When looking at carpet vs wood floor costs there are several factors that you need to consider. Here's how to make sure you get the best deal.
It's the eternal dilemma when it comes to choosing the right flooring for your home. Do you go with a lovely hardwood option or instead, install that carpet you simply love the color of?
One factor must be considered for everyone on a budget, namely the cost of each of these options.
When it comes to carpet vs. wood floor costs, there are a number of variables to consider. Take a look below to learn more about the costs associated with purchasing both wood and carpeted flooring.
Soon enough, you'll be fully prepared to make the right decision for your budget.
The Cost of Hardwood Flooring: Material and Installation
The average cost of hardwood flooring in your home can vary greatly depending on the type of hardwood flooring you choose. For example, if you're looking to install reclaimed wood, you'll likely be spending more than you would on a more budget-friendly hardwood option.
When selecting your flooring, you'll also want to consider that pricing includes the cost of the material itself, as well as the cost of installation.
If you know your flooring project will require professional installation, there are more cost-effective hardwood options that will leave you with a little bit more wiggle room for these installation costs.
The Cost of Carpet Flooring: Material and Installation
Now, onto the materials and installation for carpet flooring.
Much like with hardwood flooring options, you can expect to spend more on a better quality carpet. As a general rule, you will usually find more varied price points for carpet flooring than with a hardwood equivalent. In general, you'll likely pay less for carpet flooring and installation than you would hardwood.
In addition to the material you select and the upfront installation costs, the worth of your flooring can also be calculated based on how long it will last as well as how much it costs to be maintained.
For more reasons to explore carpet options, especially for cozier areas of the home, read 7 Tips on Choosing a Carpet for your Living Room.
The Cost of Hardwood Flooring: Maintenance and Lifespan
Maintaining hardwood floors involves cleaning the surface. This means both sweeping and mopping quite regularly. Provided you do this often enough and avoid wearing shoes on the hardwood when possible, your hardwood floor should maintain its quality for a long time.
If required, professional maintenance can also extend the life of your floors. This is done by refinishing your hardwood flooring. Refinishing your hardwood floors is not always essential, provided you keep the hardwood properly swept and cleaned, but this potential future service should be an additional cost that comes to mind when initially purchasing the floors.
Hardwood flooring has an incredibly long lifespan. With proper care, high-quality hardwood flooring can last for full generations. Be sure that sanding occurs approximately 4 times across its' lifespan and that the varnish is renewed. Check these boxes and your initial investment in hardwood flooring will last for decades.
The Cost of Carpet Flooring: Maintenance and Lifespan
When it comes to carpet maintenance, routine measures typically involve regular vacuuming as well as immediate stain removal. Carpets are notorious for collecting stains if they aren't quickly addressed through carpet stain removal. They're also much harder to keep clean on the whole when compared to hardwood.
There are professional deep clean options for carpets if tough stains seep into the material and become hard to remove yourself. Separately, you'll want to keep in mind that rips and tears from overall wear and tear on a carpet will also need addressing as time goes by.
Regardless of these deep cleaning options, carpet flooring does not last as long as hardwood flooring. The material is not as durable and it is more susceptible to rips, tears, visible staining, and odor absorption.
While it is tough to put a number to the average lifespan of a carpet, taking the proper cleaning measures can certainly extend the longevity of the flooring.
Carpet vs Wood Floor Cost: The Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are on a tighter budget, carpet is the better option. You are likely to spend more on hardwood flooring and installation costs.
However, it is important to remember that hardwood is a long-term investment. If you chose to invest more on hardwood initially, you likely won't have to spend a great deal replacing it in several years' time.
If you choose to move forward with carpet, you'll want to factor in some replacement costs as a future purchase down the line. Because of this, you should most definitely factor in which option you prefer in your home. Some individuals like the color variations that carpets provide, whereas others prefer the sheen that hardwood floors offer an interior.
Whatever you prefer, and whatever your budget is, National Floors Direct can help you.
We have a thorough list of different carpet as well as hardwood flooring options to suit any home or build. Not only that, but we offer installation and free estimates!
If you're interested in how National Floors Direct can complete your flooring needs to the highest standard, make sure you get a free estimate on the job using our website. Or, if you have any specific questions, make sure you contact us directly.
