If you’ve been having the debate over which flooring to lay in your home – hardwood or carpet – here are some of the pros and cons of each to help you decide which one works best for your home.

Wooden flooring

This type of flooring is often associated with style, elegance and class. It offers a kind of rustic charm, warm and natural. It’s highly durable and with proper care can last for decades. They offer a timeless option, unaffected by fads and trends. A hardwood floor is also easier to mop up spills, wipe clean and doesn’t absorb smells or dirt the way a carpet can. It also doesn’t contain allergens and dust mites for example, so is a better option for those who suffer from allergies.

Wood flooring also provides a more neutral base from which to choose any decorating style or colour theme you desire. There need not be any concern over clashing colours or patterns. It is highly versatile and can be laid in any room of the house. When it begins to look a bit worn over time, there is no need to fully replace the flooring, a simple refinish will have it looking as good as new in no time.

However, installing hardwood flooring is more expensive than choosing other flooring types. You can get around this by choosing top-quality vinyl tiling in a wood-effect style. Using reclaimed wood also makes it cheaper, with the added benefit of being sustainable too.

It is believed that wood flooring adds value to your property, so you might consider it a worthwhile investment. Bear in mind that you might find it cold on your feet in some areas and many will tell you that it’s not possible to install underfloor heating under wood. You might also be concerned about rooms where there is a high level of humidity or a high chance of liquid spills, so this might rule out the kitchen and the bathroom. They do look amazing in hallways and dining rooms.

Carpets

As with wooden floors, carpets have both pros and cons. They are much warmer underfoot than traditional wood flooring and comfy to walk on, more so than wood. A carpet is also more pleasant to sit on, which could be a consideration if you have small children. Another benefit of carpet is that it absorbs sound. This is ideal if you don’t want to hear endless footsteps from running children and bounding pets! You could lay multiple rugs on wood to absorb some of the sound, but this defeats the purpose of having a beautiful wood floor. As they provide a level of thermal insulation, carpets are also slightly more energy efficient than wood.

You can make an interior design statement with carpet, choosing bold colours or interesting patterns. Alternatively, a neutral carpet also allows you to experiment with a mix of colours for the rest of your décor. Carpets are far quicker and cheaper to lay than solid wood flooring.

A downside to carpet is that it’s harder to clean. Although regular vacuuming helps, professional carpet cleaning is recommended at least once a year. Thankfully, the products used, and methods employed have improved considerably and booking a carpet clean couldn’t be easier. For a Cheltenham Carpet Cleaning Company, visit http://gnccontractservices.com/

You might be worried that carpets can stain easily, but it is possible to purchase stain-resistant carpets nowadays. You might not want carpet due to having allergies but wish you could have the warmth and comfort underfoot. Professional carpet cleaning will deep clean your carpet, removing allergens and leaving your home cleaner, fresher and more hygienic. Carpets are ideal for living rooms, hallways, bedrooms and dining rooms. You should consider alternative flooring types for kitchens and bathrooms though.