Flooring: Carpets vs. Hardwood

When it comes to home flooring, two options dominate the market: hardwood floors and wall-to-wall carpet. While personal preference may be the prevailing factor in most homes, each of these options comes with its own list of pros and cons.

Carpeting

With wall-to-wall carpeting, you can customize the space with a color and carpet you love. Installing carpet is also less expensive than installing hardwood floors, and the carpet provides a soft, cushiony surface that some prefer for their playrooms or children’s bedrooms.

Some also just enjoy walking on the warm, soft surface of carpet, and choosing their “perfect” carpet. With a variety of colors and loops available, the options are seemingly endless. Premium carpet materials like 100% wool are non-toxic, and handmade carpets provide an elegant artisan feel.

Carpeting absorbs sound better than many hardwood options, which is why it’s often used in the upper levels of a home. Carpeting may also prevent a fallen object from breaking and provide added insulation during the cold winter months.

With that said, there are many disadvantages to installing carpeting. One of the biggest is that carpeting is extremely prone to indoor pollution, and can be a nightmare for those who suffer from allergies. Even for those without allergies, indoor pollution can be irritating, as the carpeting serves as a breeding ground for pollen, pet dander, mold, dust, and mildew. Cleaning and vacuuming constantly won’t help much, as dirt will just hide in between the carpet and its backing. Shampooing your carpet can even encourage mold.

Another downside to carpeting is that it simply doesn’t last as long as hardwood floors. Rugs will start to look worn in a few years, so they will probably need to be replaced within seven years or so.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are often seen as a true investment and are most often recommended by those who know the industry. While the installation of hardwood floors is more costly than carpeting, hardwood can last forever if it is taken care of. Hardwood floors may, however, need to be refinished every few years or so.

Because the finish that’s applied to the floorboards protects from dirt and mold penetration, hardwood floors allow for a much healthier and more “breathable” living environment.

Unlike many carpeting trends (think shag carpet), hardwood floors never go out of style. New looks, daring color, and customized style can be added to the room easily with the addition of area rugs. This means you can change the look of your home every season if you wanted to, or lay down special rugs for holidays or special celebrations.

Another consideration is that hardwood floors may not be as expensive as you think. If you are remodeling your home and currently have carpeting, hardwood floors may be underneath already so finishing them will likely cost less than installing more carpets. If you are planning on selling your home in the future, the hardwood floors will be a major selling point. Even if you are not planning on selling, you will save the cost of replacement carpeting in the future.

There are many different kinds of wood flooring, including soft woods, engineered wood, and exotic hardwoods, like Brazilian Cherry. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks; do your research before before making a decision.

The Bottom Line:

Carpets are soft and absorbent; hardwood floors last forever and can be adorned with area rugs at any time. The arguments for both sides are familiar. Ultimately, however, it may come down to personal taste and individual style. The smart carpet lover, though, may opt for hardwood floors underneath.

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