In the age-old debate between carpet and wood flooring, there is finally a clear winner. Considering style, durability, cleanliness, and maintenance, hardwood flooring wins hands down.
How many homeowners have finally gotten so disgusted with the carpet in their homes,
that they finally pull up that hideous mustard-colored shag carpet, only to be delightfully surprised with hard wood flooring? Perhaps they were planning to replace the dated, worn out carpet with new, more modern floor covering, but not now. Why would they want to cover a hardwood floor? While warmth and comfort clearly weigh in on the side of carpet, on the side of hardwood flooring, there are many good reasons to keep it uncovered.
1. Style
Instead of changing out carpet with each passing fad or -- worse -- having your home appear dated, after only a few years, you allow wood flooring to keep your home looking stylish. Unless or until wood goes completely out of style (what a thought!) you simply can't go wrong with wood. If you like to redecorate often, colors in your carpet might get in the way. While you can get slipcovers for furniture, the cost of new carpet might get in the way of your inner decorator -- that is, unless you don't have carpet, at all!
2. Durability
When carpet gets worn out, you really have no option other than enduring or replacing it. Sure, you can try to cover it up, but putting a footstool in the middle of the hallway probably won't go over with the rest of your family too well. Attempts to avoid wear-and-tear in high-traffic areas may include unsightly plastic runners, but they are, after all, unsightly. With wood floors, though, wear and tear is minimal, and it can be lessened by waxing and disguised by refinishing. It can also be avoided by well-placed, attractive area rugs.
3. Cleanliness
Especially if you have children or pets or like to spend time outdoors, trying to keep your carpet flooring moderately clean can be a chore! You may find yourself vacuuming several times a week, and still cringing as you put your baby on the floor. If your carpet is a light color, spots can show up easily, and if it's dark enough to mask the filth, that's a little scary, too. Stains can happen easily, as well, and if you could only log the hours you've spent trying to rub chemicals into the stains, hoping they'll come out, you might be able to afford new carpet, someday.
4. Maintenance
While some wood floors need waxing, periodically, and refinishing, after many years, all you need to do on a regular basis is sweep or dry mop them. Some people may opt to vacuum, instead. By contrast, carpet needs nearly constant care. In addition to vacuuming, professional services are needed often. Steam cleaning, shampooing, stretching -- all those services take time and money as well as a disruption to your home life and privacy. Wood flooring is virtually maintenance free. If you have the choice between wood flooring and carpet, it's probably an easy one.
