How Much Does a Floating Floor Cost?

The average cost of a floating floor depends on the type of flooring used. Product and installation can run between $20 and $90 per square metre.

Laminate is a popular type of floating floor method. Labour pricing may differ in some regions of the continent, but not by much. The cost is mainly due to the quality and complexity of the flooring used.

City	Average Cost (per m2)
Sydney	$50 – $60
Melbourne	$40 – $50
Brisbane	$50 – $60
Canberra	$30 – $45
Perth	$50 – $60
Adelaide	$50 – $60

The term “floating floor” does not refer to a floor that floats. Instead, it relates to a method of installing with a host of different materials. Vinyl, laminates, planks or engineered hardwood are examples of floors that use the floating floor method.

The difference between floating floors and others is that the floor is not glued or nailed down to the sub-floor. While leaving a less permanent type of installation, a floating floor allows breathing and changes in the temperature of the room without buckling.

Cost-Effective

Floating floors are cost-effective, especially to DIYers that are looking for a nice looking inexpensive product. Even when a professional installer is hired, the work is cheaper than that of glued down or nailed down floors.

Easy Installation

The ease of installation has many homeowners sold on floating floors. Many of these floors are place and lock, creating a more precise way of getting an even fit. There is one drawback, however. The subfloor has to be clean and in good shape or floating boards will not fit properly.

Easily Replaceable

Floating floors give you the ability to replace one board if it becomes damaged instead of tearing up a whole section. This keeps the floating floorboards cost to a minimum should an accident happen.

Type

There are three basic types of floating floors. The first and least expensive to install is laminate. Second is timber-look laminate and the most expensive for floating floorboards cost is genuine timber.

Size of Project

The floating floor installation cost will always be higher with more metres to cover. There can also be architectural pitfalls to work around too. Hardly ever do you have a nice square room to work with.

The complexity of the job

The subflooring can be the most complex of the job. If you do not have a suitable subfloor to start with, this will need to be done. Also, most rooms are never precisely even all the way around. Cutting around edges and balancing with uneven walls can take time.

Labour

If you are looking at the floating floorboards price and assuming the labour cost will remain the same regardless of product, think again. Every product has its good points and bad points. Expensive hardwood is more challenging to work with than laminate. Expect to pay more for the cost of floating timber floors.

Quality

Quality materials require quality labour. The cost to install floating vinyl plank flooring will be less than a floating timber floors price. Timber is also more destined to use an underlay for insulation and noise reduction. The floating floor underlay price is usually included in the full amount if requested.

Location

Where you are located can be a factor in the cost of floating floorboards. Larger cities tend to charge higher prices due to demand. Also, if you go out and select your own floating floorboards, you may have difficulty in finding an installer. It is easier and cheaper to buy the flooring and contract the labour out of the same location.

Underlay

The underlay is vital to many that want better insulation and noise control. It also creates friction to help the floor remain firmly in place. It is made of rubber, foam felt or plastic and is placed between the subfloor and the floor covering. It is not a necessity but can make a difference in how your flooring reacts.

The industry standard for installing floating floorboard is $55 per metre. However, this not take into account location, type of material and complexity of the job.

Timber

A floating timber floors cost is the highest of all floating floor prices. Timber floating floorboards cost per metre averages $60 to $150. The high quality of the material takes a skilled installer and more time.

Laminate

Laminate floating floor prices are the most inexpensive on the market. Some areas have installers that will work as reasonable as $25 per metre in a saturated flooring market. The boards click together and make for fast work.

Vinyl

Vinyl is considered a step up from laminate. It can be flexible or rigid and easy to work with. It is sometimes referred to as luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) or vinyl plank flooring.

Engineered

Engineered flooring has a decorative surface layer glued over plywood, much like laminate. There is very little difference between the cost of laminate floating floors prices and engineered.

Bamboo

A bamboo floating floor price is hard to figure. While experts say it is easier to lay than timber, it can have drawbacks that may reflect on the product and installer. If the flooring is not processed for manufacturing correctly, it can shrink once installed. This results in unsightly gaps between the boards. Make sure you know everything about the bamboo product before purchasing. Even then, it could be challenging to find an installer willing to take the chance.

Underlay

Underlayment can add another $5 to $10 per square metre. To have is installed professionally, the price is between $30 and $40 per m2.

Prepare yourself with a list of questions for installers you wish to contact for a quote.

Have them break down the costs as listed:

• Pull up and remove the old flooring
• Install underlay
• Install floating floor
• Trimwork

If you can get everyone to submit a quote with these areas separated, you will be able to make a better comparison.

How to Create an Accurate Estimate

Your installer should have the following qualifications:

• Proper licensing
• Insured in my home
• How long the job will take
• Can you provide references
• Are you willing to put your quote in writing and sign

Floating floors cost can become more involved than you ever hoped for. Here are a couple of tips to make the job go smoother and the cost to go down.

Tip# 1 – Offer to take care of pulling up the old tile or carpet and dispose of.

Tip# 2 – Ask the installer if he has a flooring company that can give you a better price on material.

 

 

* The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources