Carpet vs Wood Floor: The Pros and Cons
Carpet currently holds second place according to sales in the $388 billion flooring market, closely followed by wood, vinyl floors, and other types of resilient flooring materials. Seamless flooring, which leads the pack, is mainly used for commercial applications.
So, it seems most homeowners are opting for one of these types of flooring. What do you do if you’re installing new flooring, and you can’t decide between the two, though?
You make a list of the pros and cons, that’s what! Keep reading for more information to help you decide on a carpet vs wood floor for your home’s interiors.
The Pros and Cons of Carpet floors
The obvious advantage of carpet flooring over wood is that it’s soft and warm underfoot. It offers great thermal insulation in cold climates and also helps dampen sound.
Carpet is much cheaper than hardwood, although some specialty carpets, such as those made of wool, come with a high price tag attached.
Carpet is also a much safer option than other types of floors when it comes to falls. If you have small children or elderly people living in your home, a cushioned landing on a carpet is much safer than falling on a hard floor.
On the downside, carpet is a lot harder to keep clean than wood is. It attracts pet dander and dust, and you’ll need to deep clean your carpet often if you have pets.
Some liquid stains can infiltrate deep into your carpet, where they’ll remain no matter how hard to try to remove them. Allergens can also make themselves permanently at home among your carpet fibers.
Some cheaper brands of carpet may off-gas noxious chemicals, although this is rare nowadays. The most unfortunate part about carpets is that they’re not recyclable.
If you don’t want your carpet to end up in a landfill, the best thing you can do with it is donate it to a pet shelter for bedding.
Wood Floors Pros and Cons
If you choose wood for your new floors, you’re in for substantial upfront costs. Hardwood floors can last for over 100 years, though, and they’re recyclable, too.
Wood floors are undeniably good-looking, and they can also increase the value of your home. While they’re not as soft and warm as carpet, they’re much less rigid than tile or stone.
The trouble with wood floors is maintenance. Although they’re easy to keep clean, you’ll need to conduct extensive repairs if your floor experiences scratches and scuffs.
Do You Need to Decide Between a Carpet vs Wood Floor?
Settling the carpet vs wood floor debate is a little easier if you’re refurbishing more than one room. Depending on your taste, you might prefer a warm, fluffy carpet in your bedroom, and elegant hardwood flooring in your living room.
Perhaps the sleek looks of a wood floor match your modern bedroom decor better, while an eye-catching carpet would look great in your dining room.
There’s no reason why you can’t use both types of flooring wherever they’re best suited in your home. Browse our blog for more ideas on how to get exactly what you want when it comes to home design.
