should i get carpet or wood floor?

Question

i have a room that is 12x20 is it cheaper to get carpet or wood floor? or should i get the piece tile at the dollar store for $10.oo a box.

Answer 1

The decision is a function of cost, beauty and use. Hardwood floors cost about $4.50-7 per square foot, depending on the quality and type of product you buy. The major expense with hardwood floors is installation, which my local Home Depot, for example, charges another $4.50 per square foot. In other words, hardwoods will cost you about $9 to 11.50 per square foot if you want it installed by someone else. In comparison, I recently had a room carpeted at an installed cost of $5.25 per square foot for a good quality carpet. Given the size of your room, the difference is about $1 thousand. If you are handy and have the time to install hardwoods yourself, then the cost difference is a lot less.

I prefer the look and beauty of hardwood floors. Just remember that you will probably need to invest in area rugs with hardwoods anyways to make it more comfortable, so you should also factor that into your cost.

In terms of function, you need to consider how the room is used. Is it a family room where you like carpet on the floor? Do you have pets that could scratch your floors (look at laminate flooring)? Good luck!

Answer 2

i just recently went through this too, i pulled my existing carpet to expose beautiful hardwood floors. the wood needed some work in spots, but before commiting to that money wise i decided to live with them the way they were just to get a feel for them and see if i would actually like them... i lived on them about 6 months. and i was SO HAPPY to put carpet back! I keep a clean house, but i tell you i never seen so many cobwebs in my life! i used the swiffer sweeper thing everyday etc... but it never failed EVERYDAY i would find cobwebs somewhere. Normally you see a cob web on the ceiling what? 1 or 2 times a year? this was all along my furniture and floors everyday! I guess it only means that maybe the carpet is trapping stuff is why we dont see it, but you know i would rather have that than to believe the house looks fine for guests only to spot more cobwebs as soon as they walk in or as soon as they walk out!!!

Answer 3

DO NOT go to the Dollar Store-----it doesen't have a very long life. More people are going to wood floors and tiles......especially since carpet attracts dust and dirt that you can't possibly get it all out, even with vacuming and shampooing.

Answer 4

If you go with tile, don't get those peel and stick tiles. They sometimes don't stick and they rip easy. And it depends on what the room is used for. If you have animals, get wood, pass on the carpet. That snap and lock hardwood is pretty nice, I have it in my kitchen. Just make sure you know what you are doing when you install it.

Answer 5

Carpet is generally cheaper. It's always nice to have in a room that you really live in like the livingroom. Great for sprawling out on and maybee play with the kids or the dog or your spouse.

Answer 6

Wood will give your home a higher re-sale value because its harder to install and a higher inital cost but personally I think its better then carpet carpet will stain and absorb dirt and odors and is less sanitary then hardwood and a good alternative is laminate just make sure whoever installs it knows what they are doing

Answer 7

Carpet is easier to deal with. Wood is better is you plan to sell later down the road, it's better investment. To clean wood floors, get a swiffer wet jet with hardwood floor chemicals. It's a breeze. No vinyl!!!

Answer 8

If it's a floor that things will get dropped on, such as a bathroom or kitchen, carpet is a bad idea: It will be difficult to keep clean and free from mildew.

Otherwise, whatever suits you and your room best.

Answer 9

I would say carpet if u don't have any pets or kids...Its easier to clean...
Wooding floor requires a lot of work...especially if u accidently drop juice or anything on it...they stained...

Answer 10

carpet can be cheaper, but wood looks really nice & will prob. last longer. wood though shows a lot of dust, so unless you don't mind dry moping every day, i'd go carpet.