Carpet vs. laminate flooring – pros and cons

Good quality laminates and carpets are excellent choices for commercial and residential properties in the Chester, Wrexham and North Wales region. When it comes to deciding which is best for your rooms, consider these pros and cons:

Cost

Laminates and carpets are available in a number of grades. Cheap carpets and laminates are only suitable for rooms with light footfall and not commercial use, as they are not manufactured to last a long time.

There is not a lot of difference in price for a good grade laminate and a premium quality carpet. Both are easy and quick to fit, though laminate floors generally take longer to install so fitting could be more expensive than carpets.

Unlike solid wood floors, neither laminates or carpets add much to the value of a home when it comes to selling.

Durability

Expect a quality carpet to last between 8 to 15 years, whereas laminate floors can last between 15 and 25 years. The lifetime of flooring is obviously dependent on footfall. Flooring in a single-occupancy home where slippers are always worn will last a lot longer than in a commercial building with many staff and customers walking on the floor every day.

Maintenance

Laminates are easier to clean than carpets and do not trap dirt. A brush or vacuum removes loose dirt and a weekly mop is recommended. Carpets, on the other hand, need regularly vacuuming and should receive a deep steam clean at least once a year,

Laminates are resistant to most stains as long as anything spilt is promptly mopped up. Carpets are more prone to staining unless you buy one that is stain-resistant, though most stains can be removed from carpets with the right cleaning solution.

Looks

Most laminates are printed with a realistic looking wood grain pattern. There are also stone pattern laminates. Carpets come in a wide variety of colours and patterns to suit personal preference.

Feel

Carpets, especially long pile ones, feel more comfortable than laminates, though soft rugs can be put on laminate floors. If you like to go barefoot at home, carpets feel more cosier.

Sound and insulation

Laminate floors don’t absorb sounds like carpets. This can be an issue for upstairs bedrooms as noise can be heard in the rooms below. If sound absorption is important, use carpets for bedrooms.

Carpets have insulating qualities that could reduce heating bills, though probably only by a small amount.

Water resistance

The Wrexham, North Wales and Chester region has a high annual rainfall. Carpets don’t like moisture and are not suitable for bathrooms and other high moisture rooms. They can be used in halls that have outside doors, but if people regularly come inside on a wet day with muddy shoes and dripping wet clothes, laminate may be a better choice as it is more water and stain-resistant. High water resistance grades of laminates are fine for bathrooms.

As you can see, there are pros and cons when choosing which flooring to use. Talk to your local carpet and laminate supplier for more information to help you make an informed choice.