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Considering carpeting vs hardwood floors? Although the final choice between carpet and hardwood will depend on your individual needs and requirements, we have compiled a comprehensive guide to help you determine what is best for your home. In general, hardwood is considered a more durable and universal flooring option for any type of interior design. Compared to hardwood, carpet is a flooring material that offers comfort and adds a warm touch to any space. Keep reading our comparison guide for more insights.
Wooden Floors vs Carpets: Comparison
If the two opposite questions, “why hardwood floors are better than carpet?” and “is carpet better than hardwood?” have been running through your head, you’re in the right place. In this section, we’ll compare the differences between carpet and hardwood in terms of cost, appearance, maintenance, resale value, installation, cleaning, water resistance, comfort, and suitability for families with allergies or pets.
Criterion | Carpet | Hardwood |
Cost | $2-$7 per sq ft | $9-$25 per sq ft |
Appearance | Highly customizable | Highly customizable |
Maintenance & Durability | More complex maintenance | Easy maintenance |
Resale Value | ROI: 25-80% | ROI: 70-100% |
Installation | Easier; $1-$2 per sq ft | More complex; costs $4-$8 per sq ft |
Water Resistance | Low | Very low |
Comfort and Sound | Absorbs sound better | Reflects sound |
Families, Pets & Allergies | Doesn’t fit people with allergies and pets | Hypoallergenic |
Initial Cost
When comparing wood floors versus carpet, cost is the first criterion you might come up with. Check out the table below to see a detailed cost breakdown for each option per square foot:
Cost criterion | Carpet | Hardwood |
Material | $2-$7 per sq ft | $6-$25 per sq ft (depends on the species of wood) |
Installation | $1-$2 per sq ft | $4-$8 per sq ft |
Total | $3-$8 per sq ft | $9-$25 per sq ft |
On average, when considering hardwood cost vs carpet flooring cost, the initial price for hardwood will be higher than for carpet flooring. Though carpet flooring may seem cheaper at first sight, it may wear out faster than wood flooring, which will cost you more in the long run. To make an informed decision between hardwood and carpet flooring, keep reading the following points.
Appearance
Another crucial criterion while considering carpet vs hardwood floor is the appearance. Sometimes, logic has no power against looks, and choosing the flooring that fits your visual taste is the best approach. When it comes to hardwood, you can expect a timeless, elegant look with a wide range of grains and colors. Carpet flooring also offers a customizable look with a range of available styles and textures.
Criterion | Carpet | Hardwood |
Appearance | Comes in versatile colors, patterns, and textures, enabling great customization options | Timeless look; you can choose the wood species, installation pattern, and stain |
Texture | Soft and warm look and feel underfoot | Smooth surface; can be polished and refinished whenever you notice signs of wear |
Color | Endless number of color options, enabling high customization | A wide range of stains; however, your options will depend on the type of wood you choose |
Though the appearance is a matter of taste, you can make some practical conclusions from comparing wooden floors vs carpets. The two popular flooring options can fit you depending on the type of room and its purpose. For one, carpet flooring will fit playrooms, making it more comfortable for the children. On the other hand, hardwood is a better choice for living rooms and hallways, adding a touch of timeless elegance to any interior.
Maintenance and Durability
Wood flooring outperforms carpet flooring when it comes to maintenance and durability. While carpet flooring offers a soft feel and is initially more budget-friendly, its lifespan is several times shorter. Check out the table below to compare the durability of wood flooring vs carpet flooring:
Criterion | Carpet | Hardwood |
Expected lifespan | 10-15 years | hardwood floor can last 50+ years with proper maintenance |
Maintenance | Frequent deep clean to remove stains and dirt and preserve the look and feel of the flooring | Regular sweeping and vacuuming; professional care once in 2-3 years |
At this point, you might be wondering, “Is hardwood better than carpet flooring?” However, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. If you expect high foot traffic and don’t have the opportunity to clean flooring deeply at least once a week, hardwood is a better option for you. By contrast, if you expect low foot traffic, carpet flooring may work out for you perfectly.
Resale Value
As a homeowner, looking ahead is always a wise choice. That’s why, while you’re still hesitating which is better for you—wood flooring or carpet floor, don’t miss the house resale value criterion. Keep reading to learn how the type of flooring can affect the potential price of your property.
Criterion | Carpet | Hardwood |
Impact on value | Enhances visual appeal, but doesn’t increase ROI | Increases the property resale value |
ROI | Lower ROI: 25% to 80% for new carpet flooring | A high ROI: 70-100% (for new hardwood flooring) |
Buyer preference | Considered a functional option for some rooms, like a bedroom or playroom | Buyers are likely to prefer home with hardwood flooring against other types of flooring materials |
Homes with hardwood floors tend to cost more compared to the ones with other types of flooring, including carpet floors. If you allow for the possibility of selling your property, hardwood flooring might be a better choice for your home and its potential resale value.
Installation
Still hesitating whether to choose carpet or wood flooring? Installation is another critical criterion that may help you make the final decision between the two options.
Criterion | Carpet | Hardwood |
Installation cost | Labor costs range between $1 and $2 per sq ft | Installing hardwood will cost you around $4-$8 per sq ft |
Installation difficulty | Proper carpet stretching is the key difficulty | Requires expertise and tools, so it’s better to hire trusted hardwood contractors like Floors Are Us |
Installation time | Quick, a small room can take 1-2 hours | Takes longer, usually 1-3 days |
Though hardwood installation is more costly and complex, in the long run, it proves to be more durable and long-lasting. Carpet flooring is easier to install; however, it requires a more diligent care routine.
Water Resistance
Moisture resistance is an important factor to consider while choosing between hardwood and carpet flooring. While carpet surfaces respond to spills immediately, wood floors, especially solid hardwood, are prone to water damage and can show signs such as warping and swelling.
Criterion | Carpet | Hardwood |
Water resistance | Low; absorbs liquids immediately and dries slowly | Very low; shows signs of wear, which can potentially require professional care, including repair and refinish |
Material behavior | Traps water inside its fibers, potentially leading to mildew | After absorbing moisture, starts to swell and warp |
If you’re still hesitating about what is better for your dining room carpet or hardwood, contact a reliable flooring contractor in your area and receive a comprehensive consultation. Flooring experts will analyze your space carefully, assessing humidity and moisture damage probability to help you make the right choice in your specific case.
Comfort and Sound
While choosing hardwood or carpet in living room, bedroom, playroom, or any other room, comfort and the footstep noise the floor produces are crucial factors to consider. While carpet flooring offers softness, warmth, and superior sound absorption, wood flooring enables a naturally warmer temperature and higher sound reflectivity.
Criterion | Carpet | Hardwood |
Comfort | Soft underfoot feel; lowers risks of injury from falling (especially relevant for playrooms) | Is naturally warm; doesn’t accumulate dust and allergens |
Sound | Minimum echo and footstep noises | Reflects sound waves, making it a noisier option |
Overall, carpeted floors dissipate sound better, making your room quieter than spaces with hardwood flooring. However, if sound reflection isn’t your key priority while choosing flooring material, hardwood might be a better choice as it retains temperature more efficiently.
Families, Pets and Allergies
Finally, if you’re considering hardwood or carpet in the family room, you should pay attention to how practical each material would behave if you have a pet or some members of your family have allergies.
Criterion | Carpet | Hardwood |
Allergies | Accumulates such allergens as bacteria and mold, which can be difficult to remove; can trigger allergy symptoms | A hypoallergenic flooring material; its non-porous structure doesn’t trap allergens |
Pets | Though the softness of carpeted flooring is comfortable for pets, it traps pet hair, stains, and odor | Optimal choice for families with pets; with a protective coating, won’t trap odors and bacteria |
Cleaning | Difficult to clean (requires regular professional cleaning to remove trapped dirt efficiently) | Easy to clean (sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming) |
Though at first carpeted flooring may seem family-friendly, it has some hidden qualities you should keep in mind. For one, if you have a pet or family members with allergies, carpeting isn’t your perfect option.
Conclusion
So are hardwood floors better than carpet, or vice versa? Carpet flooring is cheaper and easier to install; however, it requires a thorough cleaning and care maintenance, and doesn’t fit people with allergies and pets. Hardwood flooring is more costly at the beginning, yet offers better durability, while increasing the property value of your home.
If you still hesitate about which type of material is better for your specific case, contact a trusted flooring contractor in your area and receive a comprehensive consultation.
