Not a lot of people realise just how expensive hardwood flooring is until they see that it is eating up a large portion of their renovation project. But what you have to know is that you don’t have to sacrifice having nice good-looking floors just because you can’t afford to lay down hardwood flooring in your house. Here are the 10 best low-cost hardwood flooring alternatives.

Laminate Flooring

One of the most popular and least expensive flooring choices that is a close match to hardwood flooring is laminate. Laminate has been around for a long time and there are many different types that you can choose. It is one of the best things that you can choose if you have pets and kids. As it is such a popular flooring option, there are so many different styles you can choose from, so it will match every style possible.

Bamboo Flooring

Another really popular and beautiful flooring option that is a close second to hardwood flooring is bamboo flooring. As it is an unusual material, people often think that it is more expensive than your usual hardwood but that is not the case. It is not only less expensive but it is also more durable and some even say it is better looking. If you are set on having hardwood floors but are just not able to fit them into your budget, bamboo floors are the most similar option you can go with.

Porcelain Tiles

For those who don’t want to lay down vinyl in your home but you are still looking for a flooring option that will fit your budget, why not go for porcelain tiles. They are an amazing option if you are looking for a very durable yet classy option. If you are someone who is good at handy work, you can save even more money by laying down the tiles yourself. There are many different tutorials that can help you do it professionally.

Cork Flooring

If you are looking for a cheaper option than hardwood flooring but also a more eco-friendly option, the best thing is that you can choose cork flooring. It is an amazing renewable and natural product that you can also install all by yourself. Cork is easy to maintain, attractive and very quiet underfoot, so it makes it a perfect flooring option for those who have kids or pets. Most people will opt for cork flooring in their kitchens as well as living rooms or even playrooms. Installing it is a hassle-free job that you can do yourself with minimal tools.

Concrete Floors

For those who are looking for a more modern hardwood floor alternative, one of the best things that you can choose is concrete floors. But many people don’t realise that over the last couple of years, concrete has evolved and it is being incorporated into home designs more and more. It comes to many people as a surprise when they see how elegant it can look. Concrete is such a versatile flooring option and it is very durable. The only downside to this option is that it is not the best solution for families that have kids or the elderly.

Carpet Floors

One of the most popular options that people end up choosing is carpet. But there are so many different types of carpets that you can go for. It has a wide range of different quality levels, materials and on top of that, it will last you over a decade if you take proper care of it. It is one of the best things that you can choose if you have elderly and kids in your home as it is soft underfoot, it can cushion falls and it dampens sound very well. But the only downside to carpets is that it shows wear and tear more than hardwood floorings would.

There are a couple of things that you can choose from. Most people go with the wall to wall carpets as it can be much cheaper than getting many different sized carpets. But installing the wall to wall carpets means that you need to have a professional do it as it is not for the faint of heart. It is a multi-person job that takes a while. If that is not something that you like, you can peel and stick carpet tiles. It is much easier and less stressful to install than wall to wall carpets are. As the tiles are smaller you can install them relatively quickly. They come with adhesive backs and all you need to do is make sure that the floor is clean and lay them down. They are also super easy to tailor if you have a lot of corners or weird edges. It is a great option if you want to combine it with different carpets such as coir door mats or decorative area ones.

Plywood Planks

Another thing that many people don’t know about is the plywood planks. The construction-grade plywood is perfect for floors and it is one of the most affordable flooring options out there. There are a couple of ways you can go about this. You can remove your existing floors and refinish the plywood that is underneath or if you don’t have any or they are in bad shape you can purchase new ones. All you will need to do is cut the plywood into planks and refinish them to your desire. But whichever route you choose to go you will need to apply a hardy top coat so it can withstand the day to day foot traffic while creating an amazing one of a kind floor. Depending on your budget, there are different grades that you can choose.

Peel and Stick Tiles

If you like the look of tiles, but you don’t want to go through the hassle of installing them or calling a professional to do it, you can peel and stick tiles. Just like the carpet, all you need to do is ensure that your base is clean and stick the tiles on. There are so many different styles and types that you can choose to go for depending on what you want your space to look like. Because it is easy to clean and durable it is the best option for kitchens and bathrooms and it can be easily changed out of need. Just like most of these options, they come in different grades you can choose from based on your budget.

Sheet Vinyl

If you want something that looks exactly the same as hardwood floors, the best copycat out there is sheet vinyl. It is an affordable and very attractive active option that perfectly mimics the appearance of hardwood flooring. It will make the same statement, but it won’t have the same properties as well as feeling. Even enough sheet vinyl is very prone to scratches, its pros will overcome the cons. It doesn’t have a wide variety of colours but it does come in the most popular colours and patterns. The biggest reason why people opt for vinyl floors is their price. They can be up to three times less expensive than installing and buying hardwood floors. Vinyl is super simple to install and it lasts a long time even though it is a very cheap option. Even though it is quite simple to maintain, it doesn’t last as long as the real wooden floors would. It is not a replacement for hardwood floors, but it is a great alternative if you don’t have the budget to purchase the real one.

Update Your Existing Floors

If you always have hardwood floors, but you want to change them out because they are worn out, try updating them instead of getting new ones. If there is extensive damage to your floors the first thing that you should do is sand them down. The next thing that you should do is find a top coat that you like. The key to finding the perfect stain for your floors is to get a couple of samples and try them out before committing. You can do this project on your own and it will cost you less than any of the alternatives.

All the alternatives we have mentioned above have a similar appearance that will blend with your home perfectly and they are much cheaper than hardwood floors would be. But the biggest factors that you need to consider when you are choosing the alternative flooring options is the material that it is made out of and how it will match your lifestyle.