Carpet vs. Hardwood: Expert Advice on the Best Choice for Your Home
27 Jun 2024
When it comes to choosing the right flooring for your home, the decision often comes down to carpet vs. engineered wood flooring. Both options have their own set of advantages and considerations, making them suitable for different needs and preferences.
In this blog, we'll explore the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed choice, followed by a Q+A with one of our product specialists.
Carpet Flooring
Carpet flooring consists of synthetic, wool, or cotton fibers looped together in a tightly woven grid. As the “wall-to-wall” nickname suggests, carpeting covers the entirety of a room, often sitting atop padding or soft underlay. Both layers attach to the subfloor with staples, nails, and adhesive, meaning that it is—comparatively—easy to install and remove carpet yourself.
Hardwood Flooring
You’ll find hardwood flooring in a seemingly endless variety of materials, colors, and styles. The most popular types of hardwood include pine, oak, birch, and maple, though engineered wood flooring offers a modern and cost-effective option. Hardwood floors sit atop a subfloor and joists and attach with nails and a tongue-and-groove system between boards.
An Expert's Insight: Interview with Product Specialist Jillian
To dive deeper into the carpet vs. hardwood debate, we sat down with Jillian, our experienced Product Specialist, with a background in textiles to discuss the key factors that homeowners should consider.
H: What should people understand about the potential health risks of carpeting in the bedroom? How might it affect sleep quality?
J: The way that carpet fiber is created and then woven together is specifically done so it will mask dust and dirt in the twists and turns. If you’re someone who doesn’t regularly deep clean their carpet, especially a high pile one, it will be stuffed full of dead skin cells, dust, dirt, food crumbs, soil, pollen, etc. Regular vacuuming doesn’t do enough to clean and sanitize soft surfaces.
H: What makes wood a better alternative in a bedroom? Does it offer any sleep benefits?
J: On a basic level, if one has allergies, a carpet will hide pollen and could be the source of stuffy noses in the spring and summer. Lots of people like to keep their windows open in the spring and summer to air out their room but this can let all the dust and pollen enter from outside to inside and settle on the carpet. When you’re sneezing and coughing all night, you definitely can’t get a good sleep!
H: How do rugs fit into this scenario? Any consideration if people really want to include a throw rug beneath the bed or other areas of the house?
J: Rugs can be a great alternative to completely covering a floor with carpet. Rugs are more easily washed and cleaned and often have a lower pile, making it even easier. It can help to warm up the space without providing the same drawbacks that carpet does, giving you a nice place to land your feet in the morning without stepping on months or years worth of dander. Especially if you have pets! Rugs can help to protect hardwood surfaces making it a win-win for high traffic areas. Since rugs are smaller than a space, they can easily be moved around and switching up styles is a breeze.
Order Jillian's Preferred Floor
Make the Switch to Hardwood with Confidence
Choosing the right flooring can significantly impact the comfort, health, and aesthetic of your home. With hardwood flooring, you not only gain a timeless and elegant look but also a healthier environment, particularly in bedrooms where clean air is crucial for a good night's sleep.
Get in touch with Jillian to discuss your hardwood flooring options today! Discover how you can transform your living space with our premium engineered wood floors and create a healthier, more beautiful home.
