet vinyl installations, require professional expertise to ensure a proper fit and finish.
DIY projects save you money and can provide a sense of accomplishment. If you choose this route, make sure to thoroughly research the installation process and check that you have all the necessary tools. On the other hand, hiring professionals can provide peace of mind. A professional installation helps minimize errors and typically includes a warranty. This expertise can be particularly valuable for more complex flooring types or when you want to ensure the best possible results.
To get the cheapest flooring for your home, consider shopping at big-box retailers, online marketplaces, and local flooring liquidators. These sources often offer competitive prices and frequent sales. Additionally, look for end-of-season clearance events or overstock sales for significant discounts. Remember to check for manufacturer rebates or promotional offers, which can further reduce your costs. Comparing prices across multiple retailers and being flexible with your flooring choice can help you find the best deals.
Online marketplaces such as Amazon provide a wide range of options. Customer reviews can help you assess the quality of the products. When you visit local stores, you can see and feel the materials before buying, which can be important for high-touch areas like flooring; you don&#;t want to end up with something that&#;s uncomfortable to walk on.
The right flooring may vary from room to room depending on its purpose and features. Below, we&#;ve provided some flooring recommendations for different areas of your home:
To ensure your flooring lasts as long as possible, you&#;ll need to maintain it. For vinyl and laminate, sweep or vacuum regularly and mop with a damp cloth. Avoid using excessive water, which can damage these materials. For carpet, vacuum frequently and address stains immediately. For tile, clean grout lines regularly to prevent discoloration. Use furniture pads under heavy items to prevent scratches or dents on all flooring types.
Creating a routine cleaning schedule can help keep your floors in top condition. For example, setting aside time each week to vacuum carpets or sweep and mop tiles can prevent dirt buildup and maintain the flooring&#;s appearance. Regular inspections for damage or wear and promptly addressing any issues can also extend the life of your flooring.
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