Carpets vs Laminate Flooring: Major Differences, Pros, Cons and Costs
Many people struggle to decide between getting a carpet or laminate flooring in their home.
There are several differences between carpets and laminate flooring, from the look and feel it’ll give to your room and the underfoot comfort, to the ease of installing and the maintenance your flooring will need once it’s in your home.
All in all, the right flooring option for you will depend on your requirements and preferences.
In this article, we’ll take you through all the major differences, as well as the pros, cons, and costs, of carpets versus laminate flooring.
Underfoot Comfort of Carpets vs Laminate Flooring
The first thing to consider in terms of carpets versus laminate flooring is what it feels like to walk and sit on.
You want to feel comfortable and happy in your home, and the wrong type of flooring can have a surprising impact on this.
Laminate flooring has a better underfoot feel than solid wood or stone floors, because it is slightly more cushioned.
However, if your priority when choosing flooring is how it feels under your feet, a carpet might be the way to go.
As mentioned above, the flooring you end up choosing greatly depends on your preferences and priorities.
Noise Reduction of Carpets vs Laminate Flooring
Carpet and laminate flooring offer different levels of noise reduction, based on how they are installed.
Generally, carpets offer more noise reduction than laminate flooring, reducing the sound of walking significantly, depending on the type of carpet you go for.
However, if you’re looking for noise reduction but are leaning towards getting laminate flooring, there are noise reduction underlays you could choose to further help with the sound of footsteps and other impact on your floor.
Durability of Carpets vs Laminate Flooring
When it comes to durability, laminate flooring generally has a longer lifespan.
While carpets often last between 5 and 15 years, depending on the quality, laminate flooring can often last between 10 and 15 years.
It’s important to note that carpets are generally cheaper than laminate flooring, but when you take into consideration how long laminate can last, this cost could prove a good investment.
So, if you’re looking for a more durable and tough option for your flooring - especially in areas where people will be walking a lot, like in a kitchen - laminate floors could be the best option for you.
Maintenance of Carpets vs Laminate Flooring
Another thing to factor into your decision between carpets and laminate flooring is how easy they are to clean and maintain.
Carpets, as you’d imagine, can require a bit more work to keep clean and looking new. This is because dust and dirt can get trapped in the fibres of your carpet, making them harder to remove.
In comparison, laminate flooring is easier to sweep, mop and vacuum, and it is less susceptible to stains.
If you’re looking for lower-maintenance flooring, therefore, laminate flooring might be the right choice for you.
Style of Carpets vs Laminate Flooring
An important question to ask yourself when deciding between a carpet and laminate flooring is, what style are you going for?
If you’re looking to give your room a more natural feel, wood-effect laminate flooring could be the way to go.
However, if you want your room to feel cosier, you might want to go for a carpet to suit your room’s aesthetic.
Whichever type of flooring you decide to go for, it’s a good idea to imagine it in your room and figure out what would best suit your style.
Pros and Cons of Carpets vs Laminate Flooring
We’re going to break down the pros and cons of carpets and laminate flooring, starting with carpets.
The pros of carpets are as follows:
● Comfort: Like we mentioned above, carpets offer more cushioning and comfort underfoot.
● Cost: Overall, carpets are less expensive to buy. While this depends on the type and standard of carpet you choose, they are generally cheaper than laminate flooring.
The cons of carpets are as follows:
● Installation: Despite being cheaper overall, carpets often require a professional for installation, bringing the price up.
● Lifespan: Even with the best maintenance and care, carpets still don’t last quite as long as laminate flooring.
The pros of laminate flooring are as follows:
● Maintenance: Laminate flooring is overall easier to look after and clean, and it is less easy to stain.
● Waterproofing: A popular choice for bathrooms and kitchens, laminate flooring is waterproof, but it shouldn’t be kept wet constantly.
The cons of laminate flooring are as follows:
● Versatility: Laminate flooring comes in quite a few colours, but often, it’s not as versatile as carpets in terms of style.
● Cost: Overall, laminate flooring is more expensive than carpets, although they don’t often need professional installation.
Wall2Wall’s Carpet and Laminate Flooring Options
So, if you’ve decided which option is right for you - or if you still need to make up your mind - Wall2Wall Carpets & Flooring are here to help.
We offer a wide range of carpet and laminate flooring options to suit your needs, whatever your priorities are.
Our range of carpets and laminate flooring is durable, high-quality and versatile, so you’re bound to find the right flooring for your room.
In addition, our friendly and expert team are on hand to help you in your flooring search.
If you’re looking for carpet or laminate flooring, get in touch today