Three Types of Flooring : The Pros and Cons of Wood, Carpet, and Tile

If you are about to put a new floor in to your home or other property, then you may be wondering which type of floor would be best for you. Wood, carpet, and tile are all great options when it comes to flooring. However, there are also a few cons to each of these flooring types. Here is a closer look at the pros and cons of wood, carpet, and tile flooring.

 

Wood Flooring

 

Pros  

• Beauty – Wood floors have an impressive natural beauty that can help to make a building look very aesthetically pleasing.

 

• Easy Maintenance – Wood floors are very easy to care for and maintain. They can be easily swept or vacuumed. Also, spills are very easily cleaned on hardwood floors. They are very simple to care for in most cases.

 

• Longevity – These types of floors can last a very long time. In fact, original wood flooring can still be found in many houses that are over 100 years old. Wood is a strong, durable material, and it can stand the test of time.

 

Cons

 

• Price – Wood for floors can often cost between $3-$12 per square foot. This can be quite expensive if you have hundreds of square feet to cover with wood flooring.

 

• Scratching – Wood can be more susceptible to scratching than other types of floors. The softer the wood, the more that this is the case.

 

 

Carpet Flooring

 

Pros

 

• Softness – Carpet floors tend to be softer than other options. This can make your home more comfortable. It can also be good if there are young children in the house who run around a lot and are susceptible to falling. Softness is a big part of the reason why carpet is 51 percent of the total U.S. market for flooring.

 

• Sound barrier – Carpet floors muffle more sound than other types of floors such as wood. This can be very helpful if you live in a building where people live above or beneath you, such as a high rise apartment complex.

 

• Heat retention – In the colder months, carpet floors can help to prevent heat from escaping. This can help to save you on energy costs.

 

Cons

 

• Stains – Unlike other surfaces such as wood or tile, spills are not easy to clean on carpets. In fact, when a liquid such as red wine is spilled on a carpet, it can be very difficult to clean.

 

• Shorter lifespans – The average lifespan of a carpet can be significantly less than other options such as wood. This is because carpet simply is not as durable as wood.

 

 

Tile Flooring

 

Pros

 

• Beauty – Like wood, tiles floors can help to create a very beautiful and natural feeling. Tile floors can be very beautiful and installing one can actually boost the resale value of the house.

 

• Great for allergy sufferers – Tile is completely non-toxic, and it does not trap dust and danger like a carpet floor can. So, tile floors can be an excellent option for those who have severe allergies.

 

• Longevity. – Like wood, tile is very strong, and can last for many decades without needing to be replaced.

 

Cons

 

• Hardness – Tile floors are not soft like carpet floors. They can be very hard and unforgiving. So, if you slip and fall on them, it can cause significantly more pain than if you were to slip and fall on a carpet floor. Tile floors can be even harder than wood floors.

 

• Sound – Tile floors do not offer sound barriers like carpeted floors do. This means that sound can travel through them much easier. If you live in a building where there is a lot of noise, then this can be an issue. However, tile is still a great option, and that is why it is used in millions of homes in America.