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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
Thanks to cheap flooring options, you can give your home a facelift without breaking the bank. Whether you are updating your kitchen or are taking on an entire home-renovation project, there are stylish and durable options that you can install yourself. “Most flooring easily snaps together,” says David Klappenberger, founder of Klappenberger & Son. “Make sure you have a sharp saw blade to get crisp, clean edges and a fine tooth jigsaw blade for cutting around door frames.”
We researched the best cheap flooring, evaluating their ease of installation, durability, and type so you can pick the right one for your home.
Best Overall
Pergo Outlast+ 7.48 in. W Graceland Oak Waterproof Laminate Wood Flooring
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Home Depot
Several finish options available
No additional underlay required
Scratch and water resistant
Easy to install
Cannot be refinished
Our top option is the Pergo Outlast+ Waterproof Laminate Wood Flooring, because it is simple to install anywhere in the house and does not call for an underlayment layer. Laminate flooring like this one can be found in several variations, all of which give the impression of wood flooring without the hefty price tag.
The Outlast+ design makes this laminate flooring resistant to water and scratches from kids or pets. It can be wet-mopped for large messes, and it is also approved for steam mopping. For this reason, we recommend installing this flooring in the house's kitchen, bathroom, and other high-traffic rooms. Unlike traditional wood flooring, the wood finish won’t fade or wear away over time. The patented Uniclic joint in this flooring prevents the planks from falling as the room's temperature and humidity fluctuate. Installing it is a breeze if you're familiar with laying the laminate flooring, but if you'd rather have a pro do it, that's also an option. A 10-year commercial guarantee and a lifetime residential warranty are both available.
Laminate flooring, in contrast to wood flooring, cannot be refinished. The entire floor will need to be replaced if there is any damage. However, this flooring type is still our favorite choice for a low-cost option resembling wood floors.
Price at time of publish: $51
Type: Laminate | Intended Room: All | Segment Dimensions: 54.33 x 7.48 inches
Best for Vinyl
MSI Woodland Alpine Mountain Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
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Home Depot
Two thickness options
Easy to clean
Pre-attached underlayment
May need professional help to install
Although the word "luxury" might make you think of spending a small fortune, a budget option like MSI Woodland Alpine Mountain Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring can give your home a sophisticated appearance for less than $3 per square foot. With over 50 different finish options to choose from, you can match just about any flooring already in your home. There are also two thickness options, 12 and 20 mil, so you can find the one that works best with your underlayment or subfloor for a quiet underfoot. The vinyl planks are 100% waterproof, so they are perfect for kitchens, bathrooms, and other wet areas in your home.
This luxury vinyl plank flooring (LVP) is easy to install, thanks to its patented click-lock system. The built-in underlayment works with minor imperfections, but any uneven spots in your home may impact how well it stays in place. When in doubt, hire a professional to help you lay the flooring or level the subfloor.
Price at time of publish: $58
Type: Vinyl | Intended Room: All | Segment Dimensions: 48.03 x 7.13 x 0.55 inches
Best Hardwood
Bruce 3-1/4-inch Prefinished Oak or Maple Flooring
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Home Depot
High-quality materials
Three different widths available
Can be refinished multiple times
Long warranty
Not all styles are the same price
This red oak hardwood flooring is proof that hardwood doesn’t have to be astronomically expensive. The planks have just enough character to give your floor a clean, uniform appearance. With a Janka hardness rating of 1290, this flooring can withstand everyday traffic. Unlike vinyl flooring, you will need to nail the planks down and have some specialized tools to install them properly. They are 3/4 inch thick and can be refinished up to three times, significantly extending their life and making them even more cost-effective. Refinishing a hardwood floor can save time and money compared to installing new flooring. Thanks to the limited lifetime warranty and EverGuard finish protection, you'll love your floors for years to come.
There are a number of different finishes and types of wood to pick from, but we think the natural red oak is a timeless option that works well with many different styles. To help you cover more ground, the floor also comes in three different plank widths: 2.2 inches, 3.2 inches, and 5 inches.
Price at time of publish: $98
Type: Hardwood | Intended Room: All | Segment Dimensions: 2.25 x various x ¾ inches
Best for Tile
Marazzi Travisano Trevi Porcelain Floor and Wall Tile
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Home Depot
Looks like natural stone travertine
Available in multiple sizes
Waterproof and stain-resistant
Great for bathrooms
Usually requires a wet saw for cutting
If you're on a tight budget and looking for an option for rooms that are prone to water spillage, check out these low-cost porcelain tiles from Marazzi. Each measuring 18 by 18 inches, these tiles can pass for travertine, but they won’t break the bank. To give these tiles a realistic appearance, they rely on inkjet technology, which captures a detailed image of the stone and is recreated on the tile.
Depending on your room’s layout, you may need to cut tiles, which requires a wet saw. However, there will be less grouting and spacing required, due to the larger size of the tiles. If you wish to create a more intricate pattern, you can choose from the 6 x 6-inch or 12 x 12-inch options in the same finish. You can even make a design using different sizes if you're feeling particularly ambitious.
They are resistant to stains and chips, as well as waterproof, so you won't have to worry about your floor expanding as a result of puddles left from your tub or kitchen sink. Best of all, this product is also suitable for both floor and wall applications.
Price at time of publish: $36
Type: Tile | Intended Room: Kitchens, bathrooms, and others | Segment Dimensions: 18 x 18 inches
Best for Kitchen
Shaw Trendsetter Aberdeen Click Lock Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring
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Home Depot
Easy installation
100% waterproof
Textured to look like hardwood
Can be installed directly over subfloor
Needs underlayment for best noise reduction
Kitchens that see a lot of foot traffic will benefit greatly from the durability of the Shaw Trendsetter Aberdeen flooring. This high-quality luxury vinyl option can hold up to spills, messes, dirty shoes, and pets without showing any signs of wear. It has a low gloss textured finish that looks like hardwood with a lower price tag and better durability.
You can install it directly over a concrete or wood subfloor, but you should add an underlayment layer if you want the best noise reduction. There is a built-in pad, but it doesn't do much beyond the essentials of keeping it in place and working. Fortunately, installation is pretty easy, so adding one additional step isn’t too confusing, even for a DIYer.
LVP flooring is great in culinary spaces, since it is water-resistant, so the boards won't expand when subjected to the moisture found in the kitchen or when washing dishes. Even though other inexpensive flooring options, like tile, are also waterproof, LVP makes it less likely that a dropped dish will break.
Price at time of publish: $44
Type: Vinyl | Intended Room: All | Segment Dimensions: 42 x 7 x 3/16 inches
Best Laminate
TrafficMaster Laminate Wood Flooring
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Home Depot
Scratch-resistant
Inexpensive
Mimics look of hardwood
Wide planks
Requires underlayment
Another low-cost choice that is simple to install, and can handle high foot traffic without displaying signs of wear and tear, is laminate flooring. Those who like the traditional appearance of hardwood floors but don't want to pay the price can benefit greatly from the gray oak laminate flooring offered by TrafficMaster. These planks have a width of 8 inches, giving them a look comparable to modern wide-plank flooring, but unlike with hardwood, you won't have to worry about the floor getting scratched or dented.
It is possible to install TrafficMASTER laminate flooring over nearly any existing floor, including vinyl, tile, and sheet flooring. Instead of being held together by an adhesive, the planks have click-lock joints that allow them to interlock with one another and provide a secure fit. This flooring does not have an underlayment, so you must purchase one separately. Even with the underlayment, TrafficMaster laminate is likely still less expensive than most other options. Like our best overall pick, this flooring can't be sanded or refinished like real wood flooring, so when it gets worn out or scratched, it will need to be replaced.
Price at time of publish: $24
Type: Laminate | Intended Room: All | Segment Dimensions: 47.64 x 8.03 x 0.7 inches
Best Bamboo
Cali Bamboo Click Bamboo Engineered Hardwood Flooring
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Lowes
Made of sustainable bamboo
Comes in a variety of stains
Extra dense and durable
Dent-resistant
Need to purchase underlayment separately
Bamboo flooring is gaining popularity as a low-cost alternative to more conventional hardwood floors because of its longevity, sustainability, and low investment. This engineered bamboo flooring from Cali Bamboo has a Janka hardness value of 5,000, which makes it very hard to dent. Its surface is resistant to scratches and appropriate for high foot traffic, thanks to seven layers of protective coating.
You can use various installation methods, including glue, floating over an underlayment, or nails. This is great if you have some experience with the floor installation and know what method is easiest for you and your specific situation. If you are new to floor installation or DIY projects, you might want to get the help of a pro to make sure that you choose the best method for long-term performance in your home.
All of their stained bamboo flooring selections are appealing, but the java stain is our favorite due to its warm appearance. What's more, the flooring is backed with a 50-year residential warranty.
Price at time of publish: $123
Type: Bamboo | Intended Room: All | Segment Dimensions: 72.875 x 5.3125 x 0.56 inches
Best Peel-and-Stick
TrafficMaster Carrara Marble Peel and Stick Vinyl Tile
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Home Depot
Requires no tools or adhesive
Affordable
Water-resistant
Easy cleaning
Not easily removed
Peel-and-stick tiles are a quick and simple way to update the appearance of your floor. This low-priced flooring option, made of vinyl with a strong adhesive backing, eliminates the need for grout and specialized equipment during installation. If you're seeking an inexpensive alternative to marble, check out these peel-and-stick tiles from TrafficMaster that mimic the look of the stone. Clocking in just below $1.50 per square foot, each tile measures 12 x 12 inches and can be easily trimmed to fit any area. The tiles are water-resistant and simple to clean; all that is required is regular sweeping and damp-mopping.
These peel-and-stick tiles may be installed over most existing flooring with little damage to the subfloor. What’s more, the flooring has a residential wear-through warranty of 30 years.
Price at time of publish: $42
Type: Vinyl | Intended Room: All | Segment Dimensions: 12 x12 inches
Go for a stylish laminate floor like our top pick, the Pergo Outlast+ 7.48 in. W Graceland Oak Waterproof Laminate Wood Flooring. Waterproof and scratch-resistant, the flooring is ideal for households with both children and pets. Consider the MSI Woodland Alpine Mountain Rigid Core Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring if you're looking for a vinyl plank floor that mimics the beauty of real wood at a fraction of the cost. Waterproof and scratch-resistant, the flooring is ideal for households with both children and pets.
What to Look for in Cheap Flooring
Cost
When looking for affordable flooring, you’ll want to compare the cost per square foot of each material. Cheap flooring usually ranges from $1 to $2 per square foot, sometimes even less. The TrafficMaster Grey Oak Laminate Wood Flooring is the cheapest on our list, ringing up under $1 per square foot. Some pricier flooring options, like the Cali Bamboo Click Bamboo Engineered Hardwood Flooring, are still relatively inexpensive and can cost around $4 or $5 per square foot. Most of the time, they already have padding or other features that outweigh the cost.
Intended Room
These days, it's not uncommon to find different flooring materials throughout your home. Wood, ceramic tile, laminate, and vinyl are all examples of such materials. Some, like LVP, are more suitable for high-traffic areas, while others, like tile, are better suited for spaces that get a lot of dampness. We recommend the Shaw Trendsetter Aberdeen Click Lock Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring in the kitchen, since it's both water-resistant and extremely durable.
Wear
It's important to prioritize durability and low maintenance if there will be a lot of foot traffic in the home from people and animals. Vinyl and laminate are excellent options, because they are resilient and can withstand just about anything you can throw at them. Hardwood takes more upkeep but can be refinished several times to restore its beauty. When looking for low-cost flooring for an area that will be exposed to a lot of moisture or water, make sure to compare the moisture resistance of your options. Luxury vinyl plank or tile flooring is ideal for wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
Ease of Installation
If you plan to install the flooring yourself, you want to consider the ease of installation. Peel-and-stick flooring, like the TrafficMaster Carrara Marble Peel-and-Stick Vinyl Tile, is by far the easiest, since it has an adhesive backing that sticks to just about any subfloor without the need for additional tools. Click-lock or interlocking flooring is also easy to install because the planks fit together easily. Hardwood and tile are the hardest to put in because you need more tools and skills, but if you do it right, they look great and last a long time.
Durability
Just like considering daily wear, you’ll also want to consider how durable you need your floors to be. If you move a lot of heavy items, look for flooring that is resistant to denting and scratching, like luxury vinyl flooring.
Water Resistance
If you are installing flooring in a space that gets a lot of moisture, such as a bathroom, choosing flooring that won’t warp, peel, or crack is key. Look for flooring, like tile or vinyl, that is 100% waterproof and creates a moisture barrier to further protect the subfloor underneath. The Marazzi Travisano Trevi Porcelain Floor and Wall Tiles offer excellent resilience against water, but keep in mind that the seams between tiles or planks may provide an entry point and allow water to seep down to the subfloor.
Pet Resistance
When choosing flooring for a home with pets, special consideration must be taken. Pets can have accidents, track in mud and dirt, and scratch floors when they run and play, so you'll want to look for flooring that can handle water and is resistant to dents and scratches from claws. Vinyl floors are resistant to water, making them a great alternative to organic flooring that can lift with potty incidents. The best part is that if your furry friend destroys them beyond repair, they are easy to replace, unlike other flooring.
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Can a DIYer install cheap flooring?
Flooring is one of the easier projects to tackle as a DIYer, because you typically don’t need a lot of equipment. However, it will require some knowledge, skill, and planning to accomplish. When choosing a floor type, take a look at the manufacturer’s recommended method of installation. If you want to try installing your own flooring, look for something that has interlocking planks or adhesive backing. Although you can save money by installing inexpensive flooring, you should keep in mind that the quality of the installation will affect the flooring's longevity and durability.
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Can you install cheap flooring over an existing floor?
Some flooring can be put directly over your existing floor, but it depends on the type and condition of the existing flooring. “As long as the existing floor is flat, smooth, and not popping up, you can install new flooring over [it],” David Klappenberger, founder of Klappenberger & Son. If the subfloor is damaged or uneven, it may need to be fixed or replaced before the new flooring is put down.
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How do you need to prepare to install cheap flooring?
Floor preparation, as specified by the manufacturer, is essential for getting optimal results. For flooring like bamboo, it's important to put it out the night before so it can fully adjust to the temperature and humidity of where it will go. Cleaning the subfloor thoroughly or installing an underlayment is necessary before installing vinyl or laminate flooring.
“Regardless of the quality of the flooring, make sure the floor is smooth and secure,” said Klappenberger. “In most cases, you will install an underlayment [to] create a moisture and sound barrier.”
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Katie Melynn, a freelance writer specializing in home and family products. Melynn has been writing for The Spruce since 2019. When researching the best flooring, she looked at user reviews and features that make it extra-durable. She also got expert insight from David Klappenberger, founder of Klappenberger & Son, who has over 30 years of professional experience with home renovation and repairs.