subject: After The Carpet Is Gone: What Are Your Options? [print this page] There are times when you simply cannot stand looking at that ugly, old carpet for another minute, and it simply has to come out. However, once you pull it up, you are left with whatever was underneath. Occasionally you get lucky and find beautiful hardwood flooring, but more often, you may simply find sub floors which are not very attractive. So now you need to decide what type of flooring you are going put in the carpet's place.
Carpet Again
Frequently when you rip up carpeting you simply assume that you are going to replace it with new carpeting. Carpeting is also a great choice in many situations. If you have small children who play on the floor, you can rest easy knowing that carpeting gives them a soft, warm place to play. Carpeting is also great for insulating your home's floors from drafts, helping to keep it warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. Carpeting is also a pretty inexpensive flooring option when you compare it to some of the finer flooring options. Another great thing about carpeting is that you can find it in just about any color, pile, quality and price point. While you always want to get the best carpeting that you can afford, you should also consider the room that it is going in and how long before you plan to replace it. Of course you can install the carpeting yourself, but you can usually have it installed for a very affordable price; you may even find installation included if you shop during a carpet sale.
Laminate Flooring
As mentioned above, there are those rare times when you have the delightful discovery of tearing up old carpeting only to reveal fantastic hardwood flooring beneath. If the floor is in good shape, you can simply sand and wax and you are in business. If it is not is such great shape, then you may want to cover it with a laminate wood flooring product, which looks like wood, is durable and is affordable. You can find laminates in just about any color from the palest pine to the richest mahogany, so it will fit any room design. Laminate flooring is pretty easy to install on your own, or you can have a professional install it for you.
Installing Tile
As you are considering flooring, think about how you use the room. For example, if this is a bathroom, you may want to replace your carpet with a new, tile floor. Tile floors are durable and easy to keep clean, so they make an excellent choice for kitchens and bathrooms.
Before making a final decision, think about how you use the room: Think about the amount of foot traffic and how much dirt is tracked in. In a kitchen or bathroom, carpet is not a good choice, due to moisture and its propensity to harbor bacteria; carpet will also stain easily in these rooms. To make an informed decision, think about your family's lifestyle, the level of comfort you desire, and ease of maintenance.
