Unlike carpet, hardwood floors do not trap dust, animal dander, pollen, particulate matter or other common allergens. This means that it's significantly easier to improve your indoor air quality. Wood floors are often a must for allergy sufferers.
It is widely regarded that the 1960s-1970s were the heydays for carpet, with carpet even making an appearance in the bathrooms in some homes! While most did not rush to keep the carpet in their bathrooms, many people did cover up their original hardwood flooring with carpeting in most rooms.
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.. But consider all your options carefully. Here's more about flooring made from hardwood and why you might prefer it to wall-to-wall carpet.
The comfort factor
That's why carpet is often the choice for nursery flooring, bedroom flooring and game room flooring. While hardwood floors simply don't have the same warmth and coziness as carpet, homeowners who prefer wood can use an area rug to soften the feel of bedroom hardwood flooring, for example.
Both carpeting and hardwood flooring with large area rugs are in style for bedrooms.
Carpeting is Significantly Healthier and Greener than Wood Floors. This first paragraph is a very brief overview of the article: Carpeting provides a healthier indoor air quality than smooth floors because it acts like a filter which TRAPS and HOLDS germs so that they cannot become airborne.
If you install cheap or poor-quality carpet, your buyers will notice. They might see this as a drawback of buying your house, even though you thought the carpet was an upgrade. Conversely, you don't want to overspend on carpet that buyers plan to replace anyway.
What Flooring Adds the Most Value? Hardwood flooring has long been the top choice for homebuyers and remains so today. According to Realtor.com, installing new hardwood floors may increase a home's value by as much as 2.5%, though some realtors place that figure at 6 to 10% or more.
Hardwood is Better at Handling Heavy Foot Traffic
Over time, the fibers will wear out, and the carpet will become discolored, often requiring a total replacement. Hardwood floors are much more durable and have a significantly longer lifespan, even under heavy foot traffic.
Yes, hardwood flooring is generally more durable than carpet. It can withstand foot traffic, scratches, and spills better and can last for decades with proper care. Carpet tends to wear out faster, especially in high-traffic areas.
Is it also the main pick for flooring internationally? Hardwood flooring was used since the country was founded because there were so many forests and trees. In the 1950s and 60s people started to use linoleum, and later carpeting, but hardwood was still one of the most popular floors.
Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, often choose carpet as a flooring option due to its comfort, warmth, and familiarity. Having grown up in an era when carpeting was ubiquitous in homes, many Boomers associate it with a sense of coziness and nostalgia.
While carpet is still a popular choice for bedrooms due to its comfort, hardwood generally adds more value in terms of resale. Many buyers prefer hardwood for its durability and timeless appeal, and it's easy to add a rug for extra warmth.
Natural fibers are set to be a significant trend in carpets in 2024. Homeowners increasingly opt for carpets made from natural materials such as wool, sisal, jute, and seagrass. These natural fibers add a touch of luxury and sophistication to your space and come with a host of practical benefits.
Hardwood Floors Are Durable and Don't Degrade
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.
“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.
Carpet is harmful to your and your family's health, breeds unneeded bacteria, mold, and other nasty particles, and it's a high maintenance hassle if you want it to look good. It's easier to switch out the carpet for a hard surface flooring.
One factor sustaining high end's momentum is the way carpet is used in the home. Most of the time carpet is reserved for the bedroom, common areas, basements and stairs.
Real estate professionals and prospective home buyers typically prefer hardwood flooring over carpet.
Healthier flooring options include solid wood, natural linoleum, cork, bamboo, tile and stone. A key feature of all of these is that they are easily cleaned of dust and dirt.
Whether it's a good idea to replace carpet with hardwood depends on the house, your needs, and your budget. Traditionally styled homes may be better suited to hardwood than to carpet. You may desire the look, feel, and maintenance advantages of hardwood over carpet. You must have the budget for hardwood flooring, too.