The decision between hardwood floor or carpets is a choice which more and more people are facing today. While carpet is undoubtedly a cosy alternative, there are many great reasons for choosing hardwood flooring for your project.
In recent years, modern developments and renovation projects alike have been veering more toward hardwood floor than carpet due to the contemporary and stylish look it offers. What’s more, from a practical point of view, the ease of cleaning and maintenance as well as the flexibility offered by hardwood flooring adds any extra pull that may be required in that decision-making process.
Although weekly carpet cleaning can be carried out efficiently and effectively with a regular vacuum cleaner, deep cleaning of carpet is a much more in-depth and specialist job than thorough cleaning of hardwood flooring. Deep cleaning of hardwood flooring can be simply and effectively carried out using a damp mop and an appropriate floor cleaner (if it’s really needed).
In the hardwood floor or carpet argument, hardwood flooring is recognised as a particularly attractive solution for anyone suffering from dust related allergies, as hardwood floors don’t hold dust particles like carpet does. What this means is that allergy sufferers can live in the peace of mind that they are not living in an environment which will aggravate their condition.
Hardwood floors are really popular with pet owners too. Anyone with pets will be only too aware of the advantages offered by hardwood flooring versus carpet. Dog and cat hairs as well as muddy footprints and “little accidents” and bugs can be simply and effectively vacuumed and mopped away without any long lingering traces or nasty, tell-tale smells or odours.
So, if you’re someone who likes to change your interior regularly as well as keeping ahead with hygiene, then the choice between hardwood floor and carpet is a no-brainer for you. At the end of the day, with a carpet, the only option to change the look of your floor is to change the carpet, with a hardwood floor, you can colour it, stain it, distress it or age it, the choices are huge.
Finally, and although in itself, not necessarily a good reason to choose hardwood flooring over carpet, there are strong indicators that by choosing hardwood flooring for your home, you could see an increase in (at least) its saleability, and most probably its value.
Hardwood Flooring vs. Carpet Comparison
| Hardwood Flooring | Carpet | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Offers a contemporary and stylish look | Provides a cozy alternative |
| Cleaning and Maintenance | Ease of cleaning and maintenance, deep cleaning can be carried out with a damp mop and an appropriate cleaner | Requires regular vacuuming, deep cleaning is a more in-depth and specialist job |
| Allergen Accumulation | Doesn’t hold dust particles, better for allergy sufferers | Can hold dust particles, may aggravate allergies |
| Suitability for Pets | Popular with pet owners due to ease of cleaning pet hair and “little accidents” | Pet hair and dirt can linger, can retain odours |
| Versatility | Offers flexibility for interior changes, can be coloured, stained, distressed or aged | Only option for a change of look is to change the carpet |
| Property Value | Can increase the saleability and potentially the value of your home | No strong indications of impact on property value |
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FAQ
1. Why is hardwood flooring becoming a more popular choice over carpet?
Hardwood flooring is becoming more popular due to its contemporary and stylish look. It also offers ease of cleaning, maintenance, and flexibility that adds to its appeal in the decision-making process.
2. How does the cleaning process of hardwood floors compare to that of carpets?
While weekly carpet cleaning can be carried out efficiently with a vacuum cleaner, deep cleaning of carpet is a much more in-depth and specialist job. On the other hand, deep cleaning of hardwood flooring can be easily done using a damp mop and an appropriate floor cleaner.
3. How does having hardwood flooring benefit allergy sufferers?
Hardwood flooring is beneficial for those suffering from dust-related allergies as these floors don’t hold dust particles like carpets do. This means that allergy sufferers can live in an environment that is less likely to aggravate their condition.
4. Why is hardwood flooring preferred by pet owners?
Hardwood floors are preferred by pet owners as pet hair, muddy footprints, and minor accidents can be easily vacuumed and mopped away without leaving long lingering traces or odours.
5. Can installing hardwood flooring impact the value of a home?
While not the only factor to consider, there are strong indicators that by choosing hardwood flooring for your home, you could see an increase in its saleability, and potentially its value as well.