When it comes to building your dream home, there’s a lot of questions and customisations that go into it. After all, creating a space that you’ll be comfortable in, and happy to call home is the most important thing. From the colour of paint for your home’s facade, the number of bedrooms, the material of your kitchen countertops, down to the small hardware like knobs and drawer handles, there’s a lot to consider.
One thing that homeowners the world over also need to think about when customising their home to suit their needs is the type of flooring that they should go with. Often, it comes down to two contenders: carpet versus timber flooring. But what are the pros and cons of each option, and how would they fare in different rooms of the home? Which is better for your budget, as well as your aesthetic preference? What about the upkeep?
Below, we compare everything about carpet and timber flooring, so you can take notes and decide what flooring suits your needs perfectly.
Appearance
Carpets have gone a long way over the years and are available in a wide range of colours, textures, and patterns. In general, most carpet styles are soft to the touch and add a softer look to any room design.
Hardwood flooring, on the other hand, has long been a crowd favourite, and its main appeal of natural wood-tone colours and appealing, natural patterns have graced many homes throughout the years. It’s bold, it’s a statement, and it’s a sturdy foundation for the rest of the home’s decor.
When you’re choosing by appearance, this is very much a matter of personal preference, though the majority of homeowners, if given the choice, do tend to go for hardwood flooring for their homes.
Initial Costs
Carpet is definitely a cheaper option, as it’s less costly to manufacture. Due to its affordability, if you’re trying to build with a budget, this might be carpet’s winning factor for you.
Hardwood is more expensive to install, although engineered hardwood flooring is definitely more affordable than raw hardwood planks. Taking into consideration its manufacturing cost, especially if you’re after hardwood floors that have been sustainably sourced, as well as the time it takes to install, it can be an investment that you’ll have to adjust your budget for.
Durability
Carpets, while affordable, don’t last as long as hardwood. Experts say carpets last up to 10 years with regular upkeep, but sometimes you just can’t help accidents in the home. From wine stains, furniture digging into the material, plumbing issues, and many more, the synthetic fibres used in most modern carpets can be highly resistant to water damage, but it might still damage the backing layer and become a space for mould to grow. Carpets are also easily damaged by heat and can emit toxic gases if a fire in the home ignites and becomes serious.
Meanwhile, experts say that hardwood can last for as long as 100 years. You need only look at old homes, old buildings repurposed for businesses and museums, for example, to know that this is true. Part of the appeal of hardwood flooring, such as jarrah flooring, is its durability, lasting throughout generations and ageing with grace. While moisture might still be an issue, hardwood is easier to wipe up spills from, and engineered wood flooring has been shown to work spectacularly too. Intense heat can scar hardwood, but scorch marks can oftentimes be sanded out and refinished.
Where You Can Install
Carpets are recommended for bedrooms and recreation spaces such as dens and theatre rooms. It’s not ideal to install carpets in rooms that may be exposed to moisture, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
On the other hand, hardwood can be installed in any room, except for the bathroom. You can even install it in the kitchen, though it’s important to remember to clean up any spills as soon as you can to prevent warping and shifting of the floorboards.
Comfort and Sound
With carpets, it’s no surprise that one of its appeals is its comfort underfoot. It’s a good option for bedrooms, children’s rooms, and recreation spaces, boosting relaxation. It’s also much warmer, and won’t give you freezing feet in the mornings when the mercury dips. It’s also a good way to deaden sound in rooms, what with the floor’s entire surface being padded and insulated to keep noise to a minimum. Carpets have a cushioned surface that might be a factor to consider for parents or elderly homeowners, as they’re a softer flooring option for falls and slips.
Hardwood floors, especially when not installed properly, can be loud and produce hollow sounds. Homeowners with hardwood floors installed on upper levels have found that footsteps are easier to hear from downstairs. It’s important to note that hardwood surfaces are just that- hard, which means that if you’re after a comfortable walk you may need to get some comfortable slippers for the home if you’re not a fan of hardwood underfoot.
Cleaning and Health Benefits
Carpet is not recommended for homeowners with family members that have allergies, as it’s easy for dust mites and other allergens to reside in carpet fibres. Aside from dust and microorganisms, carpets are also usually made with chemicals that can cause adverse reactions from sensitive individuals. You would have to vacuum frequently to fight off dust build-up. Spills from coloured liquids can also stain your carpet if you’re not careful.
On the other hand, hardwood surfaces are easy to clean, and maintenance is usually just a soft broom and damp mop to keep your floors looking good. Dust and microorganisms don’t settle into the surface, and since it’s made from a natural material, there’s less risk of adverse reactions to this type of flooring, too.
While homeowners all over the world love hardwood flooring and opt for it instead of carpet, it’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong answer. The choice between carpet and hardwood mostly depends on your budget, lifestyle, and aesthetic. The right choice is the one that will suit your requirements the best.
But if you’re after high-quality timber flooring in Melbourne, get in touch with a timber flooring expert that can help you find the right kind of timber flooring for your needs, elevating your space into a beautiful home you’ll be proud to call yours.
