Hardwood Floor vs Carpet: The Pros and Cons 

Replacing flooring is the 3rd most popular home renovation project today behind painting and bathroom remodeling. It’s an economical and worthwhile way to make every room look and feel better.

The first step in taking on this project is deciding what type of material to use. There are several options, but carpet and hardwood are two of the most common. 

Comparing the two is the best way to decide between them. Read our comparison guide to learn the pros and cons of hardwood floor vs carpet.

Hardwood Floor 

The pros and cons of hardwood flooring relate to its look, options, cleaning, maintenance, longevity, sound absorption, and resale value.

One of the major benefits of hardwood flooring is its natural, appealing look. It’s also a greener flooring option.

Hardwood comes in different sizes and thicknesses, but they mostly look the same. If you like the look, you still may want to install it throughout your house, but avoid rooms that gather moisture or heat.

Hardwood floors are easy to clean. Occasional sweeping, vacuuming, and damp-mopping is all that’s needed. They’re also easy to maintain and refinish, and all of this effort keeps allergens away and makes them last longer than carpet. They can stay in a home for hundreds of years

Buyers know about these hardwood floor benefits and realize it’s a long-lasting and beautiful material. THey’re willing to pay more for it, and resale value is one of the main differences between hardwood floor vs carpet.

To be specific, homes with hardwood floors sell for approximately 2.5% more than those with other types of flooring. Installing them is also a worthwhile investment with an ROI of 70-80%.

Hardwood flooring is louder than carpet, and you may end up hearing every step that anyone makes. It’s also more expensive, so it’s not the right choice for every home.

Carpet

The pros and cons of carpet relate to its customizability, cost, longevity, comfort, sound absorption, and resale value.

Carpets come in plenty of colors and textures. You can customize them to each room based on its purpose and color scheme.

The material is comfortable and quiet and holds heat. It’s also softer, reducing the risk of injuries or broken objects.

Carpets are resistant to water damage. Despite this, it isn’t recommended for wet areas like bathrooms because it gathers mold even easier than hardwood.

Cleaning carpet only requires simple vacuuming, but stains can seep into it and become difficult to remove. It also retains indoor allergens such as:

• Dust and dust mites
• Mold
• Pollen
• Insects
• Pet dander

Carpet only lasts a few decades, and you’ll need to replace it often. It’s not the best choice if you’re planning on selling your home soon because it doesn’t add as much resale value as hardwood.

Comparing carpet vs hardwood floor helps you decide between them, but it’s also helpful to know when to install them. If you’re wondering if you need new flooring, click for more information.

Deciding Between Hardwood Floors vs Carpet

Comparing all your flooring options before renovating is the best way to find the right one for you. Start with 2 of the most common options; hardwood floor vs carpet.

Carpets are softer, cheaper, and better at blocking sound. They don’t last as long, hold allergens, and won’t increase your resale value as much.

Hardwood has a natural look and can last for hundreds of years, making it a worthwhile investment in your resale value. Keep in mind that it’s also more expensive and louder than carpet.

Read the rest of our content for more home renovation guides.