Your choice of flooring will have a huge impact on the feel of your room, so you want to make the right decision. Carpet and laminate flooring both offer great qualities, so choosing the right one for your home can be tough.
Don't worry! Read on for our comparative guide to laminate flooring vs carpet.
Appearance and Composition
Laminate is usually made from layers of wood particle or high-density fiberboard with a clear, hard layer that goes on top to boost durability. Carpets meanwhile consist of a backing layer that holds a soft upper layer.
Both laminate and carpet offer a wide variety of design options. Laminate flooring usually mimics natural options like wood and stone. You can get a variety of washes and colors from natural options to bolder, funkier grains and colors.
There's a huge range for carpets — from colors, patterns, piles, and thicknesses. In fact, the choices are almost limitless!
Durability
Durability is a key factor in deciding on any product for your home — especially flooring. You don't want to have to replace all of your flooring every other year. It's an investment — from installing to basing a room theme around it.
When it comes to life span, both laminate and carpet can last anywhere from 8–15+ years. The lifespan of your flooring often comes down to how well the material stands up to the wear and tear of daily life over the years.
If you do need to replace or repair an area of flooring, laminate is an excellent product for quick and easy installations, especially for the professionals. This flooring type snaps into place.
With carpet, you need to cut and remove the damaged section, cut the replacement to the exact same size, and place it in the spot.
For both types of flooring, it's a good idea to keep spares pieces or remnants so that any "need to be replaced" areas match perfectly.
Installation
You can install carpet over most materials, from concrete to wood. It's a good choice for hiding irregularities on a floor surface. First, you need to trim the carpet and base layer to the right dimensions. Then lay the two layers with nails or staples. The seams are then glued down.
If the carpet is being installed in a large room, the carpet will need special tools and stretching. Although you can install carpet yourself, it's usually better to bring in an expert. It can be precise and unforgiving on mistakes.
Laminate flooring can go over any existing floor, apart from carpet. If you need special preparation for your floor, you'll need to call in a professional. Tongue-and-groove laminate allows for easier DIY and professional installation. The pieces snap together like puzzle pieces for a smooth, level finish.
Maintenance
To keep them clean, you should vacuum your carpets once a week in lower-traffic areas. In high-traffic you might need to vacuum more often. Every 12–18 months, it's a good idea to give them a deep clean. You can also get dry powder cleaners to use while you vacuum.
For both laminate and carpet flooring, you shouldn't leave pools of standing water on them as this could damage the flooring. Though it's resistant to moisture, laminate can warp in areas with high moisture if not done right. It needs careful installation to protect against this.
It's often suggested to use waterless cleaning for laminate flooring. There are products for laminate that will clean the floor but leave it dry. When it comes to scratching, you should use pads on the bottom of your furniture to prevent this.
Suitability
Most homes will use a combination of flooring types. Carpets aren't usually a good choice for kitchens and dining rooms because of the mess food can make. On the other hand, carpet is great to be used in bedrooms for the comfort, warmth, and softness they provide.
Laminate is great for kitchens and dining rooms because it's easy to clean up spills and stains. You might want it in your entryways too for easy clean up of mud and dirt that gets tracked in.
Think about the use of the room and the level of traffic you're expecting to see to help you make a choice. There are trims that make going from laminate to carpet in another room look seamless too. Going for a mixture can look stylish and make your decor seem well thought-out. If you are thinking of selling your home in the near future, laminate may be a better investment.
Insulation and Noise Reduction
Hot and cold air and noise travel up and down your home. Your flooring type will either let this happen, or it will reduce or even stop it.
Carpet is great for absorbing noise, but it's also great as an insulator. The pile catches and dulls the noise that travels through it, making rooms quieter. This means it's great for dry basements and bedrooms.
It'll also keep the room at a warmer and more comfortable temperature. You'll get the most appreciation for this in the colder winter months when you're trying to heat your home.
In comparison, laminate flooring is the opposite. It won't absorb sound as well as carpet but as we've discussed, an acoustic layer beneath it will help in this regard. Laminate is great for staying cool. While it might chill your bare toes in the winter, in the summer you'll be thankful for its cooling effect.
Laminate flooring vs. Carpet — Now You Know What to Expect
So there you have it! You know what to expect when it comes to laminate flooring vs carpet.
Think about the use of your room and how much traffic it will see daily. Both offer great value when installed right, and can make a real statement in your home.
If you're looking to make a statement with your flooring, contact us today. At National Floors Direct, we've got options to suit all of your laminate and carpet needs.
