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modern sitting area with beige carpet

Carpet vs Hardwood Flooring

girl plays with finger paints on her stain-resistant carpeted bedroom floor

 

Looking for stunning, stylish surfaces to uplift your home? It can be tough to choose between plush carpeting and natural hardwood - but each has unique benefits that make them popular choices.

 

Let's start with carpet, a beloved option that outsells all other flooring options in the US. Families adore cozy carpeted rooms for making memories, and the best carpet for your home depends on several factors. Nylon carpet is an excellent option for active households thanks to its reliable stain resistance and durability. Polyester carpet fibers combine style, value, and even sustainability for an eco-friendly choice. Triexta fiber is a game-changing carpet option that creates incredibly stain-resistant and durable carpets. And if you're looking for indoor-outdoor carpeting, Olefin fiber boasts exceptional moisture and stain resistance.

 

For those seeking timeless style and durability, hardwood flooring is a popular investment that can even boost a home's resale value. With a range of gorgeous stains, finishes, species, lengths, and widths, hardwood planks can capture any aesthetic from coastal to country, rustic to modern. Natural beauty and visible grain make hardwood floors a cherished choice, providing strength and timeless design to any home. And with the advent of engineered hardwood flooring, homeowners have even more options to choose from - bringing the possibility of wood floors to areas that were once considered less than ideal for hardwood. As designers and homeowners alike demand wider, longer plank formats, manufacturers are finding new inspiration to develop fresh, new hardwood styles.

 

 

 

 

rustic modern living room featuring beige area rug and dark stained hardwood floors

 

 

 

Pros & Cons of Hardwood vs. Carpet

When it comes to whether carpet or hardwood will be most appropriate for your home, the answer will depend on factors such as kids, pets, the rooms in question, budget, and installation requirements. Without further ado, let’s dive into both flooring options and examine how they can best serve your household. Below are the pros and cons of each flooring type:

 

 

Cost & Long Term Value:

Appearance & Color Options:

Ease of Installation:

Sound Insulation:

Durability & Cleanliness:

Choosing Carpet or Hardwood for your Room:

 

Replacing Carpet with Hardwood: What to Know

 

When you do switch to hardwood flooring, you will have the ability to refinish planks when needed, keeping them shining radiantly while also protecting the floor against damage. Home Advisor lists the average cost of refinishing a 15x15 room in the range of $340 to $900, costing anywhere from $1.50 to $4.00 per square foot. With proper love and care over the years, refinishing your hardwood floors can erase damage from scratches and fading.

 

 

If you live in a warm climate, it is important to consider how humidity can affect your wood floors when switching from carpet. As the temperature outside increases, the amount of water vapor in the air increases and inevitably comes inside our homes. Air conditioning and dehumidifiers can help evaporate the humidity of the air indoors, but if unaccounted for, swelling, expanding and contracting, warping, cupping, and cracking of your planks can occur. High degrees of seasonal change may mean that engineered hardwood would be a better fit to resist humidity and the presence of moisture.
When your hardwood floors are finally installed, you can add the pops of warmth, softness, and cushion that you had with carpet by using throw rugs, area rugs, and runners.

 

When you are ready to receive a carpet or hardwood cost estimate, you can submit a Free Estimate Request Form to your local Carpet One Floor & Home store and begin creating your new favorite rooms!