If you're replacing an old floor, then the likely choices are between the two most well-known kinds of floor covering: hardwood floors or carpeting. Both have their pros and cons so it is well worth thinking about that will best suit your house.
Cosmetic Flooring
Wooden flooring is very versatile and can bring an air of elegance, charm and style to any residence. It can be thought of as a luxury, expensive flooring alternative. However, you can really find wooden floors at reasonable prices depending upon your prerequisites.
Any sort of wooden flooring which you opt for will provide you with a classic floor covering. Many kinds of wood are impartial in colors. This may indicate that your flooring shouldn't seem obsolete. When and if you are feeling the need to decorate your space, you need to find it simple to alter the décor and furnishings and maintain your existing hardwood flooring. 1 great thing about hardwood flooring is that you could add color and patterns along with your décor and not need to think about it clashing with your flooring.
Wooden flooring are aesthetically pleasing and incredibly versatile. A wooden flooring will look great in your hall, living room, dining area, home office as well as bedrooms. Engineered hardwood floors is much more flexible, and may be used with underfloor heating system and also in rooms with varying temperatures such as knots.
Hardwood flooring is very hygienic and a excellent choice for allergy sufferers. You will notice that hardwood flooring require very little care and upkeep. Just routine sweeping and occasional cleaning are able to keep your floor looking its best. You will need to protect your hardwood from spills, scratches and dents. Have a peek at our Care and Maintenance Guide, for ideas on cleaning and preventing damage to your floor.
Fantastic quality hardwood floors, that has been installed properly, can last you a life. If necessary, they may be sanded and re-finished to eliminate scratches and surface damage. Individual planks of this flooring can even be eliminated and replaced if necessary, although this should only be carried out with way of a wooden flooring professional.
Carpet
Carpets are immediately inviting and warm. They are soft under your feet, comfy to sit and walk , and absorb noise so that you should not hear any echoes. Or more neutral tones can bring a blank canvas into your room. The kind of rug you choose is important because you want it to complement or match your décor. You will also have to think about years to come, once you might have to redecorate. Will you want the stripy blue carpet or is it safer to go to get a more neutral option?
Carpets are usually less expensive to purchase and install than wooden flooring. However, this can be a manifestation of the quality of the carpeting. As with most items, the greater the grade, the more it will last but the more costly it might be.
Similar to hardwood floors, carpets are acceptable for most areas in your home. It isn't a good idea to have a carpet in your bathroom, kitchen or laundry area though. A warm and comfy carpet may look great in your a living area or bedroom. Be careful with carpets in your hallway or dining room, they may be very hard to clean, particularly spills, stains or dirt. You'll need to frequently vacuum a carpet to remove daily dirt and dust. You'll also need to steam clean them occasionally. Steam cleaning will help remove more stubborn stains and ground in dirt, but some are difficult or even impossible to eliminate, especially in case you've got a light colored carpet.
Allergy sufferers should avoid having rugs. Some less costly carpets are produced using synthetic products and may contain harsh chemicals. The carpet loops (especially heavy pile carpets) can easily trap pet hair, pollen and dust mites. These may be really difficult to completely get rid of, in spite of a carpet cleaning system.
A rug won't last you a life. Depending on the quality and how often the area is utilized, they could start to become worn appearing after a couple of years. The average lifetime of a carpet is approximately 10 years. Should they get damaged, they are hard to repair and it would most likely be cheaper to replace the whole carpet.
Other alternative flooring alternatives
If you're still unsure whether to select hardwood floors or carpeting, then you might want to think about some other alternatives.
Luxury Vinyl Tiles is floor that's been designed to mimic the appearance of hardwood floors or stone tiles, but it is much more resilient and durable. It's easy to clean, warm and soft underfoot, hardwearing and some types are waterproof. It is the perfect pick for those rooms in which you cannot use hardwood floors or carpeting: baths, laundry rooms and rooms.
Laminate floors is mostly designed to look like wooden flooring but at a much lower price, as it does not actually contain any real hardwood. Even though it's a more affordable alternative, you would have to be careful where you utilized it as isn't necessarily watertight and cheaper version can easily become damaged.
Wooden flooring or carpet?
- Engineered floors is a lot more hygienic and far more appropriate for allergy sufferers.
- Carpets can be found cheaper than hardwood floors but need more maintenance and have a much shorter lifespan.
- Engineered floors may endure for a life of looked after properly.
- Carpets are warmer underfoot and more comfortable to walk on.
- Wooden flooring can be sanded and re-finished to restore their natural attractiveness.
- Cabinets can move out of fashion quite quickly because the tendencies change. Wooden flooring has a timeless charm.
- Wooden flooring is made from natural hardwood. Carpets use synthetic materials.
- Engineered floors is quick and simple to clean and requires little maintenance.
