Hardwood floors versus carpet is a popular debate in design. But when it comes to the facts, there are characteristics that can help homeowners make the decision between choosing carpet or hardwood. Between the cost to install and maintain, the resale value and durability - it's a lot to consider when perfecting your space. Let’s take a look at the differences between hardwood floors and carpet.
Installation Costs
When comparing the cost of installing hardwood floors versus carpet, quality hardwood flooring will almost always be a larger investment. Installing hardwood floors on average costs between $12 and $20 per square foot, while carpet costs about $6 to $12 per square foot. However, choosing manufactured hardwood flooring (also known as “man-made” or engineered) can be dramatically less expensive than solid hardwood floors. While the price range for engineered hardwood flooring is broad depending on the style and type, you can usually expect to pay between $7 and $15 per square foot installed for a quality product.
Many homeowners prefer a combination of hardwood and carpet flooring for certain rooms throughout the home. So your situation is unique depending on the project, size of the home, and personal preferences.
Resale Value & Investment
In terms of carpet vs hardwood resale value, there’s no question that hardwood flooring wins this match-up. A study of homebuyer preferences found that 54% of home buyers are willing to pay more for a home with hardwood floors. According to HGTV, the top request of home buyers and renters when looking for a home is hardwood floors.
The big difference in getting the most value from such an investment is longevity. Quality, well-maintained carpet can last 10 to 15 years, but typically needs to be replaced if it becomes worn out or stained.
Conversely, hardwood flooring can withstand significantly more wear, tear and spills without needing to be replaced. Quality hardwood floors can last a lifetime if well maintained. In turn, the long-term cost of hardwood against carpet flooring can offer a greater value. It can also minimize the hassle of ripping up old carpet and paying for installation fees for new carpet later down the road.
Maintenance
It's easy to argue that hardwood flooring is easier to clean and maintain compared to carpet. Hardwood floors can be swept or damp mopped to clean dust, spills, surface stains, and other debris. It can be more difficult to maintain the pristine shape of carpet because dust, dirt, and allergens become trapped within the fibers over time. While certain types of pretreated and synthetic fiber carpets are designed to resist stains, hardwood flooring is arguably easier to maintain in the long term.
Durability
Wear and tear will happen in your home no matter what. So if you are looking for flooring that lasts a lifetime, hardwood floors can last 50 to 100 years if properly maintained. Carpets typically only last as long as the quality of the material - anywhere from 5 to 15 years.
When you are designing or renovating your home, your preferences are all that matters! If you are having trouble deciding between hardwood flooring or carpet, contact our team at Surfaces PCB! Our interior designers can help you explore the vast varieties of cut, styles, fibers, and padding to get just the right look for your living room, kitchen, bedroom, or any area of your home. You can also visit our 12,000 square foot showroom in Panama City Beach to shop our extensive products.
