Many homeowners find themselves torn between choosing hardwood flooring or carpet and are unable to decide. The hardwood vs carpet debate is one that has been talked about for decades. So, how do you know which one is right for you?
Here’s what you need to know to settle the hardwood vs carpet:
Hardwood Flooring
People often go with hardwood flooring instead of carpet due to the number of benefits that come with it. However, keep in mind that hardwood flooring is far from perfect.
Pros of Hardwood Flooring
It gives off a luxurious vibe. Compared to carpeting, hardwood flooring is often seen as luxurious because it’s composed of high-quality material. If used in specific areas of a house, hardwood flooring can create a feeling of luxury. However, this does depend on what type of wood it is and how it’s finished.
It’s much easier to clean. One of the biggest drawbacks of carpet is how difficult it is to keep clean. That’s not the case with hardwood flooring. Due to the material, it’s made out of, it’s much easier to wipe up spilled drinks and other messes.
It can be refined. No matter how careful you are, the hardwood flooring can become dinged or nicked. Thankfully, it’s possible to buff out any damage that may occur.
Cons of Hardwood Flooring
It’s rather expensive. Due to the materials, it’s made out of and how long it takes to install, the cost of hardwood flooring is rather steep.
It’s a potential hazard. Some types of hardwood are slippery, which can cause a serious injury. Furthermore, parts of the wood can end up lifting up from excessive use or as time goes on. This makes it a tripping hazard as well.
It’s noisy. Wood, no matter what its purpose is, can make noise such as creaking and squeaking.
Carpeting
While hardwood flooring has its perks, carpeting has its strong points.
Pros of Carpeting
It is softer. Compared to hardwood flooring, carpeting is typically made of soft materials. Due to this softness, the risk of injury from tripping is greatly reduced.
It can be cost-efficient. Most carpeting is cheaper than hardwood flooring, despite it needing to be replaced every few years.
Less noise. Unlike its competitor, there is minimal noise disturbance with carpet when walked on. Carpeting adds padding and insulation to your floor, which makes it impossible to produce noise.
Cons of Carpeting
It’s can be difficult to keep to clean. As we’ve mentioned before, carpet is not easy to clean, especially when it’s in high-traffic areas. In addition, allergens such as dirt, dust, and dander can easily get trapped ina carpet.
It can be high maintenance. Despite its elegant appearance, carpet requires a lot of maintenance. This means that you’ll need to have consistent deep carpet cleaning and routine vacuuming.
It doesn’t last very long. Most carpeting these days are made of synthetic materials, which generally don’t have a long life span.
The Takeaway
Now is the time to answer the question of which type of flooring is better. Generally speaking, there isn’t a “better choice.” It’s all based on personal preference and which one appeals to you more. Remember to keep the cons in mind instead of just the pros. It can make deciding which flooring to go with much easier.
If you still have questions or concerns, reach out to us, we are happy to help!