When it comes to choosing affordable flooring for your home, there are several factors to consider. Carpet and laminates are both popular economical choices. Carpet dates back centuries while laminates are a new technology and they both make great floors. But you need to compare them on the basis of your needs to make an informed decision. In this blog post, we’ll review and compare both types of flooring.

1. Composition and Appearance

Carpets come in several varieties and styles such as woven, knotted, tufted and needle felt. An upper layer of yarn is attached to the backing. Recent carpets have stain-resistant soft fibres, obtained from both natural wool as well as petroleum-based synthetic materials.

Laminates are made of wood particles or high-density fibre board. In a laminate plank, there are typically four layers, including a clear, hard layer on the top that boosts durability. Laminates resemble natural materials like hardwood, stone and tiles.

Both carpet and laminate flooring come in different colors, styles, patterns, textures and designs. However, carpet is not only warmer and softer under feet, but also good at noise absorption.

2. Durability

Laminates are resistant to scratches, mold and mildew. These properties also make laminate floors easier to clean and maintain than carpets. High-quality laminate flooring can last up to 25-30 years while carpeting needs to be changed every 5-10 years. Although modern carpets are more durable than the traditional ones, they also don’t last more than 10 years.

If you wish to renovate your floors more frequently, then carpeting is a more budget-friendly option than laminates. But if you’re looking for a long-term investment, go for superior quality laminate flooring.

3. Cleaning and Maintenance

Carpets generally require thorough cleaning more frequently with an appropriate vacuum and commercial carpet cleaners. Vacuuming more than twice a week is necessary. A hot water extraction for deep cleaning is also required every 12-18 months.

Laminate flooring requires regular sweeping or vacuuming to remove dust and debris from the floor surface. An occasional deep cleaning with commercial laminate floor cleaners is required every few months.

Note that spills should be immediately wiped up from both the types of flooring. Spills or standing pools of water if left unattended can stain carpets and promote the growth of mold and mildew. Laminates, on the other hand, can swell and warp when saturated with water.

4. Installation and Replacement

Carpets are known to cover minor irregularities in a floor. They can be laid over any type of floors, be it concrete, stone, wood or tiles. Laminate floors can also be installed on any type of existing floor except over carpet.

Laminates, especially with tongue-and-groove or click lock systems are comparatively easier to install than carpets. Carpet needs stretching and special tools for installation in large rooms.

Another point to note is, when carpet gets damaged, the entire carpet needs to be replaced. Laminate flooring, although it can’t be refinished, comes with the advantage of replacing only the affected planks or sheets instead of changing the entire floor.

Which Flooring Option is Better?

Now that you know the characteristics of both carpeting and laminate flooring, let’s review their suitability in your living spaces. Your choice depends on your room specific needs and budget.

Carpets are not a good choice for areas like kitchens and dining rooms that are prone to spills and leakage. Laminates are a better choice for kitchens, dining and living rooms as they’re easy to clean and resistant to stains. They can also be styled with area rugs.

Laminate Floors are also a healthier and safer flooring option than carpet as they’re more hygienic and hypoallergenic. Call for your appointment with a specialist today.

← return to main news page