Carpet vs. Laminate, Vinyl, or Hardwood

Are you trying to decide between new carpet or hard surface flooring such as Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) or Tile (LVT), Laminate, Solid or Engineered Hardwood Flooring? There are many things to consider, like:

• Where are you installing the new flooring?
• How much traffic is expected in the new flooring area?
• Do you need to consider allergies?
• How much time do you want to invest in maintaining your new floor?

The Timbertown Pro’s are here to help!

Durability

While new carpet tends to be comfortably plush and fluffy underfoot, it won’t stay that way for very long. Over time, especially in high-traffic areas, carpet will become crushed or matted. There is a saying in the carpet business, “Carpets don’t wear out, they ugly out”. Although Hardwood flooring can be scratched or dented, Luxury Vinyl Plank and Tile floors, as well as laminate, are nearly impervious to dents. Even Engineered flooring will hold up longer than carpet under

Although Hardwood flooring can be scratched and/or dented – with regular soft-soled household traffic the durable aluminum oxide coatings can last a lifetime. You can rest assured that any new hard surface flooring will stand up to a heavy load.

Dust & Dust Mites

Even with regular vacuuming and maintenance, dust and dust mites will penetrate into your carpet and accumulate. Dust will find its way underneath the carpet as well, making it extremely hard to remove unless the carpet is lifted. As carpets absorb dust particles, odors become harder to control. Air fresheners only mask the odors in the carpet – they are never really gone. Dust that accumulates on your laminate, LVP, or hardwood floor can be quickly swept up from hard surface flooring, reducing allergens in the home.

Maintenance

Carpet needs to be vacuumed regularly and even shampooed from time to time. If disaster strikes, you can have your carpet sanitized by a professional, or by renting large cleaning machines. Hard surface floors like Laminate, LVP and hardwood can be free of dust with a quick sweep and revived of their shine with a hardwood floor mop & cleaner as required.

Installation

Installing carpet isn’t typically a Do-It-Yourself project. It requires special tools and techniques to make sure your new carpet is installed correctly without bulges or buckles. Lots of homeowners decide to install Laminate, LVP and Hardwood flooring on their own. Some LVP for example, only requires a utility knife and a tape measure! If you prefer, TimberTown has recommended installers who will be happy to do the work for you! Our TimberTown Pro’s can also walk you through the installation process.

Longevity

On average, carpets in Canadian homes are replaced every 7 years, maybe more with proper care and maintenance. Solid and Engineered Hardwood flooring are expected to last a lifetime, and even add structure and considerable value to your home! Real wood floors can also be re-sanded several times to adapt to changing styles.

Environmental Impact

Carpet lasts a short time compared to hard surface flooring, and once it is tossed in a landfill it will be there forever. Nylon and polyester fibers in carpets will not decompose. Wood-based products are the greener choice as they last long enough in your home for the trees used in their production to regrow, and when the material is discarded it will decompose. Immediately following installation, carpet will off-gas chemicals from the fibers, added resistant coatings, and dyes used during production. Prefinished floors are fully cured at the factory. Wood flooring products generally meet or exceed European standards and California CARB requirements, and all of our LVP products are Floorscore certified. You can always ask us for supporting documents.

If soft & cushy carpet is what you desire underfoot, what about an area rug? This relatively inexpensive option allows for stylistic customization while making sure that your actual footing is up to the task.