Every homeowner is different, and every home renovation comes with endless debates. What type of shutters look best with a Colonial home? Will marble or granite countertops work better in a kitchen? What’s the best way to style a guest room? But perhaps the most common debate is that of hardwood flooring versus carpeting. While there are two sides to every homeowner’s style, hardwood floors always reign supreme when it comes to your home’s long-term value.

So, what are the benefits of hardwood flooring over carpet in your home?

While carpets can feel like the fantastic final touch for a soft and cozy bedroom, there are several reasons to choose hardwood floors for nine rooms out of ten (if not all). Stay tuned.

Allergens

Every year, more than 50 million Americans experience allergies of some sort. If you’ve got allergies, or have family members that do, avoid carpets where you can. Carpets trap common allergens such as dirt, pollen, dust, and even dust mites. Dust is incredibly difficult to spot on carpets and might be missed at first glance. When dust particles are trapped between carpet fibers, weekly vacuuming isn’t always enough to keep your home allergen-free. Not to mention, shampooing or damp cleaning (necessary evils when it comes to carpets) often promotes the spread of mold and mildew.

In contrast, hardwood floors are easy to keep allergen-free. With hardwood floors, what you see is what you get. Dust can’t hide between fibers and hardwood is easily cleaned with a quick wipedown.

Maintenance

While hardwood floors require vacuuming and the occasional sweep, carpets are incredibly difficult to keep clean and require deep shampoos or chemical treatments at least once per year. Unfortunately, these harsh cleaners often contain harmful chemicals such as acid and formaldehyde – the last thing you want your family and pets crawling around in. And not only are they time-consuming and toxic, but these cleanings can be pricey. Annual home carpet cleanings cost up to $600.

Longevity

Carpets require full replacements about every five years. In contrast, once installed, hardwood floors last a lifetime. Not only can the durable material last up to 100 years, but you can also always sand, re-surface, and re-stain to boost shine and quality throughout its lifespan.
The upfront price of hardwood flooring is indeed steeper than a carpet or even tile floor installation. But the price of carpet cleanings and replacements can quickly add up, especially if you’ve got pets and messy children.

Value

Interested in selling your home for a pretty price years down the line? Hardwood floors are your best bet. In fact, a recent study found that 54% of homebuyers were willing to pay more for a home with hardwood floors. Given trends in home decor, there’s no sign of hardwood floors’ impressive shine wearing away anytime soon.

Sustainability

Aside from being long-lasting, allergen-free, and easy to clean, hardwood is one of the most environmentally friendly options when it comes to flooring. Wood is a natural material that’s recreated with every tree planted. On the other hand, carpet is often made from petroleum, a limited resource that’s far from biodegradable.

Overall

While carpets have their place, hardwood floors always reign supreme when it comes to present problems and long-term investments.

More questions on carpets versus hardwood floors or have wood floors that need to be restored or refinished? Cameron the Sandman Michigan can help. We have been beautifying homes and businesses with hardwood flooring sales and services for over 80 years. We manage each project from start to finish and help you choose the best hardwood floor species, stain, and design layout to meet your needs and desires. Call our hardwood flooring specialists today to learn more about our hardwood flooring services!