Meridian has a lot of newer homes with big open floor plans, and hardwood is still the floor people ask about when they want the real thing. Here’s what a hardwood install runs and what to know before you pick it.
Cost
Hardwood install labor runs $3.50–5.50 per square foot. Material is separate and varies a lot by species and grade — oak, maple, hickory, and wider planks all price differently — so the honest way to quote it is labor plus the material you pick.
Solid vs. engineered
Solid hardwood is one piece of wood all the way through. It can be sanded and refinished multiple times, which is why it lasts for decades. Engineered hardwood has a real wood top layer over a stable core — it handles moisture swings better and works over concrete slabs, where solid hardwood doesn’t belong. For most Meridian homes on a slab foundation, engineered is the practical pick. For a second story or a wood subfloor, solid is on the table.
The process
The wood acclimates in your house first so it doesn’t shrink or gap after install. Then it goes down, and depending on whether it’s prefinished or site-finished, there’s either a final sand and finish step or it’s ready to walk on right away. Either way, the subfloor has to be flat — that’s the part that decides whether the floor feels solid or hollow underfoot.
Why hardwood over LVP
LVP is cheaper and tougher against water. Hardwood is the real thing, it refinishes instead of replacing, and it holds its value in a way no synthetic floor does. If you’re staying in the house, that’s the tradeoff that matters.
More on our hardwood install service: https://boisehomeflooring.com/hardwood-installation/
And our Meridian flooring page: https://boisehomeflooring.com/meridian-id-flooring-installation/