Whether it’s residential or commercial properties you are seeking new flooring for, there are a few simple things to keep in mind while weighing your options. There are three main things to consider when selecting between hardwood floors or carpeting include the design and room usage, pricing, and sustainability. Also, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each can help guide you in making the right choice.
It’s important to keep the properties design in mind and consider the room’s usage. Is it a grand older home, or commercial property? What will this room be used for? Both flooring options offer distinctively different features and prices will vary between hardwood flooring and carpeting.
Hardwood floors
Hardwood floors are safe and clean, require minimal maintenance, are sustainable, and offer a depth of beauty and character to any establishment. Hardwood floors are a little more upfront cost upon installation, but last much longer. They resist stains and spills easier, but over time – usually many years – nicks or scraps can build up and hardwoods eventually need refinishing. Hardwood flooring offers an extra option of adding or changing decorative features to any area, like adding an area rug. Beautiful rugs on hardwood flooring create a unique sense of style. Rugs can be mixed or matched and interchanged throughout a home creating a different living space in each area. For example, an oriental rug on a hardwood floor offers a chic Asian ambience and can transport the entire room into another world. Flexibility of style is at your fingertips if you choose hardwood flooring.
Carpet Flooring
Carpet, on the other hand, can provide a cozy warm feel to any space. It offers noise reduction and provides a comfortable feel to walk on. However, carpets need to be frequently replaced, usually every five years, need extensive periodic cleaning, and are considered an allergy nightmare. Carpets can deteriorate quickly, especially in high traffic areas. Dirt, grit and grime sink into the fibers easily and over time the carpet can matt up or unravel. Equally worrisome, carpeting can hold dust, dander, mold, and pollen and wreak havoc on allergy sufferers. Expensive chemical cleaners can be employed to clean and spare carpet, but those chemicals pollute the environment. With a hardwood floor, you can place an oriental rug or area rug over it, and easily place it in the washer if need be.
Consider Sustainability
Sustainability is another thing to consider when making your choice. Sustainability is increasingly becoming important to consumers. Hardwood floors are gaining ground as the optimal ecological choice. Wood is a natural recurring resource, and with use of faster growing trees like bamboo; hardwoods are swiftly becoming the healthier choice for the environment, and you!
Before you go shopping, it may be helpful to make a checklist of your needs, and give careful consideration to both the advantages and disadvantages of each, and then decide. Good luck!
Attached Images:
- License: Image author owned
- License: Image author owned
Jillian Johnson is a professional marketing content writer who blogs on a variety of topics. Follow her @MissWritey.