Need help deciding what flooring is best for your home renovation?
With so many flooring types, it can be hard to identify the best option to suit your lifestyle and interior decor.
Two popular flooring choices are carpet and vinyl planks.
Here’s everything you need to know about these floorings to help your decision-making process.
Comparing Carpet vs. Vinyl Plank
Various aspects should be considered when deciding which flooring is the best fit for your wants and needs.
Often, the cost of the material will have some sort of sway in your decision, especially if you’re completing the renovation on a budget.
The appearance of the flooring is also important, as you likely want it to tie in well with the rest of your interiors.
Consider the material’s durability to assess its average lifespan, as well as the risk of any damage down the line.
Maintenance of the material is also essential, as some flooring requires much more upkeep than others.
Carpet and vinyl plank are two very different materials aesthetically.
Both have individual pros and cons and are suited for varying applications around the home.
Everything you need to know about carpet
Carpets can be very versatile in design, with an extensive range of colors, patterns, and styles, as well as having various fiber types to choose from.
This means that when it comes to the aesthetics of your home, you’ll likely be able to find a carpet that suits you.
With such a range of options, the carpet price varies quite a bit.
There are some more competitively priced materials, like Triexta polyester, with more luxurious materials like nylon heading upwards in cost.
The upfront cost isn’t the only financial consideration with carpet, as the material tends to require professional installation, as well as maintenance throughout its lifespan.
Dust and dirt are relatively easy to vacuum off a carpet, but spills and stains can present a big concern, especially for lighter colors.
Opting for a darker color can help disguise stains, crushing, and matting.
However, carpets are susceptible to staining and fading over time when exposed to direct sunlight, which is more prominent in darker colors.
General vacuuming doesn’t remove all of the allergens and pollutants that can cause concerns for people with asthma and allergies, so it’s recommended to have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year.
Carpets are durable but can easily be damaged if not looked after correctly.
They risk wear and tear, especially in high-traffic areas like a hallway or stairway.
If an area of the carpet gets damaged, you may find yourself needing to replace the entire room’s worth of flooring, so bear that in mind when considering lifetime costs.
The luxurious option of nylon carpet is a larger investment but often worthwhile as it can withstand constant usage.
Carpet is a popular choice with homeowners for areas where comfort is prioritized, such as bedrooms, living rooms, and walkways.
Another benefit for these areas is that carpets naturally absorb sound.
Since carpets exposed to moisture can experience issues with mold, it’s very uncommon for carpets to be placed in rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Everything you need to know about vinyl plank flooring
The varying options of vinyl plank flooring make it just as versatile, if not more so, than carpet.
Vinyl planks come in various patterns and color options, with higher-end products boasting a realistic imitation of natural materials like wood, tile, and stone.
Low and mid-range vinyl planks tend to fall into a similar price bracket to comparable carpets, but the cost of high-end vinyl plank flooring is typically lower than top-end carpet materials.
Vinyl plank professional installation tends to be cheaper than carpet, and avid DIY-ers can likely install vinyl planks themselves to cut costs further.
Maintenance is very low with vinyl planks since they are non-porous and waterproof.
Spills are easy to mop up, and dirt and dust can be easily vacuumed.
Vinyl planks are very durable, with a wear layer that provides a natural resistance to moisture, staining, and scratching, allowing them to look newer for longer.
However, vinyl planks can be damaged if exposed to repeated flooding or long-term water exposure, as well as extreme temperature fluctuations.
A benefit of vinyl planks is that damage can be repaired by replacing only the affected planks without replacing the entire room’s worth.
Vinyl plank isn’t as soft underfoot as carpet but can boast similar sound-dampening abilities if installed with attached pads underneath.
One big benefit of vinyl plank is the lack of allergens compared to carpets.
Carpets can trap allergens in their fibers, causing breathing problems for people with asthma and allergies. Vinyl planks do not have this concern.
Whether carpet or vinyl plank is right for you will depend on your wants, needs, budget, and home.
Hopefully, this guide has given you valuable insight into both carpet and vinyl plank flooring to help you decide when selecting the perfect flooring for your home.
Happy renovating!
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Powerhouse is a full service home and commercial services company based in Texas.