One of the greatest debates in interior design history is carpet vs. hardwood flooring. Some believe carpets belong in the past and that hardwood flooring redefines the modern home. Meanwhile, others still favor carpets for their texture, padding, and design and shun hardwood flooring for being cold, hard, and uncomfortable.

The reality is that these two flooring options are unique in their respective functionalities and characteristics. Both have pros and cons, and it’s up to the homeowner to weigh and choose between carpet and hardwood flooring. If you’re struggling to pick between carpets and hardwood floors for your home, you’ve come to the right place.

This article will help you better understand the hardwood flooring vs. carpet debate and see if the latter is the right choice for your home. 

Carpet vs. Hardwood Flooring: What’s the Difference?

A carpet is a thick textile floor covering, while hardwood flooring is a ground overlay consisting of wooden planks. Both flooring options have distinct characteristics meant to cater to various needs and preferences. Let’s look at some of their differences below:

 

	Carpet	Hardwood flooring
Form	Sold as huge rolls	Sold as either solid wood boards or engineered hardwood
Functionalities	Provides warmth and comfort, dampens footstep sounds, and makes slips and falls less painful	Resists wear and tear, improves indoor air quality and room acoustics, and makes spaces look bigger
Style	Comes in different colors, patterns, textures, and material compositions	Comes in different wood types and finishes
Durability / Lifespan	Lasts between 10-15 years	Lasts between 50-100 years but still depends on several factors such as floor finish, wood type, and maintenance
Pricing	Depends on carpet material and design, floor prep, size and share of the room, and homeowner’s preferences	Depends on the wood type, finish, size and shape of the room, condition of the subfloor, flooring pattern, and homeowner’s preferences
Maintenance	Requires regular vacuuming or deep cleaning, especially when dust, dirt, spills, and stains get trapped within fibers	Can be swept or cleaned with a damp mop and refinished instead of replaced when showing signs of wear and tear

• Form

Carpets are typically measured in feet and sold as huge rolls. Meanwhile, hardwood flooring is sold either as solid wood boards or engineered hardwood. 

• Functionalities

Carpets and hardwood flooring have different purposes. The former provides warmth and comfort, dampens footstep sounds, and makes slips and falls less painful. On the other hand, hardwood flooring resists wear and tear, improves indoor air quality and room acoustics, and creates an illusion that spaces like bedrooms and hallways look bigger.

• Style

Carpets come in different colors, patterns, textures, and material compositions, allowing homeowners to match their flooring with other aspects of their rooms, like furniture and wall color. Meanwhile, hardwood flooring comes in different wood types and finishes. They’re usually clean and polished and have less color and vibrance. 

• Durability / Lifespan

Carpets typically have a short life span, usually lasting between 10-15 years. On the other hand, hardwood floors have a longer life span, lasting between 50-100 years. However, some hardwood floors begin to fade after 25 years. Their wear and tear still depend on floor finish, wood type, and maintenance, among other factors.

• Pricing

The costs of carpets and hardwood flooring depend on many factors. For instance, carpet prices depend on design and material, the required floor prep for them, the size and share of the room, and the homeowner’s preferences for the floor covering.

Meanwhile, hardwood flooring prices depend on wood type, finish, size and shape of the room, subfloor condition, flooring pattern, and the homeowner’s preferences. Usually, carpets cost less than hardwood flooring.

• Maintenance

Between the two options, hardwood flooring is typically easier to clean than carpets. Some carpets even require regular vacuuming or deep cleaning, especially when dust, dirt, spills, and stains get trapped within their fibers. Meanwhile, you can clean hardwood floors with a simple broom and mop. You can also refinish it when it shows signs of wear and tear.

If you want to enhance the longevity of your carpets, opt for professional carpet cleaning services to address deep-seated issues and maintain their pristine condition.

5 Reasons to Choose Carpets

Carpets and hardwood floors have respective pros and cons. However, if you’re aiming for safety and comfort, you should opt for carpets. Here are five more reasons you should install carpets in your home.

1. Provides foot comfort

Since most carpets are thick and padded, they’re comfortable to walk, sit, and even lie on. For example, polyester carpets are considered the softest among other carpet materials.

2. Makes spaces safer for children, senior citizens, people with disabilities (PWDs), and pets

Carpets suit homes with children, senior citizens, PWDs, and pets since they’re soft and non-slippery. You and your loved ones can walk barefoot on a carpeted floor and not worry about falling or skidding.

3. Highlights durability and sustainability

There are two types of carpet materials: natural and synthetic. The former consists of solution-dyed natural fibers, hand-knotted and woven into carpets, while the latter incorporates polypropylene, polyester, and nylon fibers.

Between them, synthetic carpets are specifically designed for durability and long-term maintenance. They’re also easier and quicker to clean than natural carpets. Meanwhile, some natural carpets are biodegradable, which helps protect the environment.

4. Keeps dust and allergens out of the air

Contrary to popular belief, carpets can be good for health, especially if synthetic. Polyester carpets shed moisture and resist molds and mildew, making them easy to clean and ideal for people with health concerns like allergies.

5. Offers personality 

Who says you can’t incorporate your personal style with flooring? Carpets come in different colors, styles, textures, and designs, allowing you to spruce up your living spaces while staying within budget and aiming for comfort. There will always be a carpet suited to your needs, regardless if you’re a minimalist or maximalist at home.

Make Your Living Spaces Pop with High-Quality Carpets 

The carpet vs. hardwood floors debate will never end, so long as there will always be homeowners who prefer one over the other. Nonetheless, it’s a discussion worth having as you want the best flooring for your home. Though if you’re aiming for comfort, safety, and affordability, you should make carpets your best option. 

Look no further than Eurobel Rugs + Carpets for the best rugs and carpets in the Philippines. We have non-shedding, synthetic carpets and area rugs on sale, meant to make shared or personal spaces warmer and more comfortable. They also come in different prices and designs to cater to various customer needs.

We also have rug and carpet showrooms where you can personally check and feel our products and consult with our specialists. Book a demo today to see how our carpets can blend with your home’s interior.