Deciding Between Carpet and Laminate Flooring

The decision between carpet and laminate flooring can depend on several factors. It could depend on the colour or appearance that is desired for the room, durability of the flooring, cost of carpet versus laminate flooring and insulating qualities needed for warmth of the floor. People with asthma or allergies in the household may consider laminate over carpet, due to the carpet fibres that are released from vacuuming or walking on carpet.

If it is for an interior design look, colour and patterns can play a big part in deciding between carpet and laminate flooring, taking note that carpet comes in many different colours, patterns and styles. According to European Producers of Laminate Flooring, stone and ceramic looks in laminate flooring are soaring to new heights as alternatives to timber finishes. Modern printing techniques enable uncanny reproduction of tones, structure and relief of original materials, this enables you to get a laminate floor in a choice besides hardwoods.

Durability of the flooring is another factor in deciding between carpet and laminate. Laminate flooring is easy to clean with a dust mop and a wet mop once a week, it is also much more resistant to stains than carpets, where as carpet is much more resistant to scratches. Carpet needs to be vacuumed to remain clean, and shampooed occasionally, stains need to be cleaned up immediately on carpet, and some may be hard to remove. With small children and pets, some may prefer laminate for stain preventions.

Cost can be a consideration, depending on the type of carpet or laminate you want. While both are measured by square feet, it is possible to install a laminate floor yourself, while you may need to have an installer for carpet. Installation is a cost you need to consider when deciding between carpet and laminate flooring.

Carpet is known to make a room feel warmer and many people with small children prefer carpeting for children playing on the floor. It is warmer under foot, and has better insulating qualities than laminate flooring.

If allergies are a problem in your household, laminate flooring may be a better option, since carpets can be made from different types of fibres, wool or synthetic, it may be hard to determine allergies until it is too late. Asthma can be aggravated by carpet fibres released into the air and since new carpets tend to shed fibre and residues for the first year, it is not a short-term problem.

In the United States, laminate flooring is actually adding resale value to homes and is now being preferred over carpeting for its durability. In the UK, laminate flooring is gaining in popularity, as well, especially due to under floor heating systems.

So as you can see form the above when deciding between carpet and laminate flooring, there are many factors to consider. Depending on your situation and budget, it may be easier to decide on one versus the other. By comparing what is available on the market today, along with the cost of installation, you will be better able to determine which is right for your situation.

There are resources available on the Internet to help you make decisions on your flooring needs. By researching the different options, you may be surprised to see the different materials that are available on the market today.