If you are replacing an old floor, then the likely choices are between the two most popular types of floor covering: wooden flooring or carpet. Both have their pros and cons so it is worth thinking about which will best suit your home.
Wooden Flooring
Wooden flooring is extremely versatile and can bring an air of elegance, style and charisma to any home. It can be thought of as a luxury, expensive flooring option. However, you can actually find wooden floors at reasonable prices depending upon you requirements. Any type of wooden flooring that you choose will offer you a timeless floor covering. Most types of hardwood are neutral in colours. These range from light golden brown to a darker brown, unless you choose a bright colour stain. This will mean that your floor should never look outdated. If and when you feel the need to redecorate your room, you should find it easy to change the décor and furnishings and keep your existing wooden floor.
One great thing about wooden floors is that you can add colour and patterns with your décor and not have to worry about it clashing with your floor. Wooden floors are aesthetically pleasing and extremely versatile. They are suitable for most areas in your home, with the exception of bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms. A wooden floor will look great in your hallway, living area, dining room, home office and even bedrooms. Engineered hardwood flooring is even more versatile, and can be used with underfloor heating and in rooms with fluctuating temperatures such as conservatories.
Hardwood flooring is very hygienic and a great choice for allergy sufferers. The smooth surface of the wooden floor does not absorb odours or harbour any pet hair, dust mites or other allergens. You will notice that wooden floors require very little care and maintenance. Just regular sweeping and occasional cleaning can keep your floor looking its best. You will need to protect your wood from spills, dents and scratches. Have a look at our Care and Maintenance Guide, for ideas on cleaning and preventing damage to your floor. Good quality wooden flooring, that has been installed correctly, can last you a lifetime. If necessary, they can be sanded and re-finished to remove scratches and surface damage. Individual planks of the flooring can even be removed and replaced if needed, although this should only be carried out by a wooden flooring professional.
If you choose wooden flooring you will be getting a floor that is natural, durable, easy to clean, versatile, hygienic and should last you a lifetime.
Carpet
Carpets are immediately warm and inviting. They are soft under your feet, comfy to walk and sit on, and absorb sound so you shouldn’t hear any echoes. A carpet can either be a statement piece with bold, bright colours and patterns. Alternatively, more neutral tones can bring a blank canvas to your room. The type of carpet you choose is important as you want it to match or complement your décor. You will also need to think about years to come, when you may need to redecorate. Will you still want the stripy blue carpet or is it safer to go for a more neutral choice? Carpets are generally less expensive to purchase and install than wooden flooring. However, this can be a reflection of the quality of the carpet.
As with most things, the better the quality, the longer it will last but the more expensive it may be. Similar to wooden flooring, carpets are suitable for most areas in your home. It is not advisable to have a carpet in your bathroom, kitchen or laundry room though. A warm and comfy carpet can look great in your a living area or bedroom. Be careful with carpets in your hallway or dining room, they can be quite hard to clean, especially spills, dirt or stains. You will need to regularly vacuum a carpet to remove daily dirt and dust. You will also need to steam clean them occasionally. Steam cleaning will help to remove more stubborn stains and ground in dirt, but some are difficult or even impossible to remove, especially if you have a light coloured carpet. Allergy sufferers should avoid having carpets. Some cheaper carpets are produced using synthetic products and can contain harsh chemicals. The carpet loops (especially deep pile carpets) can easily trap pet hair, pollen and dust mites. These can be really difficult to completely get rid of, even with a carpet cleaning machine. A carpet won’t last you a lifetime. Depending upon the quality and how often the room is used, they can start to become worn looking after a few years. The average lifetime of a carpet is around 10 years. If they become damaged, they are difficult to repair and it would probably be cheaper to replace the whole carpet.
Other alternative flooring options
If you are still not sure whether to choose wooden flooring or carpet, then you might want to consider some other alternatives. Laminate flooring and Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) are becoming more and more popular with homeowners. Luxury Vinyl Tiles is flooring that has been made to mimic the appearance of wooden flooring or stone tiles, but it is much more resilient and durable. It is easy to clean, soft and warm underfoot, hardwearing and some types are even waterproof. It is the perfect choice for the rooms where you cannot use wooden flooring or carpet: bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens. Laminate flooring is mostly made to look like wooden flooring but at a much lower cost, as it does not actually contain any real hardwood. Although it is a cheaper alternative, you would need to be careful where you used it as is not always waterproof and cheaper version can easily become damaged.
Wooden flooring or carpet?
• Wooden flooring is far more hygienic and much more suitable for allergy sufferers.
• Carpets can be found cheaper than hardwood flooring but require more maintenance and have a much shorter lifespan.
• Wooden flooring can last a lifetime of looked after properly.
• Carpets are warmer underfoot and more comfortable to walk on.
• Wooden flooring can be sanded and re-finished to bring back their natural beauty.
• Carpets can go out of fashion quite quickly as the trends change. Wooden flooring has a timeless appeal.
• Wooden flooring is made from natural hardwood. Carpets use synthetic materials.
• Wooden flooring is quick and easy to clean and requires little maintenance.
