Home Design 101 Carpet or Hardwood Flooring?

Carpet and hardwood floors both have their advantages. For some people, the choice will be one of aesthetics and for others, the choice will include health concerns. While carpet can be kept clean by regular scrubbing with a commercial machine, it’s really not possible to remove all of the dirt that collects in the fibers. Hardwood is easier to clean, but doesn’t provide the comfort that carpeting does. 

Hardwood floors are generally better for people with breathing problems than carpet. Those who suffer severe allergies to dust and mold will also do much better without carpet. Hardwood floors can be cleaned up easily—they can be swept for maintenance—and they have no fibers to trap debris. This makes them very popular with those who suffer from conditions such as asthma and COPD.

For those who want more warmth and comfort in their home, carpet is a good choice. Carpet makes a room softer and keeps the floor warm, which is an attractive element for those who live in colder climates. Carpeting is also a lot easier to install than are hardwood floors. All it takes to trim a carpet into shape is a good knife, while laying hardwood flooring requires significant carpentry skills. This makes carpet more attractive than hardwood for those individuals who like doing their own home improvement work, but who aren’t adept at carpentry. In the end, the choice should really be about your personal preferences and how you envision your home.