subject: Making an Informed Decision for your Family: Carpet or Hardwood Flooring? [print this page] Making an Informed Decision for your Family: Carpet or Hardwood Flooring?
Making an Informed Decision for your Family: Carpet or Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring in houses are extremely popular right now, but are they always the right decision for homeowners? There are times when the decision between installing hardwood floors or carpeting requires serious consideration about the current homeowner's needs and lifestyle.
Carpet vs. Hardwood
There are pros and cons for hardwood flooring as well as carpeting. It is important to consider living style and family needs.
Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are beautiful and very popular. Many people purchasing homes want hardwood floors, so installing them in a home will increase resale value. Hardwood floors have an elegant, timeless look, and are extremely durable. Cleaning today's hardwood is easy; light vacuuming and sweeping is all that is required. Maintained properly, hardwood floors last a lifetime.
Carpet Flooring
Carpets are superior in offering insulation in a home, as they retain heat. This can result in saving money on heating the home, and will feel much warmer on the feet. The insulation capability of carpet also means that noise will be reduced. Carpets are easy to clean by vacuuming weekly. Stains will call for professional cleaning. Quality carpets that are well maintained can last 20 or more years.
Lifestyle Considerations
The decision of carpet versus hardwood is a personal one. People who enjoy walking around the house in their bare feet will probably find that carpeting is warmer and feels better on the feet, as it provides cushioning. If the family has small children or toddlers, carpet will be more efficient as the children will be crawling around on the floors. Children's toys could also potentially damage hardwood floors when children drag the toys across the floor. Babies learning to crawl can find a better grip on carpeting, and it will also be warmer for them on the floor. Older people will find carpets less slippery when walking and less damaging in case of a fall.
More mature families may find the beauty of hardwood floors appealing. The decor of the home can be structured around personal color choices rather than around the color of a carpet. Spills are not as damaging to hardwood floors; they can be easily wiped away without fear of staining. Area rugs can be used to accent a room if there are hardwood floors, allowing for more versatility. As children grow into teenagers there is no need to worry about crawling hands and feet on the flooring. Many older homes that are carpeted have hardwood floors beneath the carpets, which is testimony that hardwood floors last a lifetime.
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