This is a question we are often asked by our customers when helping them to decide what is best for their homes. It is important to keep in mind that what may work for one homeowner, may not be suited to another, so we have created this little guide to help make this decision easier for you.
[For the sake of this article, Hard Flooring includes: Timber Flooring, Vinyl and Laminate]
Cost:
We like to mention this first as for a lot of people who are in the process of renovating or building a new home, the cost of floor coverings can either make or break the budget. At the moment, to have good quality flooring supplied and installed- especially in homes with lots of corners or stairs- can become a very costly exercise. These days the average price for supply and installation of hard flooring is $70-$80/sqm while supply and installation of carpet begins at $35-$45/sqm. This isn’t to say that there aren’t cheaper alternatives out there (I’m looking at you, DIYers 😉 ), but if you’re looking to resell your home or want a professional touch, these numbers can quickly add up.
Maintenance:
A large portion of the carpets we stock are stain resistant and meet very stringent durability testing standards- this means that spillages and being in high traffic areas are not as scary as they used to be. We know that spilling something on flooring is still much easier to clean than carpet, but certain types of flooring are also more prone to being scratched by furniture, pets or even certain styles of shoes, which can quickly detract from their appearance.
A stain in your carpet can usually easily be removed by professional carpet cleaners in under an hour (plus a 3-4 hour drying time), however to bring your hard flooring back to its former glory can take anywhere up to a week depending on its finish during which time ALL furniture will have to be removed/relocated from the areas, and you may be unable to walk on the floor or even potentially enter your home.
Cleaning:
Carpets have, in the past, received a bad rap for being “a hub of dirt, dust, and grime”. However, with the latest manufacturing techniques, this is no longer the case when regularly cleaned. Our Polypropylene and Solution Dyed Nylon ranges have been specially treated to not only be stain resistant, but also help trap any dirt and grime in the upper fibres. This means a quick vacuum can remove the bulk of the dirt in a matter of minutes. Hard floors are also really easy to clean, only needing a sweep or quick wash.
Allergies:
Having many allergies in our family, we have always been aware that older carpets can trap many allergens deep within their fibres, which until now has not been the case with most hard floors.
Many of the carpets we stock are now tested to meet stringent hypoallergenic standards. This combined with today’s vacuum cleaners can mean that your family can breathe easy again.
Durability:
It pains us to say this, but what happens when your carpet, vinyl or laminate grows old, is no longer “in style” or gets that ancient faded look? Spend money again, go out buy new carpet, vinyl or laminate and have it reinstalled only to go through the same cycle again. Timber flooring, on the other hand, is more durable and tends to last for far longer period of time. In cases where the timber fades, you simply have them sanded back and restained. While it will fill up potential cracks in your flooring and restore its look, it will not always be the most cost effective method.
In terms of sustainability and durability, nothing comes close timber flooring.
The Feel: Noise, Smell & Warmth:
Carpets are all about quiet and a noiseless, dampened environment. On the other hand, timber and laminate flooring almost always make a sound- unless you’re wearing socks or slippers expect there to be some noise when you move around. Carpets are good insulators of sound and heat making them a good option for people in colder climates or those who are more susceptible to feeling the cold.
These categories are a little harder to discuss, as with almost anything, our senses are incredibly personal. Just because one individual likes the softness of carpet, or the smell of brand new flooring, doesn’t mean it will resonate the same with someone else. However, they are still very important factors when deciding which floor covering to have in your home.
When freshly laid, both of these floor coverings will have a slight odour which will quickly fade with proper ventilation- luckily with newer manufacturing methods, neither of these options pose any long term risks to your health, but can trigger those with respiratory problems until the smells fade.
For those who are greatly affected by the cold, or prefer to have something soft and cozy to walk in, carpet is the perfect choice for you. Though, if you prefer a cool touch and more rigidity, timber flooring is by far a better option.
While all forms of flooring have their benefits, it is important for you to feel confident that your choice will best suit your home and your lifestyle. New manufacturing technologies have come a long way in only few short years which have almost eliminated many of carpets’ perceived draw backs.
No matter your decision, we are dedicated to finding the right floor covering for you! (Yes, even if it means recommending a hard flooring distributor instead!)
We are a family owned and operated business based in Ringwood North, Victoria, proudly servicing Melbourne and the Yarra Valley.
We always advocate for open lines of communication between landlords and tenants - It helps protect your interests!
This is a question we are often asked by our customers when helping them to decide what is best for their homes. It is important to keep in mind that what may work for one homeowner, may not be suited to another, so we have created this little guide to help make this decision easier for you.
[For the sake of this article, Hard Flooring includes: Timber Flooring, Vinyl and Laminate]
Cost:
We like to mention this first as for a lot of people who are in the process of renovating or building a new home, the cost of floor coverings can either make or break the budget. At the moment, to have good quality flooring supplied and installed- especially in homes with lots of corners or stairs- can become a very costly exercise. These days the average price for supply and installation of hard flooring is $70-$80/sqm while supply and installation of carpet begins at $35-$45/sqm. This isn’t to say that there aren’t cheaper alternatives out there (I’m looking at you, DIYers 😉 ), but if you’re looking to resell your home or want a professional touch, these numbers can quickly add up.
Maintenance:
A large portion of the carpets we stock are stain resistant and meet very stringent durability testing standards- this means that spillages and being in high traffic areas are not as scary as they used to be. We know that spilling something on flooring is still much easier to clean than carpet, but certain types of flooring are also more prone to being scratched by furniture, pets or even certain styles of shoes, which can quickly detract from their appearance.
A stain in your carpet can usually easily be removed by professional carpet cleaners in under an hour (plus a 3-4 hour drying time), however to bring your hard flooring back to its former glory can take anywhere up to a week depending on its finish during which time ALL furniture will have to be removed/relocated from the areas, and you may be unable to walk on the floor or even potentially enter your home.
Cleaning:
Carpets have, in the past, received a bad rap for being “a hub of dirt, dust, and grime”. However, with the latest manufacturing techniques, this is no longer the case when regularly cleaned. Our Polypropylene and Solution Dyed Nylon ranges have been specially treated to not only be stain resistant, but also help trap any dirt and grime in the upper fibres. This means a quick vacuum can remove the bulk of the dirt in a matter of minutes. Hard floors are also really easy to clean, only needing a sweep or quick wash.
Allergies:
Having many allergies in our family, we have always been aware that older carpets can trap many allergens deep within their fibres, which until now has not been the case with most hard floors.
Many of the carpets we stock are now tested to meet stringent hypoallergenic standards. This combined with today’s vacuum cleaners can mean that your family can breathe easy again.
Durability:
It pains us to say this, but what happens when your carpet, vinyl or laminate grows old, is no longer “in style” or gets that ancient faded look? Spend money again, go out buy new carpet, vinyl or laminate and have it reinstalled only to go through the same cycle again. Timber flooring, on the other hand, is more durable and tends to last for far longer period of time. In cases where the timber fades, you simply have them sanded back and restained. While it will fill up potential cracks in your flooring and restore its look, it will not always be the most cost effective method.
In terms of sustainability and durability, nothing comes close timber flooring.
The Feel: Noise, Smell & Warmth:
Carpets are all about quiet and a noiseless, dampened environment. On the other hand, timber and laminate flooring almost always make a sound- unless you’re wearing socks or slippers expect there to be some noise when you move around. Carpets are good insulators of sound and heat making them a good option for people in colder climates or those who are more susceptible to feeling the cold.
These categories are a little harder to discuss, as with almost anything, our senses are incredibly personal. Just because one individual likes the softness of carpet, or the smell of brand new flooring, doesn’t mean it will resonate the same with someone else. However, they are still very important factors when deciding which floor covering to have in your home.
When freshly laid, both of these floor coverings will have a slight odour which will quickly fade with proper ventilation- luckily with newer manufacturing methods, neither of these options pose any long term risks to your health, but can trigger those with respiratory problems until the smells fade.
For those who are greatly affected by the cold, or prefer to have something soft and cozy to walk in, carpet is the perfect choice for you. Though, if you prefer a cool touch and more rigidity, timber flooring is by far a better option.
While all forms of flooring have their benefits, it is important for you to feel confident that your choice will best suit your home and your lifestyle. New manufacturing technologies have come a long way in only few short years which have almost eliminated many of carpets’ perceived draw backs.
No matter your decision, we are dedicated to finding the right floor covering for you! (Yes, even if it means recommending a hard flooring distributor instead!)