Vinyl or Linoleum Flooring Cost
The average cost to install sheet vinyl or linoleum falls between $788 and $2,641, while the national average is $1,682. The costs will vary according to the quality and type of vinyl or linoleum you select. Sheet linoleum costs about $4 per square foot to install while sheet vinyl costs around $3 per square foot. Installing luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) or planks (LVP) costs considerably more at $7 per square foot.. Linoleum tile averages just under $5.50 per square foot, including installation.
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Vinyl Flooring Cost Calculator
National Average
$1,682
Typical Range
$788 - $2,641
Low End - High End
$300
-
$5,695
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Cost data is based on actual project costs as reported by 2,724 HomeAdvisor members in .
| Type | Per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|
| Sheet | $0.50-$2.00 |
| LVP | $2.50-$5.00 |
| LVT | $2.50-$5.00 |
| Commercial Sheet | $1.00-$2.00 |
| Commercial Luxury | $3.00-$5.00 |
This synthetic material comes in three different forms, ranging from ultra-affordable to high-end, even approaching the cost of natural wood. Its durability will depend on the quality of materials and the strength of the top wear layer.
Sheet vinyl flooring averages between $0.50 to $2 per square foot for materials.
- Pros: It's the most affordable of your vinyl options. Highly scratch and stain resistant. Waterproof, which makes it excellent for high-moisture areas. Has fewer seams during installation.
- Cons: Due to its affordability, it's generally not good for your home's value. When damaged, entire sheets must be replaced. Potentially high VOC emission ratings.
Luxury vinyl plank floorboards cost $2.50 to $5 per square foot.
- Pros: Makes a great faux wood floor. Can be reinforced with urethane, making it stain and scratch-resistant. Can also be installed over an existing floor without needing to be nailed or glued down.
- Cons: Can't be refinished. Long planks are harder to replace than LVT. Could have high VOC emissions.
Luxury vinyl tiles cost $2.50 to $5 per square foot.
- Pros: Great for moisture-prone areas. Tile shape is ideal to replicate stone tiles. Also comes as faux wood tiles. The top layer can be reinforced with urethane, making it even more resistant to stains and scratches. Its smaller tiles are easier to replace than LVP or sheet vinyl.
- Cons: This material can't be refinished. Check each product for VOC emission scores.
If you're deciding between luxury vinyl and laminate wood flooring, consult our Comparison Guide to see which material is right for your home.
Commercial grade vinyl floor materials average between $1 and $5 per square foot.
- Pros: Specifically designed to withstand high traffic. Uses a special coating that can take a lot of beating. The photographic layer contains exquisite Hi-Fi printed images. Comes in ultra-realistic designs.
- Cons: Generally, the most expensive option. Once the top layer wears down, it can't be refinished.
| Type | Per Sq. Ft. |
|---|---|
| Tiles | $3.50 |
| Sheet/Roll | $2.00-$2.50 |
| Commercial Grade | $3.50-$5.00 |
This material has been around since the 1880s and readily available to the public since the 1940s. Here are the costs broken down per product type.
Linoleum tiles average about $3.50 per square foot, not including installation.
- Pros: Can click and snap together for easy installation. Can be installed without glue or nails over an existing floor. Warmer and softer than vinyl. Different colored tiles can be arranged into attractive patterns. Doesn't emit VOCs, which makes them better for the environment. Tiles are also easier to replace.
- Cons: The linseed oil in the tiles has a strong smell that can last for a few weeks after installation.
Sheets of linoleum average $2 to $2.50 per square foot.
- Pros: Eco-friendly flooring is made of renewable components. Water-resistant, durable, and has fewer seams. The most affordable type of linoleum.
- Cons: If it gets damaged, entire sheets must be replaced. Linseed oil emits a strong smell for a few weeks after installation.
Commercial grade linoleum flooring costs $3.50 to $5 per square foot.
- Pros: More affordable than commercial vinyl. Designed to hold up to high traffic, scratches, and stains. Made of renewable components that make it eco-friendly and free of VOC emissions.
- Cons: It can't be refinished. The linseed oil smells.
Consult with a pro before purchasing materials
Vinyl flooring contractors charge about $36 per hour, or an average of $3.00-$10.00 per square foot for labor, not including the cost of materials.
For this price, flooring installers can:
- Shop for all your materials, sometimes at a discount.
- Remove your old floor (if applicable).
- Install your new floor.
- Dispose of old construction materials.
Though the costs of hiring a contractor may seem high, it's preferable to use a professional if you have any doubt in successfully completing the project on your own.
Labor for linoleum installation costs around $36 per hour, but projects can also be priced by the job. Removing and disposing of an old floor, laying underlayment, measuring the tiles and caulking will add hours to the job.
Installing this material is a project that's best reserved for experienced DIYers or professional contractors. It requires precision cutting, special tools, accurate measurements, the right materials, and expertise to install it correctly the first time.
Hire a flooring pro for your installation
Removing the existing flooring averages $32 per hour and can take as long as 16 hours to take care of a 2,500 square foot area, totaling $512. Installing a new floor costs $36 per hour. To do a thorough job for a 2,500 square foot area, it can take a few days even for an experienced contractor. If the floor isn't "floating" or requires some extra steps to make right, the job can take up to 130 hours, totaling about $4,700.
Therefore, the labor costs for a 2,500 square foot area can cost up to $5,000, and that's without figuring the cost of the materials themselves. However, if you're doing smaller rooms or individual areas of the house or install floating floors, you won't spend nearly as much.
Accuracy and expertise are key when working with your floors. All materials must be measured well to fit the dimensions of your interior. You'll need to use a jigsaw to cut irregular shapes and corners. You'll also need to seal and secure these floors well with caulk, adhesives, an underlayment, insulation, flooring trim, molding, and whatever else the project requires.
Aesthetic Concerns
Both materials come in a wide variety of prints and colors. However, the designs on vinyl are only on the surface layer. Over time, the colors and designs wear down and fade. Linoleum is colorfast, which means that the colors and designs go through multiple layers. This allows the material to wear easily without losing its vibrancy.
Both types are easy to clean with some sweeping, vacuuming or some in-depth TLC with a manufacturer-approved cleaner. The only difference is that vinyl can be mopped and scrubbed at will, but linoleum should never be immersed in water. Scrubbing it is discouraged as well. Instead, linoleum can be gently mopped with a special cleaner, which costs around $25 per gallon. After mopping, the material must be dried to prevent any moisture damage.
Water Concerns
Vinyl is completely waterproof and is ideal for any room. This includes kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. It also means that flooring installed on a second level will not get saturated and leak onto the floors below. Linoleum is considered water-resistant but not waterproof. Therefore, flooding can easily ruin linoleum. It's also susceptible to moisture damage and thus needs to be resealed every year. Humidity is another possible cause of damage and excessive amounts can cause it to curl and warp. The potential maintenance and repair costs of these two materials should also be considered. Linoleum tiles that are damaged must be removed and replaced individually, while the other tiles should be checked for damage to be safe.
Kitchens, Bathrooms & Basements
Since vinyl is waterproof, you can install it in moisture-prone places like the kitchen, bathroom, and basement with confidence. Since basements get cold, you should consider adding an insulated underlayment to keep it from feeling uncomfortable under bare feet.
Linoleum isn't waterproof, which means that it isn't the best floor for bathrooms or basements, where water is likely to cause problems. Kitchens are less likely to deal with water seeping up from below. Therefore, if you clean up spills as soon as they happen and reseal the floor annually, linoleum should stand up to the demands of a moderately used kitchen. It is up to your discretion if you'd rather use waterproof vinyl instead, however.
Eco-Friendly
Because vinyl is made of PVC, it's considered a petrochemical product, which is generally considered a nonrenewable resource. However, recent developments in manufacturing have made PVC, which is a #3 plastic, recyclable. You can check with your local recycling centers to see if PVC is an approved plastic, or you can also contact Armstrong Flooring's On&On LVT/LVP recycling program. On the other hand, linoleum is considered eco-friendlier as itÂ’s made of more natural materials like linseed oil and other organic components.
In the past, there have been concerns about VOCs released after the installation as well as concerns about the plants that manufacture vinyl. Thankfully, manufacturers have listened to the voices of consumers and have been developing types of vinyl floors that emit little to no VOCs. For more information, check the product's Floorscore before purchasing. Linoleum is biodegradable and made from both natural and renewable resources, so it doesn't have any significant manufacturing concerns.
Additional Costs
Vinyl requires a smooth surface for adhesive purposes. Many vinyl floor applications are self-adhesive, but if the installation is to be over an existing floor or another surface that is not smooth, an underlayment will be required. This is usually about one layer of 1/4-inch plywood. The vinyl is installed over that. Underlay or extra adhesive can add costs to vinyl installations.
The extra costs in linoleum usually come from the sealant. Linoleum needs to be sealed after installation and will need to be sealed regularly in the years after to protect it from moisture.
Talk to a pro about which flooring is right for you
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One of the hidden costs of flooring installation is the trim and molding. These thin pieces cover any gaps and conceal imperfections after the floor has been secured. They also create a continuous look by uniting the floor with the rest of the interior. You have two options for dealing with trim:
- You can remove and reinstall your current trim. This is naturally the cheapest option and only costs the labor to reinstall, which is roughly $36 per hour.
- You can install new trim to maximize the beauty of your new floor. Costs average at $320 for a 100-200 sf area, and up to $620 for a 400-500 sf space. However, prices will fluctuate depending on the type of trim you use and how much area you're covering.
Here are just a few of the trim options you have:
- Threshold/Baby Molding: Covers the gap between one floor to the next, floors of different heights, and doorways.
- Flush Stair Nose: Used to wrap around the edges of stairs or around elevated floors.
- Reducer Strip: Serves as a transitioning piece that's like the threshold/baby molding.
- Quarter Round Molding: Covers unsightly seams between and baseboards or any other vertical fixture.
- T-Molding: Another piece that makes smoother transitions.
Each homeowner may have different needs and preferences for the area where the flooring is being installed. Talk to a contractor about the price difference for each option and what each trim has to offer your home.
Decorative Trim
The primary reason for installing trim is to hold a flooring installation in place, but that doesn't mean decorative trim won't add a nice touch to your home. Decorative trims come in many colors, textures, and finishes. Finding the right one can act as an aesthetic transition from your floor to a door, another room, or improve its appearance against the wall.
Note: Since you may need to replace the trim anyway, this is the perfect time to consider installing wainscoting or ornamental molding!
Get quotes from local flooring pros
If you have enough experience, you can save on labor costs by installing the floor yourself. With labor amounting to as much as $36 per hour, this can make up a savings of $5,000 if you're talking about a 2,500-square foot area. However, there are other considerations that you should note such as safety, the availability of the right tools, and the quality of the job. Doing the project alone also means you'll probably be taking a longer time compared to hiring a contractor (unless you get some help).
When you hire a pro, you can get a team to help you that brings all the right tools on-site. They'll install everything correctly the first time and give a convenient means to remove and dispose of any previous materials. Ultimately, it's up to you if you want to save some money at the expense of time spent and the risk of an improper installation.
DIY Tools & Materials
The right tools make all the difference if you want your DIY job to be successful. As always, it's best to contact a flooring professional to make sure the job is done right.
Sheet Vinyl/Linoleum Tools & Materials:
- Putty knife set - $7
- Notched trowel- used to spread embossing leveler - $20
- Steel hand roller- to press down flooring - $20
- Utility knife - $5
- Tape measure - $15
- Handsaw - $18
- Masking tape - $11
- Average cost of flooring ($2/sf) - $1,000 for 500 sf
- Adhesive - $26 for 500 sf worth
- Underlayment - $26.97/roll that covers 500 sf
- Caulking/patching compound - $52 for 2 gallons. Cover 2,000 linear feet
- Total Cost of DIY Materials and Tools: about $1,200
LVP, LVT, or linoleum tiles Tools & Materials:
- Hammer - $10
- Utility Knife - $5
- Notched Trowel- To spread embossing leveler - $20
- Carpenter's Square- measures right angles - $10
- Tape Measure - $15
- Goggles - $10
- Sponge - $5
- Pencil - $1
- LVT, LVP or linoleum tile average cost ($5/sf) - $2,500 for 500 sf
- Solvent- to remove old adhesive - $15
- Cleaner - $20/gallon
- Underlayment - $26/roll for 500 sf
- Embossing leveler- to even out subfloor - $600 ($24/gallon, 25 gallons for 500 sf)
- Total Cost of DIY Materials and Tools - around $3,300
DIY Cost vs. Hiring a Contractor
- Cost of hiring a contractor for sheet vinyl or linoleum: $2,200
- DIY cost of installing sheet vinyl or linoleum: $1,200
- Cost of hiring a contractor for LVT/LVP/Linoleum tile: $5,000
- DIY cost of installing LVT/LVP/Linoleum tile: $3,300
Tips for Hiring Contractors
If you're looking to hire a contractor, it's best to shop around and get about 3 quotes. Make sure that the professional you plan to hire is experienced and has good online reviews. For more tips on hiring the right contractor, consult these 10 steps to hiring service professionals.
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