Have you been considering switching from carpet to hardwood floors? You are not alone! While carpet has been a favorite for many decades and is lower in cost to install, there are many pitfalls that homeowners have to consider before officially committing to a carpet.
Don’t stick with carpet! Here are our four reasons to replace carpet with hardwood floors from SVB:
Reason #1: Carpets Collect Dirt and Stains
Did you spill on your carpet? Great… now you have to soak up the mess, pat it dry and go through the bothersome process of scrubbing your carpet or shampooing it clean. You may even have to call in a professional for particularly bad stains like wine, Koolaid, or grease/tar. And don’t forget the expense of having your carpets cleaned annually (or more often with lighter colors). But, if you don’t, your carpet will look nasty.
In contrast, hardwood floors are easy to take care of. All you need to do is weekly vacuuming and dust mopping. You will consistently have beautiful (and clean!) looking floors always. No disgusting stains and smells from carpet!
Tip: We recommend vacuums with a floor-brush attachment or an electric broom to avoid damaging the wood. For a deeper clean, use a slightly dampened rag mop or good old-fashioned sponge with diluted wood cleaner to remove pesky allergens, dirt, and other irritants in a flash.
Reason #2: Carpets Get Worn
We’ve all seen it; those paths in the carpet where people walk the most and have matted it down just a bit more than the surrounding areas. They’re called traffic patterns, and once they’re there, there is not much that can be done to fix them. They are the result of years of foot traffic that has worn down the carpet fibers as well as the pad below. When this happens, there’s no other solution than replacing the carpet. Carpets can also develop large wrinkles near these patterns that require hiring a professional to restretch the carpet.
Wood floors, however, hold up to foot traffic much better. The average wood floor lasts ten years before it needs any maintenance like professional cleaning or refinishing. When refinished, it will last another ten years or so. Solid hardwood floors can be refinished many times, the color and finish can be changed as well to keep your home up to date.
Reason #3: You Can’t Escape Your Allergies
Your carpet can easily become a magnet for allergens like dust mites, pet dander – and even mold spores – which can irritate your immune system. These pesky allergens can get trapped within carpet fibers and even down in the pad and are difficult to get rid of completely. If you are tired of the constant yuck feeling of allergies, installing hardwood floors in your home reduces allergens that are lurking beneath your feet.
Reason #4: Update Your Home
Do you watch HGTV and admire the beautiful hardwood floors? Or are you preparing to put your home on the market? Hardwood floors are popular due to their beauty, durability, longevity, and versatility. While initially a little pricier than carpet, hardwood flooring is a worthwhile investment in the long run because it lasts so much longer than carpet. Toss out your pesky, dated carpet and transform your living space with hardwood floors that make a statement.