Several flooring options are in the market, but the type you select will depend on your preference, style, and level of traffic. Depending on your budget, you may buy laminate, vinyl, or wood floors. Each of these flooring options has different sizes and weights, which dictate their durability, among other factors.
So, how much does flooring weigh? A box of laminate flooring containing about 20 square feet will weigh 30 pounds. Vinyl weighs about 2.3 pounds per square foot, with each box containing about 20 square feet. Hence, a vinyl box will weigh up to 46 pounds in total. Wood flooring has different variations per square foot depending on the type of wood, but most weight ranges between 1.5 to 3.8 pounds per square foot. Hardwood flooring is the heaviest, and most have weights of up to 3.8 pounds.
Whether renovating your home or finishing your new house, choosing the correct type of flooring should be your priority. The flooring will reflect your style and personality and choosing one that meets your needs will turn your home into a classy and cozy space for years.
Part of the considerations during purchase is the weight of the flooring, and I will help you get it right by letting you know how much each flooring option weighs and the implications of the weight on its durability.
Vinyl plank flooring weighs 2-2.3 pounds per square foot. Vinyl is available in thicknesses between 3 mm and 5 mm, with each box having 18-30 square feet of this flooring. Hence, a box of vinyl planks will weigh over 40 pounds. On the other hand, laminate weighs 1-1.5 pounds per square foot. Thus, a box containing 18-35 square feet of laminate will weigh 30-35 pounds.
Laminate is available in different types, and each type will weigh differently. No matter the weight, laminate boasts high durability, easy installation, cleaning, and affordability. Examples of laminate flooring include the Pergo laminate flooring, weighing between 1 and 1.5 pounds per square foot.
Each of the Pergo laminate boxes can hold between 18-45 square feet, hence a weight of 18-45 pounds per box depending on the square footage inside. Mohawk laminate flooring weighs like Pergo, but the difference is in their packaging. The Mohawk laminate flooring has 18-30 square feet per box, hence 18-30 pounds per box.
On average, laminate flooring will contain 20 square feet of flooring in a box. Thus, like in vinyl, you can determine the number of boxes you need for your house. To do this, divide the total area of the space you intend to do the installation by 20. You should add an extra 10 -20% to the total area to cater for waste.
Vinyl flooring is available in different types, with each weighing differently depending on the square feet per box. This type of flooring is water-resistant, affordable, and durable. It also has a variety of designs that can match your taste.
Examples of vinyl plank flooring include the LifeProof and smart core. The LifeProof flooring contains 20.06 ft per box, each weighing 2.3 pounds, hence a box will weigh about 46 pounds. A box of the smart core vinyl plank will weigh up to 59.4 pounds.
On average, vinyl flooring will cover up to 30sq ft, but you can find smaller boxes depending on your needs. Hence, to determine how many boxes of vinyl flooring you need, divide the area of your space by 30 or the square footage on your box, then add 10% to cater for wastages.
A few factors will determine the weight when it comes to laminate and vinyl flooring. These include the length, width, thickness, and the number of planks in the box. The square footage is another consideration.
You can tell how much of the flooring you need in your space by estimating the square footage of your space and then dividing this area by that of your planks. While doing this, you should factor in the waste that may result from wrong estimations and add it to the total area.
Buying your flooring in excess rather than the exact quantity you need will save you in the future should you want to repair your floor and the pattern is out of stock on the market. With the excess material in your store, you will conveniently replace the damaged parts rather than uninstalling the whole flooring.
Laminate flooring is one of the amazing flooring options for its aesthetic features, usable in almost all settings. The versions of this flooring are available based on installation, imitation of certain materials, floor construction, texture, appearance pattern, AC rating, Gloss level, Edge type, and color.
Different kinds of laminate will weigh differently depending on their properties. The weight is likely to go higher with the addition of materials such as padding material, adhesive, and underlayment. Other factors that could also define the weight of your laminate flooring include the plank’s grade, thickness, and structure.
The structure of laminate is unaffected by its weight. Generally, laminate has three layers or four in some instances. These include the core, image, and wear layers. The core layer is rigid and mimics engineered wood, while the image layer is the photorealistic or decorative layer of your laminate.
If your flooring is wood laminate, the image layer will feature a wood grain image. The wear layer is usually plastic and guards the flooring against wear and fading. Some laminates will feature a fourth layer below the core layer.
This layer is mainly for comfort and soundproofing. Different manufacturers will have different versions of the above layers, and you can tell them apart by talking to them during purchase. Also, depending on the thickness of your laminate flooring, these layers will vary in size, hence the overall weight of your laminate.
How Much Does a Wood Floor Weigh?
Selecting wood flooring for your house or commercial space requires considerations beyond durability and space. While these factors matter, the weight is equally important in your purchase decision, as it guides you on how much you can put on your floor without causing it to collapse or wear out faster, especially in high-traffic areas.
Wood floors weigh approximately 1.5 pounds per square foot, but this weight will vary depending on their type and manufacturer. These flooring look like hardwood on the surface, but instead of one single wood plank, they have a high-quality plywood core and a thin hardwood layer on top. Due to this mix, wood floors are more affordable, but unlike hardwood, you cannot refinish them to extend their lifespan.
Wood floors are also identical to hardwood flooring since the tops of the planks have an actual hardwood topping. They are easier to install and maintain. However, their durability is lower than hardwood, explaining the differences in costs. Examples of wood floors include Hickory and pine.
Hickory is a wood floor with an 1820 score on the Janka hardness scale. Before the red oak variant found its way into the flooring industry, Hickory was the favorite option for most users. Nowadays, Hickory is common in engineered wood designs. It is available in 3.25 by 6.25 by 2 inches, with the lengths varying depending on the manufacturer. In terms of weight, Hickory can weigh up to 51 pounds per cubic foot.
Pine is another softwood flooring option suitable for your flooring projects. This flooring is affordable compared to other wood floorings. Homeowners also prefer this flooring for its classic patterns that easily blend with their home aesthetics. Pine is lightweight, with most weighing less than 20 pounds per square foot.
Contrary to popular opinion, wood floor is not fake wood but instead uses less hardwood, explaining its performance rank below the hardwood. The color and textures of these floors also vary from light oak to dark stains. The difference between wood floors and hardwood floors is more distinct when handling raw materials.
Hardwood planks are thicker and heavier than wood planks. The wood planks feature one or two layers thinner and lighter than the derivative wood products. With proper maintenance, both wood options will look good over the years.
Given the weight differences between a hardwood and wood floor, it will be ideal to pick a hardwood floor in high traffic areas, given its high density. The strength and hardness of a wood floor are vital to the density, also ranked by the Janka hardness test. A wood floor can last for up to 30 years, while a hardwood floor can last for generations with proper care and maintenance.
How Much Does Hardwood Floor Weigh?
Hardwood is a popular flooring option comprising solid wood. It is made of hardwood species such as walnut, maple, and oak, and its lifespan is significantly longer, giving room for sanding and refinishing.
Hardwood floors are heavier than ordinary wood floors, with the walnut, oak, and maple varieties weighing around 2.8 pounds, while the exotic hardwoods weigh 3.8 pounds per square foot. The weight of your wood flooring will vary depending on the hardwood species it is derived from. A hardwood flooring box will contain up to 20 square feet of the flooring, hence on average, each box will weigh 56 to 76 pounds.
Hardwood flooring does not feature a standard length in the boxes. Rather, you will find the boxes in a range of random sizes. However, these pieces should not be longer than 7 feet or shorter than 1 foot. Hence, the average length is between 3 and 3.5 feet.
Oak hardwood floors are available in white and red options. The white oak is popular for its resilience and durability and a 1360 hardness rating on the Janka scale. As the name suggests, this wood features a light tone, making it usable in modern home finishing.
A standard white oak flooring will have a varying thickness from 7mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, and 15mm and a weight of 2.8 pounds per square foot. The exotic type will be as heavy as 3.8 pounds. The red oak features a red tone that warms your floors. Its hardness scale is lower than white oak and weighs 2.8 pounds per square foot.
Maple features a scratch-resistant flooring option and is available in different weights. The soft maple weighs 39 pounds per cubic foot while the western maple weighs 35 pounds per cubic foot.
Walnut hardwood flooring presents a classical but sophisticated flooring option. It is available in both American and Brazilian varieties, with the Brazilian recording a higher hardness rate on the Janka scale. The Walnut hardwood weighs up to 38 pounds per box, with each box having 19.42 square feet.
The weight of the Bruce hardwood flooring is dependent on the manufacturer. On average, this flooring will weigh 1.5 pounds per square foot, with each box containing 18-30 square feet. On average, a box of Bruce hardwood will contain 20 square feet of flooring, and the box will weigh about 30 pounds.
Teak is another example of the oldest hardwood flooring in the market. This flooring is durable, hence ideal in high-traffic areas. In addition, it features a shiny finish that adds charm and elegance to your rustic space.
An average teak flooring will weigh up to 83.1 pounds. For trendy hardwood flooring, consider Ash. This flooring is useful in high traffic areas given its hardness, which can endure the pressure in busy spaces.
This flooring is available in different species, weighing 41 pounds per cubic foot. Given their source from trees, hardwood floors are an environmentally friendly option, and installing them in your home or commercial space will reduce the toxicity in the environment.
| Flooring | Weight per square foot | Weight per 20square foot box |
| Laminate | 1-1.5 | 20-30 |
| Vinyl | 2-2.3 | 40-46 |
| Wood | 1.5 | 30 |
| Hardwood | 2.8-3.8 | 56-76 |
Wrap Up
Many types of flooring are available in the market, including vinyl, laminate, and wood and hardwood floors. Each of these floorings features a different length, width, and thickness, affecting their weight. The weight is also dependent on the material and will affect the flooring’s durability. Laminate is the lightest of the above flooring options, while hardwood is the heaviest.
The weight of hardwood directly relates to its durability. Hence, hardwood floors can last for generations with proper maintenance, unlike other flooring options. To maintain your hardwood floor, you will refinish it once in a while. With other types of flooring, it is advisable to purchase an excess of the materials you need in case of a future renovation since they can last for years, after which your current style will run out of stock.
