Ottawa is a strong hardwood market, and it divides between refinishing original floors in the Glebe, Westboro, Old Ottawa South and Hintonburg and installing new engineered hardwood in the suburbs. The climate consideration is significant: Ottawa's winters are the driest in Ontario, and solid hardwood without humidification will gap noticeably. Many Ottawa homes already have furnace humidifiers, which makes solid hardwood more viable here than the raw climate numbers suggest. Confirm yours works before committing.
What hardwood flooring costs in Ottawa
| Area | Supply & install | Labour only |
|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft, a bedroom | $1,800–$3,600 | $700–$1,400 |
| 500 sq ft, a living and dining area | $4,500–$9,000 | $1,750–$3,500 |
| 1000 sq ft, a typical main floor | $9,000–$18,000 | $3,500–$7,000 |
| 1500 sq ft, a whole upper and main level | $13,500–$27,000 | $5,250–$10,500 |
Before tax, for a standard job in Ottawa. Ontario quotes add 13% HST on both materials and labour. Removal of old flooring ($1–2.50/sq ft), subfloor levelling ($1–4/sq ft where needed), stairs (per step) and baseboards ($2–5 per linear foot) are quoted separately. See the full hardwood cost guide for what drives the price.
About hardwood flooring
Solid and engineered hardwood — including Canadian maple, oak, birch and hickory — adds warmth and lasting value to any home. Our experts install site-finished and prefinished floors and can sand and refinish your existing hardwood.
Solid Hardwood
¾″ solid planks nailed over a plywood subfloor. Can be refinished many times over decades. Best above grade in climate-controlled homes.
Engineered Hardwood
A real-wood wear layer over a stable plywood or HDF core. Handles Canadian humidity swings better than solid wood and can be installed over concrete and in basements.
Refinishing & Repairs
Bring existing floors back to life with dustless sanding, staining and durable water-based finishes.
Where we install hardwood in Ottawa
Centretown & The GlebeWestboroKanataOrleansBarrhavenNepeanOld Ottawa SouthHintonburgRiverside SouthStittsvilleAlta VistaManotick
Hardwood flooring questions from Ottawa
01Will hardwood gap in an Ottawa winter?
Solid hardwood will, unless the house holds 35 to 45 percent humidity. Ottawa's indoor air falls to 15 to 20 percent without a humidifier. Engineered hardwood moves far less.
02Is refinishing worth it in an Ottawa century home?
Usually. Original maple and oak in the Glebe, Westboro and Old Ottawa South is often thick enough to sand and costs roughly half of replacement.
03How much does hardwood flooring cost in Ottawa?
Hardwood flooring runs about $9–18 per square foot installed in Ottawa, with labour alone at $3.5–7. A 1,000 square foot area therefore lands roughly between $9,000 and $18,000 before tax. Ontario quotes add 13% HST on both materials and labour. Removal of the old floor, subfloor preparation, stairs and baseboards are quoted separately.
04Do you have hardwood installers across Ottawa?
Yes. Flooring Local installers cover all of Ottawa, including Centretown & The Glebe, Westboro, Kanata, Orleans and the surrounding communities. Every request includes a free in-home measure and a written quote with materials and labour listed separately.
Hardwood in Ottawa
Service areaAll of Canada — matched to an expert near you
HoursMonday – Friday · 8am – 6pm (local time)
Saturday · 9am – 4pm (local time)
Sunday · Closed · online requests 24/7
Other materials in Ottawa
VinylLaminateCarpetTileCommercialGreen FlooringStairs & TrimAll flooring in Ottawa →
Hardwood in other cities
TorontoMontrealVancouverCalgaryEdmontonWinnipegMississaugaSurreyHamilton
The right floor changes how a room feels. The right installer changes how the whole project feels.Start a free quote