Hard Flooring Versus Carpeting: Pros and Cons

Building a new house or renovating your home can be an exciting time for homeowners of every age, lifestyle and budget, but there is always one particular decision that can often require a good bit of foresight and thought: should you choose carpeting or hard flooring for your house?

Of course, much of this decision comes down to personal taste. Why, it is without much doubt that a good number of people probably associate wealth with lush, wall-to-wall carpeting, while others can think of nothing more beautiful than a well-polished hardwood floor; others believe tile to be a fine option for a home. Vinyl is a good idea for cutting costs. But, really, what are the objective pros and cons of carpeting versus hard flooring? There are several for each and this article will examine some of the major pros and cons of both carpeting and hard flooring.

CARPETING

Pro#1: Carpeting is Plush

Ah, nothing beats the crush of a carpet under your bare feet. Carpeting looks lush, and the luxuriance of a new carpet in a room of nice furnishings is something many people absolutely love.

Con #1: Carpeting Won't Stay Plush Forever

OK, so maybe carpeting arrives in the home plush. But for how long will the carpet stay that way? While some manufacturers offer anti-crush warranties, the truth is a carpets eventually do wear out, and what the homeowner is left with, if the carpet is not replaced, is a tired-looking matted floor covering.

Pro #2: Carpeting Can Make a Room Look Warm and Inviting

Think of all the places you have been with carpeting-even doctor's offices, insurance companies, and the tax advisor. Okay, maybe we would all rather be elsewhere than any of the above locations, but you have to admit-a nice carpet does not hurt the appearance of even the most unsavory of places. Yes, they are soft, but they can also look and feel warm, give the room a cozier feel, and a nice-looking, soft carpet almost begs to be walked on. Furthermore, with a carpet's (and its padding's) insulating properties, a carpet can actually feel warm on a cold and blustery day!

Con #2: Carpets Are Hard to Keep Clean