2024 Kitchen Flooring Buying Guide - How Much to Budget?

A kitchen remodel is one of the most common renovation endeavours, especially in terms of flooring. Kitchen floors have to put up with a great deal of daily use, resulting in fast-tracked wear and tear. This area goes through it, from falling pots and pans, boiling liquid or other spills to normal foot traffic.

With that in mind, it’s normal that said flooring doesn’t last as long as that in other living spaces. As such, it’s important to restore kitchen flooring after a certain amount of time has elapsed. However, project costs can skyrocket depending on the selected material. Given that there’s a plethora of different types of flooring, RenoQuotes.com put a list together with average, projected costs to help guide you in choosing the best flooring for your kitchen.

How Much Does It Cost to Upgrade Kitchen Floors Per Square Foot?

Here’s a cost reference table, including different flooring types, as well as renovation and restoration services in Canada.

Hardwood Flooring

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Hardwood floors are a great option for kitchens, especially since it’s a noble and timeless material. However, hardwood floors rank at the top of the price bracket. The average material cost is somewhere between $4 and $7 per square foot, coupled with installation costs between $2–$15 per square foot.

If you have to remove your current flooring, budgeting an additional $2–$5 per square foot is recommended for material disposal.

If your subflooring needs replacing, it could end up costing you between $2–$6 per square foot. Lastly, if you’re hoping to refinish your flooring instead of replacing it, sanding, staining, or varnishing will cost roughly $3–$7 per square foot. Costs vary based on the wood species selected. And, since every type of wood has unique characteristics, bringing flooring samples home and testing them out in your kitchen is recommended prior to committing.

Engineered Wood Flooring

Bear in mind that there are affordable alternatives to hardwood flooring, such as engineered wood. Said material is made with a layer of wood atop several layers of plywood. Yet, since it’s not hardwood, it’s not as resistant, but still pretty effective and durable. Engineered wood is priced between $3 and $11 per square foot, and if you like the appeal of natural-looking wood, but it doesn’t suit your budget, this is the perfect cost-effective solution. 

Tile Floor (Porcelain, Ceramic, and Natural Stone)

Tiles are retailed in a wide array of materials, which can make the selection process rather difficult for any buyer. Are you considering porcelain, ceramic, marble, natural stone, or mosaic tiles? Some tiles can be very affordable, especially if you head to Habitat for Humanity to find discounted materials. However, bear in mind that a low unit price can turn into a steep overall installation cost.

The most affordable tiles cost, on average, $2.50–$8.50 per square foot, especially when it comes to ceramic tiles. The most expensive material is natural stone, which is priced between $9–$20 per square foot, with an extra $15–$30 per square foot for installation. Natural stone mosaic tiles can cost upwards of $10–$15 per square foot. Luckily, some tiles are mass-produced and will cost a lot less than natural stone and marble flooring. 

Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring, commonly known as a floating floor, is a cost-effective option, almost always priced more affordably than other kitchen flooring options. Yet, its affordable price point isn’t its sole upside, it also happens to be retailed in a wide array of choices since laminate can mimic the look of wood, stone, and even tiling. Not only is it a low-cost material, but installing loose-lay laminate flooring is a lot simpler compared to other flooring installation processes. Moreover, this type of flooring is impact-resistant, making it a preferred material when it comes to kitchen remodels. 

Laminate flooring is made with layers of melamine resin and, typically, high-density fibreboard. The cost of laminate varies between $2–$12 per square foot, and $1–$4 for labour. If your subflooring needs restoring, you’ll have to factor in additional fees. Laminate flooring costs vary based on material thickness as well as the manufacturer and retailer.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring didn’t have the best of reputations, and during the 90s, most people turned up their noses to this material. It was considered one of the most polluting materials used across the construction industry. Its manufacturing process greatly evolved and now, vinyl flooring is recommended by numerous architects as an affordable floor covering.  

New vinyl (or polyvinyl) flooring can help you save buckets of money during your kitchen renovation project. Not unlike laminate, vinyl can mimic the look of other flooring materials, such as stone, wood, and tile, at a fraction of the cost. If you were to purchase individual vinyl flooring tiles, the installation process thereafter can be pretty easy. Some people even choose to head the DIY route.

Besides, good quality vinyl or PVC (polyvinyl) provide decent water, wear, and fade resistance, making it a worthwhile option for the kitchen. Its easy maintenance and extended lifespan—around 25 years—make it an option worth considering. 

The cost of vinyl tends to range between $10–$25 per square foot and is typically sold in tile form or sheets. Prices will vary if the floor on which you’re installing the vinyl isn’t smooth, since a layer of plywood will have to be laid, ensuring the vinyl adheres to the surface properly.

Concrete Floor

Concrete is a modern material that’s increasingly sought-after for various uses. It’s versatile, blending easily with a myriad of decors. Its soft colouring is scarcely rivalled by other materials, making for a contemporary finish. It also happens to be one of the most long-lasting flooring. It can withstand kitchens bustling with activity much like disorganized ones. This type of floor covering can be stained, polished, stencilled, or waxed. Given the wide array of finishes available, you can customize your concrete flooring to your liking.

Much like natural stone, concrete floor coatings are rather cold to the touch and may necessitate an underfloor heating system to maximize comfort. Concrete also makes for a rather hard surface to tread on, which can be quite straining on the body if you’re cooking for extended periods. Maintenance-wise, it can stain rather easily and must be resealed regularly for long-lasting results. 

Material costs can vary significantly, so do your research prior to opting for this type of floor covering. On average, concrete flooring costs between $8–$17/square foot.

Epoxy Resin Flooring

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Epoxy, also known as polyepoxides, is aesthetic and low maintenance, resulting from a chemical reaction between two basic components, making an extremely resistant and uniform surface. The latter results in a very thick, varnish-like finish. Epoxy resin has several decorative, furnishing, and construction uses. Much like polyurethane, epoxy is a very scratch- and shock-resistant floor covering. The surface’s density makes for a maintenance-friendly flooring, one that's bacteria- and moisture-resistant.

Opt for flexible epoxy topcoats in heavily frequented areas or those subject to a lot of back-and-forth foot traffic. Given its malleability, epoxy is a shock-absorbing material leaving its surface devoid of cracks or damage. Indeed, epoxy’s strength is its flexibility, making it particularly resistant. 

On average, epoxy flooring is priced between $3–$12 per square foot.  

Cork Flooring

When it comes to kitchen renovation projects, cork flooring is trending. This material naturally provides sound absorption properties, making it a rather worthwhile choice for the kitchen. Cork also makes for a comfortable surface on which to stand while cooking. This material is eco-friendly, renewable, and resistant—retailed in a broad range of styles, colours, and textures. On average, cork flooring costs between $3–$11 per square foot, coupled with an additional $5–$10 per square foot for installation purposes. 

What Factors Affect the Cost of New Kitchen Flooring?

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Material Selection

With an array of options available, such as hardwood, concrete, or vinyl, price points are likely to vary significantly. There are several cost-determining factors, including product origin, whether hailing from Asia, Latin America, or Europe, as well as required treatments, such as trimming and colouring.

Square Footage to Cover

The size and shape of the room in question will affect flooring installation cost, especially with hardwood. The more square footage there is, the more material and labour needed, which incurs more costs. Moreover, rectangular and square rooms are typically cheaper to floor compared to odd-shaped spaces, such as round rooms, which require complex flooring cuts.

Labour

Unless you’re planning on heading the DIY route when removing old flooring and laying the new one, you’ll have to hire a flooring contractor to do so. Beyond flooring costs, hiring a professional service provider is bound to be the most expensive part of a flooring renovation project.

What Are the Additional Floor Renovation Costs?

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Installation Complexity

Although some installations are rather easy, others are complex, which will be reflected in the overall project price tag. Moreover, if your kitchen is atypically shaped, with a lot of curves and odd angles, this will further complicate the installation process, especially if the flooring selected is oddly shaped too. All these factors can lead to steeper costs.

Subflooring Preparation

Preparing the subfloor is key for ensuring your new flooring’s durability. This step includes levelling, waterproofing, and repairing any damaged areas. The more preparation your subflooring needs, the higher to costs will be.

Location

Flooring material costs can also vary based on your area of residence. In some urban areas, where the cost of living is higher, prices may be steeper due to greater demand and higher transportation fees. On the flip side, costs tend to be lower in rural areas, yet regional factors, such as material availability, can affect pricing. 

Our Tips for Making a Well-Informed, Price-Conscious Decision

Simply put, kitchen flooring renovation costs vary based on material selection, square footage to cover, installation complexity, and labour costs. Geographic location and subflooring preparation also affect costs given local discrepancies. Given the range of flooring options available, weighing the pros and cons of each material is paramount to finding the one that best suits your needs and budget. With these factors in mind, you can optimize your decision for an efficient and budget-friendly renovation.

FAQ

What is the best type of kitchen flooring for dog owners?

Among the options presented in our guide, vinyl flooring is an excellent choice when it comes to kitchen flooring if you have a dog. It’s scratch- and water-resistant (ideal in case of pet-related incidents), has great adherence, and is low-maintenance, with a budget-friendly installation fee.

What is the cheapest way to redo a kitchen floor?

Laminate flooring is typically the most cost-effective option on the market. However, if you’re planning on renovating your kitchen, as mentioned in our guide, ceramic floor tiles are also an affordable option. 

For more information about kitchen flooring, check out What Is the Best Kitchen Flooring?To learn more about the average cost of different renovation projects, check out our Home Renovation Price Guide

For examples of kitchen renovation projects done by RenoQuotes.com affiliated contractors, check out our article 10 Examples of Kitchen Renovation Projects