Learn the key differences
Carpet and hardwood are two of the most common flooring materials.
They are also the most different from one another.
There are somenatural fiber carpetsmostly cotton or woolbut most are made from nylon or polyester.
Margot Cavin / The Spruce
Carpeting is manufactured in huge rolls and purchased by the square foot.
Solid hardwood flooring is made of felled trees milled intorough lumber.
The edges are shaped with tongue-and-grooves that allow the boards to interlock as they are installed.
Margot Cavin / The Spruce
Another form of hardwood flooring is known as engineered hardwood flooring.
This construction makes the flooring more affordable and stabilizes the boards against expanding and shrinking from changing humidity levels.
Carpet is soft to the touch and in its appearance.
Margot Cavin / The Spruce
Hardwood flooring creates a bold statement, and it feels and looks firm and stable.
However, engineered wood flooring may be stable enough in these circumstances.
Hardwood can be scarred by intense heat, though mild scorch marks can sometimes be sanded out and refinished.
Margot Cavin / The Spruce
Both materials can be scorched or burned by cigarettes.
Care and Cleaning
Routine cleaning carpet involvessimple but frequent vacuuming.
Carpet is also regarded as a poor flooring material for those suffering from allergies.
Margot Cavin / The Spruce
Of the two materials, hardwood flooring is by far easier to clean.
Properly maintained, hardwood flooring can last for many decades, and some higher-end materials last for generations.
Moreover, solid hardwood can be fully sanded down and refinished when wear becomes severe.
Most floors can be sanded three or even four times over their lifespans.
The surface varnish should be renewed every few years between sanding.
This usually involves lightly abrading the finish with a sanding screen, and then applying a good-quality polyurethane varnish.
The carpeting is then stretched and trimmed to a precise fit with special tools.
Seams between carpet pieces are joined with heat-activated tape placed below the seams.
This is not an easy or DIY process, so it’s best to have professionals install carpeting.
However, it’s more common for solid hardwood flooring to be prefinished at the factory.
This is also true of all engineered hardwood flooring products.
Hardwood flooring installation is also usually done by professionals.
However, costs for professional installation are considerably higher for hardwood flooring.
Cost
Most carpets are considerably less expensive than most hardwood materials.
Costs can also run as high as $20 per square foot for the highest quality wool carpets.
Solid hardwood flooring costs start at around $6 per square foot and go up from there.
Hardwood flooring costs, on average, about $6 to $12 per square foot, installed.
Lifespan
Carpet is generally ready for replacement in 10 years or less.
Hardwood flooring is typically sold in 48-inch-long boards, ranging from 1 1/2 to 4 inches wide.
The thickness of solid hardwood flooring boards is usually 3/4 inches.
Engineered hardwood has a greater range, with planks as wide as 7 inches.
However, new carpeting will certainly be seen as an improvement over shabby old flooring.
Hardwood flooring is an approved design choice over carpeting in residential applications.
It is regarded as high-end and luxurious because it is a natural material that lasts longer than carpet.
Comfort and Sound
Perhaps the main advantage that carpet has over hardwood is comfort.
Carpet is much warmer than hardwood floors, especially on a chilly winter morning.
In addition, carpeting has excellent sound-deadening properties.
Carpet is a safer flooring choice because of its cushioning.
However, carpet can be a poor choice for allergy sufferers.
A major complaint about hardwood floors is that they are loud.
When installed on upper levels, people below often complain that they can hear every footstep.
Hardwood does hold one important comfort though.
Hardwood can also be appealing to those concerned about using green building materials.
Most carpeting is made largely from refined petroleum products, which are not natural.
Hardwood is a natural material made from trees that can be replanted and renewed.
Just be prepared to replace the carpet every 10 years or so.
How Much Does Carpet Replacement Cost?Angi.
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Healthier Carpets.
