Carpet vs Laminate Flooring

Choosing between carpet and laminate flooring is one of the many choices you'll make as a homeowner. How much traffic is there in the home? Do you have kids and pets? Do you want something easy to clean or material which is sturdier and will last longer?

These are a few of the many questions you should ask before you choose a material for your home. Individuals who are getting ready to buy a home, remodel their home, or simply considering a change in the near future, will greatly benefit from reading the information which is provided in this piece.

Pros & Cons of Carpet

Carpet is extremely affordable and it is extremely easy to maintain. It is also beneficial in the fact that you can choose from several different textures and padding levels, based upon the style/look you want to achieve when you are adding it into any room of the home.

You can choose from several different overlays, and you can also find patterns which will flow well, with the rest of the decor you have in that particular room. You can easily customize it, to fit into one room, or throughout the entire home easily.

Carpeting is easy to maintain for most homeowners as well. You simply have to vacuum a few times a week, and it should last for several years to come in the home. There are, of course, several drawbacks you should also consider if you are deciding whether or not to install new carpeting in the home.

First off, it does hold onto dust, allergens, and debris; if anyone in the home is allergic to these things, then the carpeting might not be the right choice for you to choose to install in your home.

Carpet can also tear if furniture or other items are dragged over it; or, if you have pets, they can easily tear it up easily with their claws. Additionally, carpet can get stained easily if you spill certain items on it, which is very difficult to remove, especially if that liquid penetrates to the lower layers and the underlay of the carpeting, which is in the rooms of the home.

Although carpet is padded and can provide protection to your kids in the rooms, it might not be the best choice for all rooms of the home. These are a few factors to consider if you are deciding whether or not to install carpet in the home.

Estimated Material Cost

Pros & Cons of Laminate

Laminate is a great option for the homeowner who wants something that is very easy to maintain and care for, doesn't require much maintenance or work, and will hold its shape well for many years. Laminate comes in several colors, finishes, and grades.

You can also choose from flooring which looks like real hardwoods, porcelain, or other luxurious material finishes, only you are going to pay a fraction of what these materials would cost when you choose to install laminate in the home.

Laminate can be installed in nearly any room of the home. It only requires you to sweep it, and mop once a week, or twice, and it should retain its shape well, and will look good in the home. It is also a great option if you want to add a unique spin to each room, you can choose from several different finishes and colours, allowing you to decorate each room of the home as you see fit.

With laminate, you do have the possibility of shifting. Laminate can get damaged if you drop heavy items on it, but generally retains its shape well over time.

Laminate does require you to clean it routinely, which is something not many homeowners want to do. And, it is prone to sunlight damage and fading over time, which is going to cause it to look older/dated, even if it is not that old.

Laminate is a material which might not be suitable in rooms where you have kids sleeping in. So, you should consider the safety aspect, as well as the overall appeal and aesthetics of the room and home, if you are considering the option to install laminate flooring in one room, or throughout the entire room of your home, when you are ready to install new flooring.

Estimated Material Cost

Let's Compare!