Blog > Carpet or Hardwood: Which Flooring Option is Right for You?
Friday, September 22, 2023 2:40 PM
The flooring material you choose for your home determines the look and feel of the entire living space. The right flooring option depends on preferences and a comfortable environment for the whole family.
Among the many flooring options available today, carpet and hardwood are the most popular. These two flooring options are unique and suitable for different areas in a home. If you need help deciding which one to choose, this post is for you.
Here, you’ll find factual information guiding your selection between the two. This article will give an overview of each one, highlight their pros and cons, and discuss how they accommodate different parts of a home.
Carpet flooring is made from natural fibers like cotton and wool or synthetic materials like nylon and polyester. The production process involves threading fibers together to create a soft flooring solution sold in different lengths and sizes.
Carpets come in various colors and patterns providing endless options for buyers to choose from. Before purchasing any appealing carpets, you must first evaluate their advantages and disadvantages.
Due to its soft production materials, carpet flooring offers a comfortable and homey feel. Its smooth surface makes it safe for children to play on and prevents less injuries by cushioning the impact. Additionally, carpet flooring dampens sound, reducing noise levels in the room, making it ideal for apartments with shared walls and high foot traffic.
Lastly, laying carpet is one of the easiest ways to insulate your living space during cold seasons. Since carpet is an organic insulator, the tiny fibers in carpet flooring trap air and increase thermal insulation.
However, while most carpets effectively retain heat, not all carpets are the same. The level of insulation depends on the R-value.
The R-value measures the level of insulation for carpet padding as well as the amount of thermal resistance of heat between other surfaces. The higher the value the greater the insulation. Investing in carpet is a great way to reduce energy costs during cold seasons.
While carpet is widely known for being inexpensive, it is susceptible to wear and tear in the long term. In high-traffic locations the material worsens as the color fades, fibers snag, and appears unclean. Furthermore, carpets harbor micro-bacteria and dust triggering people suffering from allergies.
Finally, carpet flooring is time-consuming to clean and can be high maintenance with frequent vacuuming and deep cleaning (based on the thickness of your carpet). If placed in damper areas of a home, carpet tends to retain moisture leading to molding or bad odor. This could also negatively impact allergy-prone individuals.
As its name suggests, hardwood flooring is made from different high-quality wood species, including timber, oak, and ash. With its production materials coming primarily from wood, hardwood flooring is solid and rigid, offering extreme durability for over an extended period of time.
There are two major types of hardwood flooring: engineered hardwoods and solid hardwoods. Solid hardwood is made up of entirely solid wood from the same tree or species.
In contrast, engineered hardwood floors contain a collection of wood pieces imitating real hardwood. This kind of flooring is considered to be strong and more durable than solid hardwood.
There are faux-woods like bamboo, vinyl, or laminate flooring which provide an alternative look with varying costs. While this is promising, the pros and cons of hardwood will determine the necessary materials needed for this project.
If you're thinking long-term, investing in hardwood flooring is the best decision. It can last for decades, provided you ensure proper maintenance practices.
Secondly, whether you choose engineered hardwood flooring or solid hardwood flooring, both add increased value to your home. Today, many buyers prefer the modern appeal of houses with hardwood flooring. This serves as a way to get a higher value for your home if deciding to renovate before putting it up for sale.
Furthermore, hardwood flooring is easy to clean. The low maintenance job requires a routine sweep and vacuum schedule. Another advantage of hardwood flooring is the refinishing process. While the need to refinish depends on the quality of the hardwood, it's an added advantage. Whatever the case, you can refinish your hardwood flooring whenever it's losing its pristine appeal.
High-quality hardwood flooring is expensive, with some of the material selling for $6 to $12 per square foot. It is unsuitable for buyers working with a tight budget for renovations.
Secondly, hardwood flooring can withstand a small percentage of water droplets, it is not water resistant. Hardwood flooring is prone to water damage. A large quantity of water can destroy the structural integrity of hardwood flooring. The wood begins to lose color and become weaker over time. It will need to be replaced if the difference is extensive.
Hardwood surfaces can be noisy and loud. While there are effective ways to reduce the noise, this may become costly as this requires more materials such as underlayment padding and labor. Lastly, hardwood flooring is susceptible to scratches over time from sliding furniture and pet nails. After some time, the appearance of the floor tends to look dull and tattered.
Determining which of the flooring types is suitable for your home depends on certain factors: budget, style, value, and location. This section explains how these factors differentiate for carpet and hardwood flooring.
Budget is a crucial consideration in determining your home's flooring type. Between carpet and hardwood flooring, hardwood is typically costlier. The average cost of hardwood floors per square foot is $8, while it is $3 for carpets. Additionally, you must factor in the costs to install hardwood whether it is free or paid labor.
It is possible to install carpet by yourself, but you may require professional services for quality hardwood installation. However, if you consider durability, the cost of buying and installing hardwood may be worth it in the long term.
Both carpet and hardwood flooring provide versatile options for all preferences. They each have endless color and patterns as well as several finishes and designs.
In terms of style, both offer an array of choices which makes it difficult to choose. The final decision depends entirely on preference. Nonetheless, most people tend to select carpet flooring because of its stylistic range and flexibility.
As previously mentioned, investing in hardwood flooring adds more value to your home. Hardwood flooring is more desirable and sought after compared to carpet flooring. Its durability and easy maintenance offers a home a unique and modern value that makes it more appealing to new buyers.
The unique nature of carpet and hardwood flooring makes each suitable for different locations of a home. Carpet flooring cushions, soundproofing, and insulates, making it ideal for bedrooms, playrooms, basements, and offices. On the other hand, hardwood flooring is easy to maintain, durable, and modern, making it ideal for entryways, kitchens, dining, and high-traffic spaces.
After further evaluation, the right flooring type depends on your budget, location, style, and longevity. So before you purchase any of the two, evaluate each factor in respects to your individual or familial needs.
At Bridgeport Carpets, we provide a wide range of flooring collections fit for any household or style. Contact us to find out more!
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857 McFarland Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30004
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