Carpet Versus Wooden Floors Which Option Is Best For You

Carpet versus wooden floors: which option is best for you?
There are so many factors that affect our decisions about buying a new carpet or wooden flooring.  If we are about to sell a property we want the cheapest option to refresh a room.  If we have just purchased a home and know we are going to live there for a long time then we can spend more money on something we are going to enjoy.  If we have bought a home as an investment and we want to rent it to tenants or are renovating to sell on, our flooring requirements will be very different.

Below we give you some advice about the different types of flooring available and whether carpet, wood, laminate or vinyl is best for you and your family.

Wooden flooring
Solid wood flooring looks elegant, is stylish and has a richness nothing else can match.  It brings a warm feeling to any room and the added bonus of the beautiful aroma of wood and polish.  Real wood flooring is also warm to walk on even during the darkest of winter days.

Pros
Wooden flooring is durable, it only needs a little bit of loving care to make it last a lifetime.  It's easy to clean, doesn't absorb smells and is great for people with allergies as it does not harbour dust mites and other allergens.

Wood flooring doesn't date, so you don't have to worry about fashion trends, it is relatively neutral and will match any decorative style you decide for your home.

Wooden flooring, which has been looked after, can increase the value of your home when it comes to selling it.

Cons
Wooden floors are very expensive when compared to other types of flooring.  They are also hard to fit. 

Which rooms suit wooden flooring
Avoid wooden floors in bathrooms and kitchens, high humidity and constant water spillages, that are not immediately cleaned up, can make the wood rot.

Wooden flooring can not be fitted on top of under floor heating, although technological advancements could change this, so always check with the retailer or manufacturer before you buy.

Any area that has a high volume of traffic, or is likely to have sand or dirt walked onto it, will need some protection, such as mats on the outside and inside of your building.  High traffic areas may need more maintenance than other areas.

Laminate & vinyl flooring and tiles?
Laminate flooring and tiles are very popular.  You can now get extremely good quality laminate and lino floors and tiles in a variety of colours and patterns.

Pros
Laminate flooring is durable, it only needs a little bit of loving care to make the higher quality floors last 20 years.  It's easy to clean, doesn't absorb smells and is great for people with allergies as it does not harbour dust mites and other allergens.

Laminate flooring looks newer for far longer than carpets and vinyl.

Some laminates are now designed to go into kitchens and bathrooms, whereas vinyl and tiles are perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.

Laminate and vinyl floors are very easy to fit.

Cons
If you drop anything heavy enough or at the right angle then damage to laminate, tiles and vinyl flooring will happen.  They can be repaired so the mark isn't as visible, or if you have any extra left over, you can replace the damaged part.  This is more likely to happen in kitchens and bathrooms.

Fitting tiles does need some expertise. 

Which rooms suit laminate, tiles and vinyl flooring
Laminate works well in dinning rooms, living rooms and bedrooms.

Tiles work well in hallways, kitchens and bathrooms.

Vinyl works well in bathrooms and kitchens.

Carpets
Carpets went out of fashion forcing the carpeting industry to come up with new ideas, such as harder wearing carpets for stairs and landings which have modern designs aimed at a younger audience.

Pros
Carpets are warmer than any other flooring.  They are also energy efficient as they provide some thermal protection.  Your feet will never be cold when buried in a carpet with a good pile.

Carpets are soft, which makes them comfortable to walk on when bare foot, they are also comfortable to sit on.  They are better for babies knees when crawling and give some padding for elderly people who may suffer falls.

Carpets absorb sound, you won't hear echoes of children running through your home.

Carpets can make a statement about your room, they can be as bold and bright as you like.  They can have patterns or be plain, where neutral carpets provide a blank slate against which you can style your decor.

Carpets are also far quicker, easier and cheaper to install than any other flooring, although you will probably have to get an expert to do the fitting as carpets are heavy.

Cons
Carpets are difficult to clean and stain easily, although you can get carpets with stain resistant technology, and they are not ideal for people with allergies or asthma.

When carpets are new you will be cleaning up fibres from the surrounding areas nearly every day.  Within weeks deeper piles will start showing up areas of high usage as the pile starts to flatten.  Colour also fades especially where the sun can reach. 

Which rooms suit carpets
Other than bathrooms and kitchens carpets can go into any room, halls and stairs.

You will need to have higher quality carpets in rooms that have lots of use, you can get away with a cheaper carpet in a spare bedroom that is used occasionally.

Which type of flooring is hygienic?
Carpets collect dust, mites and animal fleas as well as hold smells from cooking and general living.  Vacuuming alone will not get all the dirt out of your carpet, and it is now suggested that you steam clean your carpet at least once a year.

Wooden flooring, laminates, tiles and vinyl are all easy to clean with a vacuum and mop.

If you have allergies to dust mites then wooden, laminates, tiles and vinyl should be your first choice.  If your animals drop lots of fur you may also prefer having these types of flooring.

I want to sell my house, it's looking a bit tired what should I invest in?
In the current climate and in popular areas most estate agents would tell you, you really don't need to bother refreshing your house for sale.  You would be better off keeping your money to make changes to your new home.

However, if you are having trouble selling your home, you will need to do some maths to work out if you can sell quicker or at a higher price than it would cost you taking the time to fit new carpets, laminate or wooden flooring.

Carpets are a cheaper option than wooden floors and they are quicker to fit.  People viewing your home will also be able to smell the carpet is new so won't be put off by hygiene issues.  But for people who don't like carpets they will still be thinking about the cost involved to change from carpets to laminates or wooden flooring.  You could have your entire home carpeted within a day or two, whereas wooden flooring could take a day for one small room.

We hope this helps you to choose the right flooring for your house.  If you need further help then come and see us in our showroom in Basildon.  If John or Darrel aren't available to help you, as they are often out fitting flooring, one of our sales people will be more than able to assist you.