Today we have so many different flooring types to choose from – carpet, laminate, LVT, and hardwood to name a few of the most popular options. It doesn’t make moving house or redecorating an easy task! How are you meant to know which is the best pick for your home?
Well, I want to make that decision easier and take a look at two contrasting flooring types in the article below – carpet vs wood. Carpet and hardwood floors are incredibly different and most people have a personal preference when it comes to these two. Either way, let’s jump in and see how these two flooring types compare.
Comfort and Warmth
Comfort and warmth are key areas of consideration for your flooring – especially if it’s a room that you use often to relax in.
Carpets are easily the more comfortable and warm option, indeed I would pick carpet over any other flooring type for these factors. A carpet in your living room will simply be warmer, and more comfortable to walk on than a cold, hard, wood floor unless you have underfloor heating!
This makes carpets better suited for “lived-in” rooms like living rooms and bedrooms whereas hardwood floors would work better for rooms you don’t use as often or for less time like hallways and dining rooms.
Durability and longevity
When you are spending money on your home you want your investment to last and not have to replace it a few years in the future! This is why when looking at carpet vs wood it’s important to look at durability and longevity.
Funnily enough, you would expect hardwood flooring to last much longer, but there is little difference compared to carpets. Both carpets and hardwood flooring will last for around 7-10 years in a usable condition (quality dependent!).
Over time, carpets get worn and the depth of the pile reduces and they become harder to walk on. They may also fade over time and get stained. Similarly, wood floors will start to show signs of wear and tear on the top finish layer, particularly if the floor is in an area of high traffic.
Maintenance and Cleanliness
If you have children or pets or are just clumsy and spill things regularly, you have to think about the maintenance and cleanliness of your flooring.
Carpets hoover fantastically but they are more difficult to clean stains from compared to hardwood floors. With a hardwood floor, you can simply wipe the mess with a damp cloth or even mop the surface.
This isn’t possible with carpets and you typically have to scrub the carpet hard with a wet cloth or use a stain removal product.
For maintenance, neither carpet nor hardwood is particularly easy to repair. Removing and replacing hardwood planks can be expensive while removing and replacing sections of carpet can leave the flooring looking ugly and uneven.
Design Flexibility
For many, design flexibility is important as you may have a particular theme or style that you want to enhance with your flooring.
I give the edge to carpets here by a considerable margin. Just look at our selection of carpets. You have multiple colours, styles, pile types, depths, and patterns. It’s so easy to pick a carpet that matches your decor. In fact, the sheer choice and variation can sometimes be overwhelming!
In contrast, there is a more limited selection of natural hardwood floors available. The colour pallet is especially restricted and you are essentially limited by the types of wood such as oak, pine, maple, or walnut. Basically, your hardwood flooring is most likely going to be a shade of brown!
Budget and Cost Comparison
Lastly, we can’t forget about the budget! Everyone has a set budget and unless you have unlimited funds you must think about how much you can afford.
Typically, when looking at carpet vs wood floors, carpets are the much cheaper option with hardwood being one of the most expensive together with stone floors. You are paying extra for the quality of the wooden material, and the increased labour during the installation process.
There are expensive carpets too, but even the most expensive carpets would be comparative to standard hardwood floors.
Consider the Factors and Your Personal Circumstance
As you can see there is a lot to consider when looking at the carpet vs wood debate and there is an element of personal preference too.
If you want design versatility and a flooring type that is warm and comfortable, carpet wins all the time. Carpet is also great if you have a tighter budget to work towards as hardwood floors are usually much more expensive.
However, if you want a more elegant solution and something that will last much longer, hardwood floors offer better durability and a certain style that you just don’t get with carpets.
