Whether
you're decorating your first home or the interior of your property needs some
TLC, the flooring you choose will have a big difference in how your property
looks and feels. However, deciding between carpet or laminate flooring can be
difficult, especially in your first house.
To help you
make an informed decision, this blog will explain the pros of each flooring
type, how each will suit your desired decor and important lifestyle factors to
consider.
The benefits of hardwood flooring
Wooden
flooring is a modern and popular choice for many homes, offering an effortless
yet modern look to the home.
Durability
Despite
being vulnerable to wear and tear, oak laminate flooring can be very durable
and resistant. Whereas carpet can begin to lose its pile over time, hardwood
flooring is long lasting as it can withstand heavy footfall in domestic and
commercial environments.
Maintenance and cleanliness
Unlike
carpet, hardwood flooring requires little maintenance to keep it looking good.
This type of flooring can be refinished, making it look like new simply by
sanding and polishing it. Furthermore, wooden flooring is a lot easier to keep
clean - a steam mop will kill all germs remove odours. However, carpets have
been found to hold around 200,000 bacteria
per square inch,
making it 4,000 times dirtier than the average toilet seat! To properly clean
carpet, professional carpet cleaning equipment is needed to remove dirt and
germs that sit below the surface area.
Timeless
If cared for
properly, hardwood flooring can last for years. Additionally, hardwood flooring
is a timeless investment that won’t go in and out of fashion, this is great
within the home as you’ll be able to switch up your decor without running the
risk of your flooring clashing. Choosing this type of flooring will stop you
from laying down something new after only a few years.
Vinyl flooring
A similar
option to hardwood flooring is vinyl. The surface of vinyl flooring is simply a
printed copy of hardwood flooring, on a softer and more flexible material.
Benefits include:
Moisture resistant -
the biggest advantage of installing vinyl flooring is its
water-resistant properties. In comparison, moisture and spillages can cause
hardwood flooring to warp and expand, or leave permanent stains on carpets.
Vinyl, however, is easy to clean and won’t absorb moisture, making it the
perfect flooring for humid areas such as bathrooms.
Low maintenance -
to keep vinyl flooring clean, all
you need to do is sweep it to get rid of dirt and crumbs, and use a damp mop
with floor cleaner to remove stains and germs.
Budget-friendly -
if you want the look of hardwood
flooring but without the price tag, vinyl flooring is a great option.
The benefits of carpet
Despite
hardwood flooring taking preference throughout many homes, carpet is still a
great choice, especially for particular areas of the home such as the bedroom
and living room.
Warmth
If you want
to add some warmth into your home, carpet will keep your feet toasty warm,
especially during the winter. Carpet provides excellent insulation to a space,
easing you into those early morning starts and making the whole home feel cosy.
Sound
Spaces where
hardwood flooring is installed often have an echo, however, carpet will
eliminate this by absorbing sound and muting noise. From loud footsteps to
scratching paws, your home should be a space to relax, by minimising the amount
of noise that’s produced. Carpet is a great option if this is a factor you’d
like to address, not to mention, regular scratching and banging on hardwood
flooring will eventually cause permanent marks and damage.
Style
The great
thing about carpet is the range of colours, textures and patterns that are
available. Having such a vast choice means you can choose something that fits
your decor exactly, creating a well-designed look throughout.
Safety
One great
thing about carpet is that it cushions your footsteps, reducing your chances of
tripping or falling. If you’re worried about the safety of your home, or
perhaps you’d like some reassurance for a loved one, carpet may be a safer
option than hardwood floor. For those a little unsteady on their feet, wooden
flooring can become slippery and dangerous, however, carpet will offer support
and increase your confidence when moving around the home. Carpet does not have
to be used throughout a home or workplace, but installing it in areas that are
frequently used such as hallways or entrances will ensure they are safe.
What look are you trying to achieve?
It’s
important that you think about what decor style you are trying to achieve, and
a big part of this is through the flooring you choose. Here we explain some
common decor styles and how carpet or hardwood flooring may suit them.
Modern
Modern and
contemporary design are two words that are often used interchangeably, however,
modern design usually refers to simple colour palettes and sleek designs
whereas contemporary decors incorporate the trends of the here and now. If this
is the look you want to achieve hardwood flooring may be the best choice as it
fits in with the sleek and simple core of modern design.
Scandinavian
Taking
influence from the decor used in many Nordic countries, Scandinavian decors use
natural elements such as wood, focus on good lighting and uses textures such as
sheepskin and wool. Colour palettes usually contain neutral tones, greens,
blues and blush. Usually, this kind of design is finished off with wooden
flooring, however, you could also add textures by laying down fluffy rugs, or
installing a carpet which fits the colour palette.
Glam
If you want
to add a luxurious feel to your home, a glamorous decor will truly make a
statement. From plush velvet to grand mirrors and antiques, carpet is the
perfect flooring type for this style. Not only will it match your other soft
furnishings, but your home will instantly feel warm and comfortable.
Eclectic
Of course,
you don’t have to stick to just one type of decor, if you enjoy mixing pieces
from all periods, trends and styles, you most likely have an eclectic taste.
When put together in the right way, this type of decor can reflect your
personality and free-spirited nature. Made up of items you’ve collected over
the years or purchased in vintage, modern and secondhand stores your home will
tell a story which spans across several periods.
Does vinyl wood flooring suit your lifestyle?
As well as
ensuring that your chosen flooring fits in with your tastes and practical
requirements, it’s also important to make sure it suits your lifestyle. It’s
all well and good having flooring that is nice to look at, but if it doesn’t
match its environment it may not be the best choice.
Pets
Whether you
have an excitable puppy or a house cat, animals are prone causing wear and tear
around the home. If your pet needs house training, carpet may not be the best
choice - even when fully trained accidents can happen. In this case, hardwood
flooring or vinyl will be easier to clean and keep odourless. However, you
should consider that you may notice scratch marks on hardwood flooring, and
vinyl flooring may experience rips caused by claws.
Children
Small
children can cause a mess from sticky hands to spilt drinks, you want a
flooring type that will make cleanup easy. If this is a priority for you, then
hardwood flooring or laminate flooring could be best. On the other hand, it may
be safer to opt for carpet as this will support young children as they learn to
walk.
Cleaning
No matter if
you work full-time, part-time or from home, balancing your job and tasks around
the home can be difficult. Both carpet and hardwood flooring is easy to
maintain, however, carpet may start to look grubby quicker. If you need
something that isn’t high maintenance, hardwood may reduce your time spent
cleaning.
Country Flooring and Supplies: Making wood
flooring cost affordable
If this blog
has helped you make your decision about flooring, or perhaps you need some more
time to see what's on offer, County Flooring and Supplies
have
a range of hardwood flooring, carpets and vinyl. Based in Nottingham, we offer
high-quality flooring to suit everyone’s needs. Visit our showroom
today and see what we have on offer.
