Carpets and tiles and floorboards, oh my! It’s an age-old debate. What type of flooring to use in the house? Each type has its benefits, and each type has its drawbacks. The important thing is to figure out what makes the most sense for your home in each situation. For example, if your home needs wheelchair accessibility it wouldn’t make sense to have carpet. Sometimes, there doesn’t seem to be a perfect or even easy solution. To give you some help, here’s a guide to the pros and cons of carpets, tiles, and floorboards.
Carpets and tiles and floorboards, oh my! It’s an age-old debate. What type of flooring to use in the house? Each type has its benefits, and each type has its drawbacks. The important thing is to figure out what makes the most sense for your home in each situation. Sometimes, there doesn’t seem to be a perfect or even easy solution. To give you some help, here’s a guide to the pros and cons of carpets, tiles, and floorboards.
Carpet Pros
Style
Of all the choices, carpets provide the most options when it comes to colour, design, and style. It’s also easy to cut. Carpets also allow you to provide some warmth and texture to a room that may be a little boring.
Safety
No one slips and falls on carpet, and even if they do, it’s softer than other flooring options. This is especially important if there are kids or seniors in the house.
Comfort
Carpet can feel so nice on your feet. It’s nice and warm even in the cold months and provides a bit of a cushion under your feet.
Carpet Cons
Maintenance
This is the big drawback of having carpet. It requires constant attention. If you don’t regularly vacuum your carpet, it will start to look dingy and dirty very quickly, and can start to smell as well.
Health
The other problem with not maintaining your carpets is health. Carpets tend to hold on to mold, mildew, and bacteria, and they can cause serious health problems. This is most problematic if you own pets.
Stains
Carpets hold onto moisture, and it only takes one spill for your carpet to be marked forever. This means that some events, like a child’s party, can be stressful affairs.
Tile Pros
Durability
Tiles will last you a long time. Ceramic and porcelain are especially durable as long as they are cared for properly.
Options
Tile also offers a lot of options when it comes to colour and design. In fact, you could even have it look like wood or carpet if you like the look of those flooring options but are in high-moisture areas like bathrooms.
Maintenance
Tile is very easy to clean and sanitise. All it takes is some cleaning solution and a mop, and dust and dirt disappear. Vacuuming or regularly sweeping, while spot-cleaning as accidents happen, is all you need to do.
Health
Because dust and allergens don’t stick to tile, once you’ve vacuumed, swept, or mopped, they’re gone. This improves the air quality in rooms with tile and keeps people healthier, especially those with respiratory issues like asthma.
Tile Cons
Cold
Most types of tiles don’t retain heat, so they are cold on your feet. This can be unpleasant early in the morning and in the colder months.
Comfort and safety
Tiles are hard, so they don’t cushion your feet as you walk. Slips and falls can become more dangerous, since landing on them can cause serious injury.
Installation
Installing tile is not an easy process. It involves a very heavy material, for starters. Plus there is the measuring, grouting, and the specialised tools. Getting a professional to do the work can be quite expensive, as well.
Floorboard Pros
Maintenance
Hardwood is simple to clean and take care of. Dirt and dust do not stick to it, so a good sweep does the trick. This also means that hardwood is good for air quality since it doesn’t hang onto those nasty things.
Endurance
Hardwood flooring is made to last. There are houses several centuries old that still have the same wood flooring they had when they were built. Hardwood is very good at retaining its colour, but it can always be sanded and refinished to provide a fresh look.
Repair
If hardwood does get damaged, it’s much easier to repair than carpet. A stained carpet has to be replaced. With floorboards, you can often only replace the affected section.
Value
Hardwood flooring is very much in demand, so having it in your home makes the home more valuable. Homes that have hardwood are expected to sell for higher prices than similar homes with other flooring options.
Floorboard Cons
Noise
Hardwood floors do not absorb sound like carpet does, so things might seem louder in a room with hardwood when compared to a room with carpet. Plus, running children and pets will make more noise as they move across the floor.
Scratches and warping
Floorboards are very easy to scratch, so if you have pets, it might not be the right flooring choice for you. Also, if moisture collects, then the boards can warp at the seams, which can look unsightly. Gaps in the seams can also collect dirt, making it very difficult to clean.
