Pros and Cons of Carpet Versus Hardwood

Choosing new flooring for your home can be bewildering. There are multiple different options available for materials alone, and that’s not including the extras, such as base shoe flooring Long Beach CA. It may be helpful to consider a few options at a time. Two of the most popular, and arguably the most iconic, flooring options are carpet and hardwood. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Carpet

Carpet is present in almost every home. It offers many practical advantages, including warmth and slip resistance. It is easy to install and comfortable to walk on. You can find a carpet to suit almost every area of the home because of the different textures and styles available. Carpet also comes in almost every color imaginable, making it extremely versatile.

Despite the popularity of carpet, some homeowners do not care for it. It can retain dust and debris from the air, which can make it bad for people with allergies. For the same reason, it is also one of the highest-maintenance flooring options, requiring frequent vacuuming and occasional deep cleaning.

Hardwood

Installing hardwood is possible but very expensive. Hardwood has been a popular flooring option for decades, so many older houses may already have hardwood floors. Few homeowners who have hardwood ever replace it, though some may cover it up with carpeting. Part of the appeal of hardwood is its polished appearance, however, so many homeowners decide to showcase it.

Some hardwood floors need to be refinished every three to five years, which can be expensive. Though fairly easy to clean, hardwood is susceptible to water damage, as well as dents and scratches.

While there’s no substitute for carpet, there are a number of flooring options that closely mimic the appearance of hardwood so you can get the look with fewer of the disadvantages. Examples include engineered wood and laminate.

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