Choosing between hardwood or carpet may seem like a simple decision, but there are definitely a few pros and cons to consider.
Pros of Hardwood
- Aesthetics
“[Hardwood] adds warmth, texture, and richness to a space. There is something so timeless, and classic about hardwood floors. They have been used for centuries, for good reason!” – Heather Petersen Design
- Cleanliness
Hardwood is known for being much cleaner than carpet as it doesn’t collect all of the dust and dirt beneath the surface. Despite best efforts, carpeting is never perfectly clean.
- Durability
Well maintained hardwood flooring can last decades!
- Area Rugs
Area rugs offer the benefits of carpeting while allowing you to enjoy the benefits of wood flooring. Additionally, they can be removed and professionally cleaned, without all the fuss of cleaning wall to wall carpet.
- Resale Value
The up-front cost may be higher, but hardwood can have a great resale value. A study of homebuyer preferences by USA Today found that 54% of home buyers were willing to pay more for a home with hardwood flooring.
- Health
Hardwood floors promote a more dust-free environment which can help to eliminate allergens and bacteria. You can learn more about this on our Healthy Homes page!
- Revivable
Even if hardwood floors get dull and worn, they can be revived with an additional coat of finish to bring them back to life.
Pros of Carpeting
- Muffles sounds
Carpeted rooms tend to be less noisy. This is why you see many people with hardwoods place area rugs throughout the space.
- Aesthetic options
Carpet selections are practically endless.
- Furniture stays put
This can be good or bad depending on your preference. But for those who do not like to rearrange their furniture often, carpet is a great option!
Cons of Hardwood
- Sounds levels
Sounds are not muffled in spaces with bare hardwood floors; however, furniture and area rugs can make a big difference.
- Scratches
As hard as you try to avoid it, some scratching may happen. This is why many people opt for more distressed options as it can be easier to hide any blemishes.
- Cost
“It’s a higher upfront investment than carpet, but hardwood adds a lasting value to a home that carpet can’t.” – Floor Installation Professional
- Furniture pads
The smart thing to do if you have hardwood floor is to place protective pads at the bottom of your furniture to prevent potential scratching. It can be a bit of a hassle up front, but it is well worth it.
Cons of Carpeting
- Dirty
Even if you vacuum daily, carpeting is dirtier than hardwood. You can always use a carpet cleaner, but it is more difficult and time-consuming than it is to maintain a wood floor.
“[Carpet] requires constant vacuuming as well as regular shampooing or steam cleaning because it’s a magnet for dust, dirt, allergens, pet hairs and heaven knows what else.” – Click to read more
- Aesthetics
Generally, carpeting is less attractive than wood floors; however, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. You just might prefer the look of carpeting.
- Replacement cost
When comparing cost, keep in mind that you will have to replace carpeting more quickly than hardwood flooring.
- Stains
While today’s carpeting offers decent stain resistance and steam cleaners can do a great job removing stains, you can still end up with permanent carpet stains more easily. However, wood flooring can stain (especially from moisture) as well so any spills should be cleaned up immediately.
Hardwood or carpet?
You can easily use large area rugs or any mix of hardwood and carpet to satisfy your specific tastes – ultimately, when making the decision between hardwood or carpet, it comes down to personal preference. Do you want to learn more about hardwood flooring? Browse through some of our educational blog posts!
Photo details
All of the photos in this article are real installations by Spotlight Dealer Howdyshell Flooring in Midlothian, Virginia.
