Maybe you’re updating a fixer-upper? Perhaps you’re making some changes to your existing home? Whatever the case may be, you’re looking to install new flooring.

You’ve considered many of your choices and you’ve narrowed them down to carpet and hardwood. The question is: which should you choose?

Both have their upsides and their downsides, with each serving some situations better than others. Looking for a comparison? Welcome to the battle of carpet vs hardwood floors!

The Pros of Carpet

Carpet is far from a perfect flooring material, but it certainly has its fair share of positive attributes. Available at a very reasonable price, it’s one of the cheapest flooring materials in existence.

Perhaps the best attribute of carpet is its softness. This material has a great deal of cushioning and does a tremendous job of breaking falls. This makes it particularly beneficial for those with young children, who, as you might know, fall hard on a regular basis.

Of course, it’s also a great seating surface. With carpet, kids can lay or sit cross-legged on the floor with very little discomfort.

Carpet is also an exceedingly warm flooring material. So, when the winter months come rolling around, it will leave you feeling comfortable, whether or not you’re wearing socks.

Noise is a problem with many flooring materials. Not only do these materials allow TV and speaker noises to bounce from room to room but they’re also loud to the step. This is not true of carpet, which insulates rooms from loud noises at all times.

Curious about styles and colors? Carpet offers tons of them. Regardless of your aesthetic preferences, there’s bound to be a brand of carpet that meets them.

The Cons of Carpet

Yes, carpet has a good number of benefits. However, it has its downsides as well. Perhaps the biggest downside of carpet is its lack of durability; it generally only lasts 5 to 15 years.

Highly vulnerable to liquid substances, it can take on stains and musty smells with even the smallest of spills. In some cases, stains are impossible to remove, particularly if the carpet possesses a light color.

In any case, carpet requires a great deal of maintenance. Not only does it need to be vacuumed frequently but it also needs to be deep cleaned every few years. This can make it an expensive material overall.

Have allergies? Carpet could be a problem for you. See, this material captures pet dander, mold spores, and dust mites. If your carpet isn’t cleaned on a regular basis, these substances will plague the air, resulting in all sorts of symptoms.

The final downside to carpet is its aesthetics. Though carpet is available in a variety of colors and styles, its general aesthetic is regarded by many to be cheap. It just doesn’t possess the high-end sparkle of something like hardwood or granite.

The Pros of Hardwood Floors

In truth, hardwood flooring has almost nothing in common with carpet. For one, it’s much more durable than carpet. Whereas carpet lasts between 10 and 20 years, hardwood flooring can last up to 50 years and sometimes even longer.

In addition to this, hardwood flooring is highly aesthetically desirable. It possesses a high-end look that can enhance the appearance of any home. Not to mention, it’s available in a variety of types.

Unlike carpet, hardwood flooring doesn’t trap dust or pet dander. This makes it a great option for those with allergies. Sweepable and moppable, it can be cleaned very easily.

There’s also the issue of value enhancement. Hardwood flooring is desired by many home buyers. As such, by installing hardwood flooring in your home, you’ll enhance its resale value.

Have cats, dogs, or other pets? Hardwood flooring might just be the best option. Should it encounter liquid substances, it can be rid of those substances without the risk of warping or staining. Check out some of your available options now!

The Cons of Hardwood Floors

Yes, hardwood flooring excels in a variety of areas. However, it has its downsides as well.

Most notably, it’s expensive. It comes in at around twice the price of carpet and generally costs more to install as well. Not to mention, its maintenance can be costly too.

And about maintenance; it requires a lot of it. Its finish fades after about 10 years. Once this happens, you’ll need to apply a new coat, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Hardwood floors can also be a little noisy. Not only do they create thudding noises when stepped on but they also allow TV and speaker sounds to bounce from room to room. This effect can be a little annoying if you have a lot of people living in your home.

Furthermore, hardwood flooring is limited in terms of color. Sure, you can find all of the woody colors (brown, tan, beige, orange, etc.), but you aren’t going to find unique colors such as pink or blue. You could paint your floors bu it would diminish their aesthetic drastically.

Lastly, hardwood floors can be a little fragile. They scratch easily, they warp when subjected to prolonged water exposure and they attract termites.

As such, over time, they can become fairly deteriorated. That said, with the proper maintenance, your hardwood floor will thrive for the foreseeable future.

Carpet vs Hardwood Floors: It All Comes Down to Personal Needs

In the battle of carpet vs hardwood floors, it all comes down to personal needs. Some will be better suited by carpet while others will be better suited by hardwood. Consider your needs and choose the material that makes the most sense to you.

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