Carpet versus Laminate flooring?

Question

My house is 5 years old. The carpet looks like it is 15 years old (cheap builders carpet). I have 2 dogs (both about 50lbs) and a cat. We are trying for our first child. Would you reccommend the hardwood laminate flooring or a better quality carpet?

Answer 1

Hard one to call. We had all carpeting until the little one got old enough so that she wasn't falling down all the time. Then I ripped it out and put down laminate in the bedrooms and tile in the living room.

I like the idea of laminate over carpet, but be vigilant with the kid ; spills that are not discovered and picked up right away can ruin laminate.

Answer 2

Here is what I have noticed with my friends who have laminate or hardwood floors versus those of us that have carpeting.

1 - Wood floors are very unforgiving with crumbs and such on them, you have to constantly sweep them to keep them looking nice and crumb free. When they go unswept they will actually look worse than most carpetings.

2 - Carpets with pets will need to be vacuumed at least every other day. While carpeting is forgiving and doesn't show all the crumbs that might be on the floor, you do have to worry about spills and the whole allergens being trapped in it and all.

3 - With laminate flooring, if you drop something on it there is always the chance that the laminate will crack and the wood underneath will show through..while something like Bamboo, which is a renewable resource is the same color all the way through.

So, for me it is a matter of wether you want to vacuum constantly or sweep constantly. I grew up in a household where we had carpeting and dogs inside. None of us had a problem with allergies or anything like that...but, my Mom does vacuum every other day and would also sweep the tile every other day as well. I think it is sixes as far as work and upkeep goes...wood is just more popluar right now.

Answer 3

I have seen the laminate flooring bubble up the next day after plain water was spilled on it at my aunt's house - even though the spill was wiped up immediately, it was a big ugly surprise the next morning. I'm not talking about something with the flooring being installed wrong either, it actually bubbled up and left an ugly spot just on the surface where the spill was. I decided right then I would never have it. I prefer carpet, but if you would rather have something easier to care for with the dogs, I would go for ceramic tile.

If you want the wood, it's better to spend the dough for the real hardwood - the plus side is it will really increase the value of your home.

Answer 4

I would suggest either hard wood or laminate. Carpet traps all sort of allergens (especially since you have both cats and dogs) that could be harmful to you, your husband's and children's health. Once these allergens are trapped, they are trapped for good...they go down into the padding and it will not come out with a vacuum or shampooer. Also, if the animals accidentally mess on the floor or you spill something, think of how much easier it will be to clean it up! So, I would for sure go with the hard wood or laminate. Plus it's so much prettier, too!

Answer 5

there is no such thing as "hardwood laminate flooring"! Laminate flooring is NOT hardwood. . . its basically a picture of wood,glued and sealed onto compressed board. I made the aweful mistake of putting it in my home, and the problem is. . . its scratches and chips easily (with a 18 month old baby and a 75lb dog). Laminate flooring can NOT be refinished. . . so how to fix the problem? You deal with it. . .or you rip out the flooring where the problem is, and redo it. It's not an easy fix! We got so fed up with it that we saved up and have started installing hardwood in the house . . . b/c atleast that can be sanded and fixed. . . instead of having to redo everything.
If you decide with carpet, which we kept in one room, we did a high quality burber, and choose a color that wouldnt show the dirt too much, and its 2 years old and looks alright.
Good luck

Answer 6

Oh hon, definitely go for the laminate flooring - it cleans up a lot easier. Especially with pets. Kids are messy too - lol I have 2 of them - and you don't want spit up stains, milk stains and all kinds of other fun stuff ground into your carpet (which is pretty much what happens when you scrub stuff out of carpet - you just work it down deeper). I would go for the laminate if I were you - it's much easier to clean and maintain. Also, you can install laminate flooring yourself - it's fairly easy, my husband and I have installed several in other people's houses, and in our own. With carpet, you have to pay more for it, plus you have to hire a carpenter to come and lay it as it must be properly stretched and laid. Good luck!

Answer 7

OOOooo-definitely wood laminate-it dresses up the house, and is very durable. You really need something that is at least 25 or 30 year warranty-that's what has always been recommended to me by flooring companies. Also, if you are concerned about the flooring being hard on your feet, they use this foam underneath the wood laminate that really helps cushion. Plus, for spills and messes, carpet almost always looks dirty (especially with pets and children), and laminate is very easy to clean up. Also, if you are conserned about the flooring being too hard for a new baby, you can always put an area rug down, which really looks good, and you can change it out as often as you need to.

Answer 8

Allergies are a very good reason to get rid of carpeting. I have just removed the bedroom and living room carpets from my home and the fresh smell is very noted. My carpets were old and the under pad was falling a part. Vacuuming only cleans the carpet on the out side surface.

Answer 9

Laminate flooring-10
Carpet-0

Answer 10

I prefer bare floors. Carpets are hard to keep clean and trap allergens.
However, with the pets, you will have to factor in their hair. My parents have hardwood floors, and there is pet hair in every corner no matter how often they clean.