Replacing carpet with laminate costs $4 to $9 per square foot installed, or about $1,200 to $2,700 for a 300 square foot room. That makes it the least expensive hard-surface swap available, roughly half the cost of hardwood. The material itself is $1.50 to $4 per square foot, and the single decision that determines whether it lasts eight years or twenty is the wear layer rating, not the price.
What it costs
| Item | Per sq ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Laminate plank | $1.50 to $4.00 | AC3 for bedrooms, AC4 or AC5 for main living areas |
| Underlayment | $0.30 to $0.80 | Attached pad is convenient but thinner |
| Carpet removal and disposal | $1.00 to $2.00 | Includes tack strip and staples |
| Installation labor | $2.00 to $4.00 | Floating click-lock, faster than hardwood |
| Transitions and trim | $100 to $400 per room | Doorways and height changes |
Laminate is a floating floor, meaning it is not fastened to the subfloor, so the install is quicker than hardwood and the labor line is lower.
The one spec that matters
Laminate is rated on an AC scale for abrasion resistance. AC3 is fine for a bedroom and will disappoint you in a hallway. AC4 handles main living areas. AC5 is commercial grade. The price difference between AC3 and AC4 is often under a dollar per square foot, and it is the best dollar in the whole project.
The second spec is thickness. Eight millimeter is the common entry point, twelve millimeter feels and sounds considerably more solid underfoot. On a slightly uneven subfloor the thicker plank also bridges better.
Where laminate is the wrong choice
Laminate has a fibreboard core, which means standing water is its enemy. Water-resistant laminates have improved a great deal, but a full bathroom, a laundry room or a basement that has ever taken water is a job for luxury vinyl plank instead. See carpet vs vinyl plank for that comparison.
The other place it disappoints is resale perception in an upper-tier home, where buyers expect engineered hardwood in the main rooms. In that case see replacing carpet with hardwood.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace carpet with laminate?
$4 to $9 per square foot installed, roughly $1,200 to $2,700 for a 300 square foot room, including carpet removal and disposal.
Is laminate cheaper than vinyl plank?
Usually slightly, though the ranges overlap heavily. Laminate often wins on the feel and look of the surface at a given price, and vinyl plank wins on water resistance.
What AC rating do I need for laminate?
AC3 for bedrooms and low-traffic rooms, AC4 for hallways, kitchens and main living areas, AC5 only if you want commercial durability. The cost difference between AC3 and AC4 is small and worth paying.
Can laminate go over an existing floor?
Over a flat, solid floor such as vinyl sheet or tile, often yes, which saves demolition. It cannot go over carpet, and the height change at doorways still has to be handled.
How long does laminate flooring last?
Eight to twelve years at AC3 in moderate use, fifteen to twenty-five at AC4 or AC5. Water exposure, not foot traffic, is what usually ends it early.
Comparing laminate against vinyl or hardwood? Come stand on all three at our Derwood showroom. They photograph alike and feel nothing alike. Call (301) 939-0009 or book a showroom visit.