It's a smart idea; hardwood flooring is preferred by home buyers and renters across the United States so it could improve the resale value of your home when it comes time to sell..
In terms of carpet vs hardwood resale value, there's no question that hardwood flooring wins this match-up. In fact, a study of homebuyer preferences by USA Today found that 54% of home buyers were willing to pay more for a home with hardwood floors.
The best flooring for resale value: The ROI on wood floors
They're durable, versatile, and most buyers love them. According to real estate experts, the average ROI for installing hardwood floors is about 70% to 80%, and wood floors can boost the sales price of your home as much as 2.5%.
While there are many factors that influence a home's value, hardwood flooring can certainly increase its worth. Not only does it add a warm and inviting aesthetic to any living space, but it also makes a home easier to sell and can even add resale value when the time comes.
Well-maintained, high-quality carpet can add value to your home. Here's how to get your carpeting to stand out, according to experts. When you're looking to sell your home, certain home improvements can potentially increase its resale value—a fresh coat of paint, kitchen and bathroom updates, and the floors, too.
Designers often use wall-to-wall carpeting in smaller spaces such as bedrooms for this reason, Architectural Digest notes. HomeAdvisor.com notes that new carpet in general tends not to affect resale value either way (compared to hardwood, for which 54% of buyers in one study were willing to pay $2,080 more).
“Buyers like carpet in bedrooms, especially in basement bedrooms, for comfort and warmth.” Carpet is also much quieter to walk on than other types of flooring and can help absorb noise. It can mask sounds, such as footsteps and squeaky floors, Fisher adds.
You may have already guessed it, but the floor with the highest resale value is hardwood. Since hardwood is always in demand, it is an easy choice to up level your home.
There's no consensus on an exact percentage, but many experts have said it's between 3% and 5%. So replacing carpet with hardwood flooring can definitely make a difference in your selling price. In fact, one study found that 54% of home buyers said they'd be willing to pay more—up to $2,080—for hardwood floors.
Dark colored hardwood floors are highly sought after by home buyers because they match modern styles. Lighter hardwood floors don't have that same appeal to many buyers, but buying quality hardwood can help.
Pros: Vinyl flooring is especially good at fending off wear, dents, scratches, discoloration from sunlight, and stains. It's also waterproof, so it's a great alternative to tile in wet rooms such as baths and kitchens, where it provides a forgiving surface underfoot.
Return on Investment (ROI)
Hardwood floors are mainly seen as upscale and possess features home buyers frequently look for. For this reason, you can expect up to 80% ROI and a 2.5% increase in home market value after installation. Hardwood flooring can last for decades when they are correctly cared for.
It keeps the house looking consistent
If you have a color scheme or style that you love, having the same flooring flow from room to room will allow you to extend that feel throughout your entire home. Using the same flooring material ensures your home will have an elevated and cohesive design.
Tracy Dillard, Long & Foster: “Hardwood is generally preferred over carpet. Buyers can always add a rug over top the hardwood. We had heard buyers say that because of allergies they prefer hardwood over carpet. Tile can be good too in certain areas of the home.”
Neither of these flooring types involve a cheap and quick installation process, so this decision can't easily be reversed. According to a survey conducted by The Flooring Girl, around 60% of homeowners prefer hardwood flooring in the bedroom while the other 40% opt to have carpet instead.
Light-colored neutrals generally work best, as they help the space to feel larger. However, many homebuyers will be put off by white carpet, as they will worry about how they will keep it clean.
Carpets don't ruin hardwood floors and are actually a good way to protect them. The installation process is fairly easy, but you should do it right or risk damage to your floors.
Lighter colors help brighten up a room, making it feel bigger. The amount of natural light in the room: If you love natural light, and your home gets plenty of it, you may want to opt for a darker wood floor as it tends to fade less quickly than lighter flooring options.
When you have a hardwood floor, it's better to install a carpet because it protects the floor and gives an aesthetic style to the room. Some people opt to have area rugs, but carpets are better.
Beach house: It may come as no surprise that the most valuable homes in the nation are beach houses, coming in at an average sale price of $1,223,310. Since this style of home typically comes with beach access or ocean views, its high value makes sense—especially considering that the land itself comes at a high cost.
Luxury vinyl has become our most popular choice for home flooring, and for many good reasons.As mentioned previously its waterproof, low maintenance, resilient, and is one of the most budget-friendly options, too!
Wood flooring is sturdy and more durable. Carpet has a lifespan of 5 to 15 years, depending on the type of carpet, the fibers, and level of wear and tear. Ideally, you'll want to replace or remove carpet after seven years. Hardwood floors can last decades when properly installed and maintained.
Due to the softness, carpet can help to reduce the amount of noise in a bedroom. It is much harder for sounds to 'bounce' off carpeted floors. Depending on the subflooring you choose, you can make your bedroom so quiet you could barely hear a pin drop!
By most standards of comparison, hardwood flooring is clearly superior to carpet, with better longevity, more elegant appearance, and better real estate value. But carpet can be a good choice where comfort is your primary concern, or where budget is an issue. Just be prepared to replace the carpet every 10 years or so.