23 Mar Carpet VS Hard Flooring – Which Is Better For Your Home?
Have you picked a side in the carpet vs hard flooring debate? Whether you’re building or renovating, the type of flooring you install will be one of the first choices you have to make. While there are some rooms – such as kitchens and bathrooms – that simply must have hard flooring, other areas of the home will present you with the tough decision between carpet and floorboards. To help make this decision easier, there are a few factors you’ll want to consider for each space, and we’ve outlined them below for your convenience:
Comfort
Our homes are meant to be the most comfortable place in the world to us, so it makes sense that the first thing you’re going to want to consider when deciding between carpet and hard flooring is the comfort level each option will provide. In most cases, carpet is a clear winner on this front, as sinking your toes into a plush and inviting floor when coming home from a long, hard day is quite relaxing and can help you switch from work to relaxation mode.
Having said that, those with sensory issues, or who prefer a simpler texture, may be better off installing hard flooring throughout their home.
Warmth
The next thing you’ll want to think about is warmth. Similar to the comfort factor, the warmth of your flooring will have a significant impact on how welcoming your home is. Luxury Vinyl Plank and plenty of rugs can achieve warmth in areas where carpet isn’t practical (think kitchens, bathrooms and entrance ways) while carpet can really enhance the inviting feeling of bedrooms and living spaces that are suitable for installation of this kind of flooring.
Luxury
There’s nothing quite as luxurious as a thick, soft carpet. Master suites in particular will really benefit from having a high grade carpet installed in them, as this allows for the design of a quieter, more intimate space. Carpet is also an ideal choice for home libraries, offices and formal sitting rooms for this reason.
Having said that, there’s no reason why hard flooring can’t provide a luxurious feel for areas of your home where carpet is unsuitable or in spaces where you just want things to be a bit easier to maintain.
Ease Of Maintenance
Speaking of ease of maintenance, hard flooring tends to win on this front, as it’s a solid surface that can easily be swept and mopped as needed. This is particularly important in areas that often get dirty (such as laundries, kitchens and entranceways) so if you’re wanting to minimise the time you spend caring for your space, you’re better off choosing floorboards.
This doesn’t mean, however, that carpet is difficult to maintain (as generally all it requires is a good vac and a steam clean every so often when it’s properly cared for) but it can be harder to keep carpet nice when installed in areas where it can get dirty or stained.
Top Tip: Our Pet Defence underlay isn’t just for homes with pets, it can also help prevent carpets from staining and assist you in building a healthier home.
Durability
Finally, durability is another front that hard flooring tends to win on, purely because it’s a lot harder to damage a hard surface than a fabric one. This doesn’t mean that floorboards are indestructible though, and all flooring types have specific care needs that must be adhered to in order for them to stay in top condition.
So, now that you’ve got a better idea of which flooring type is best for your home, it’s time to select a top quality underlay to support your choice. After all, a floor will only ever be as good as the underlay that supports it, so it’s vital to put thought into this part of your build as well. We offer both carpet underlay and hard flooring underlay, so have a look through our range and be sure to let your local flooring specialist know what option you want installed to support your floors.