Saturday, January 19, 2008

Wood or Carpet, what do you recommend?

Kim and I would like to querry the family. We are trying to decide between wood and carpet for the majority of the living areas, plus the utility, hallways, and entry. The kitchen is remaining tile for now. We have found a deal that is amazing for wood. It's an engineered wood that would be a floating floor. We have priced out both and the price is just a little more for wood. We have to install the wood ourselves, but its pretty nice stuff and the price is great. To match the deal on carpet we would have to get builder grade carpet. We aren't planning to stay in our house for very long, so is the upgrade worth it. Or should we be happy with the stuff we have or should we just go carpet. Comments please! http://www.lumberliquidators.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=5174& Here is the stuff, check it out. The major brand is "Pergo"

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

My thoughts: Wood is more sanitary, as carpet builds up dirt... over the years. However, wood is harder to keep looking clean every day, especially with a large family. Wood looks more elegant, and can be seen as an upgrade (especially if it is real wood, not laminate flooring). You should also think about what others have in your area have. What percentage of other similar homes have wood? If no one has it-they may not want it much and I would think twice. If 20% or so have it, but think of it as an upgrade, you may want to do it - especially if the cost is the same. Finally, consider the condition of your old carpet. If it is still nice, you are tearing up more value when you get rid of it. If it is stained... then the value is less. Finally, wood lasts a long time and still should look good when you move in a few years, so are you replacing it because you want it, or to upgrade the value of your house? If you like it, do it now, if not, then you could wait a little while (although the sale price may not be there). Kristen and I have hardwood under the carpet upstairs, and we will probably lay new carpet for the next few years instead of refinishing the hardwood. This is partly for cleanliness, partly for the noise downstairs, and partly because wood floors can be colder in frozen lands of Idaho than carpet-none of which really apply to your house. Lastly, my own thoughts are that hardwood is nice, especially in living rooms... but too much hardwood can be an overkill. Anyways, those are my hour-long thoughts, scatterbrained though they may be.

Anonymous said...

I have to say I have thought a lot about the wood/carpet thing lately because we are getting ready (well, almost) to move upstairs, and there are hardwood floors under the carpet. I love hardwood floors, they are beautiful and so much more "sanitary" than carpet. (A carpet installer my dad knows has hardwood throughout his home because he has seen what is in and under most carpets). But, when it really comes down to it, in living areas (bedrooms, family rooms) I prefer carpet. It's warmer, cozier, and easier to play with the kids on. Those are my thoughts. Good luck!

Doug and Toina said...

carpet, laminate fooring looks cheap unless it is very expensive. I "wood" be careful of how much they say the retail price really is. that could be marketing sceme that they are playing. anyway I'm sure the spirit will lead you to the correct choice, too much of your salvation rides upon this choice.-doug

Anonymous said...

it is not laminate it would be real wood.

Joe Buck said...

If it is real wood I say go for the wood. Wood rules--just choose a color that can look good with a bit of dirt on it--that doesn't mean light, but even dark may work well if there is some variation in it.

Anonymous said...

I"m a fan of wood. If you put it in the living room, I would get a nice area rug to cover the center of the room in front of your chairs. Carpet is also nice, unless you have to get some cheep kind.