Carpet vs Hardwood Flooring: The Pros and Cons

Carpet vs Hardwood Flooring: The Pros and Cons

You’ve probably undergone the flooring dilemma if you’ve ever redecorated a house.

We don’t blame you for feeling torn. It’s a big decision to make; after all, the flooring can make or break the feeling of a room.

All you can do when making this decision is weigh up the pros and cons of each and decide which option best suits your needs.

Luckily, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list so you can do just that.

Carpet Pros:

  • Carpet offers a lot more variety when it comes to colour and texture.
  • It gives a soft, cosy look and feel to any room.
  • It's easy to vacuum.
  • It's cheaper to install than hardwood flooring.
  • Carpet is much more comfortable than hardwood flooring.
  • It is much safer for kids or those prone to falling.
  • It is very quiet.

Carpet Cons:

  • It is easily damaged by water and heat.
  • It's difficult to remove stains from.
  • It can trigger those with allergies as dust can get trapped in the fibres.
  • It will typically only last for ten years or so.
  • Carpet doesn't add much value to a property.

Hardwood Pros:

  • It gives a more sophisticated, mature look.
  • It is easy to clean by sweeping or vacuuming.
  • It is less prone to stains.
  • Hardwood flooring is generally very durable.
  • It is generally much preferred by prospective homebuyers.

Hardwood Cons:

  • There's not much variety between types of hardwood flooring.
  • It's not water-resistant.
  • It is more expensive to install than carpet.
  • It is less comfortable and safe for young children.
  • It can be loud to walk across, which may cause a problem if you live above other people.
What Will You Choose?

It can be hard to see what the clear verdict is, as both carpet and hardwood flooring have their upsides and downsides. Ultimately, your choice should depend on your needs and personal taste.

If you have young children, we would recommend a plush carpet. If you’re prone to spillages, maybe opt for hardwood flooring as a safer option. Hardwood flooring is the way forward if you want to ooze elegance and traditionalism. Whereas, carpet is probably preferable if you like a more cosy atmosphere.

There’s a reason why there’s no one universal type of flooring. Ultimately, people want different things.

If you’re still feeling stuck, there’s no need to panic. Our team is full of passionate flooring experts who are happy to answer any questions you may have. Get in touch with us or pop into one of our stores in Worthing, Billingshurst or Rustington to find out more about our services or to talk to a member of our team.

 

Maintain Your Wood Flooring in the Best Way

Maintain Your Wood Flooring in the Best Way

Certain aspects of your house are harder to maintain than others. While people often opt for hardwood floors over carpet to avoid the risk of stains, many things can also damage wooden flooring.

That doesn’t mean it has to be complicated, though.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to help you maintain and protect your wooden flooring, no matter how many feet trample over it every day.

Mop 'Til You Drop

Okay, maybe not ’til you drop. Perhaps just until the floor is clean enough.

Dust is never a good look for wooden floors. Aside from dulling the colour, it can also give the room an unpleasant smell, which we’re sure you would rather avoid.

We recommend investing in a microfibre cloth or mop to get up all those pesky particles. Alternatively, throw a soft-brush attachment onto your vacuum and give your floor a once-over every few days.

Stains, Stains, Go Away

You always want to make sure you catch stains before they set in properly. Water can be incredibly detrimental to wooden flooring and can cause it to warp if left unchecked. Use a damp microfibre cloth and cleaning spray to mop up any spillages before they do lasting damage.

The More You Scratch...

It’s pretty much inevitable that your flooring will be subject to little scratches here and there. However, that’s not to say there’s nothing you can do to limit the damage.

Think about all the little things you can do on a daily basis to prevent severe scratches. Maybe make it a rule that everyone has to take their shoes off as they enter the house. Not only will this prevent any stray stones from messing up the floor, but it will also prevent people from treading mud everywhere.

On a similar note, it may be a good idea to make sure your pets’ nails are kept trimmed. You’d be shocked how easily those little paws can wreak havoc over wooden flooring.

We also strongly advise picking up some felt furniture tips to avoid letting your tables and chairs scrape up the room.

The Floor is a Vampire

Well, not really, but it may be best to think this way when it comes to the sun.

You can’t very well go slathering SPF over every inch of your flooring, which is why it’s probably best to keep it shielded from too much direct sunlight.

Yes – that pesky big ball of fire in the sky can even damage your wooden flooring if you leave it too exposed. Like many other materials, it’s likely to fade and discolour over time.

The solution? Well, there are a few options. We would recommend either a stylish set of blinds to keep the sunlight at bay or a cosy rug to protect the flooring whilst giving the room an extra layer of personality.

We've Got You

Thinking about adding some sophistication and practicality to your house with wooden flooring?

Luckily, we’re here for you, no matter your needs.

Here at Goring Road Carpets, we are driven by a passion for what we do and a desire to see each and every one of our customers happy in their homes. We stock a diverse range of wooden flooring, samples of which you can find in our stores.

Still got questions? That’s what we’re here for. Give us a call or head over to one of our showrooms in Billingshurst, Worthing or Rustington to chat with a friendly member of staff. We serve the West Sussex area with great pride and would be happy to invite you into the Goring Road Carpet Centre family.

Redesign Your Home In 3 Easy Steps

Interior design can seem daunting to anyone unsure of how to go about the process.

Frankly, the last thing you want to do when redesigning your home is to wing it. No matter the look you’re going for, you always want to make sure it looks cohesive throughout the design. It can be pretty jarring to walk into a room the design elements don’t complement each other.

For this reason, we’ve compiled a quick guide to let you know the three steps you can complete for a stylish, cohesive look every time, whether you’re looking to redesign your bedroom, your living room, or even your bathroom.

Mood Boards Are Your Friend

You’re never going to achieve the look you want if you’re not even sure what you want. 

Take some time to brainstorm by researching on Pinterest, Instagram and Google. Make sure you save all your favourites as you browse. Once you’ve compiled all the best images into one place, you’ll likely have a much clearer idea of your design. From here, you can streamline your finds by making a mood board, either using a platform like Pinterest, throwing them into a PowerPoint, or even going the old-fashioned route and turning them into a physical collage. 

The theme that emerges from your research will direct your design choices, from colour to texture to furniture. 

Kiss the Clutter Goodbye

As tempting as it is to launch straight into the exciting stuff, you need to get rid of the junk first.
Redesigning your home presents the perfect opportunity for a fresh start. You can’t achieve that fresh start if you’re still hanging onto a load of things you don’t need that are taking up unnecessary space in your house and mind.

We would always advise doing a thorough sort-through of your belongings and clearing out all the things that serve no purpose in your life anymore. Trust us; you’ll be surprised at how amazing you feel afterwards.

However, make sure you keep it as sustainable as possible. If you’re not loving an old piece of furniture, consider upcycling it instead of buying something new. On a similar note, never underestimate the power of second-hand steals. Check out your local charity shops or platforms like Facebook Marketplace to find some unique, affordable elements for your new home.

To Tie it all Together...

While we’re on the topic of underestimating things, you should NEVER overlook how important flooring can be.

Your flooring choice will very much vary depending on where you’re planning to redesign and the atmosphere you want to cultivate.

If you want a cosy, bedroom feel, a plush cream carpet may just be the key element that gives you the result you’re looking for. Alternatively, if you want a stylish, sophisticated dining area where you can host dinner parties, a hardwood floor will most likely do the trick.

Let Us Help You Create the Perfect Home

As we mentioned, flooring is a pretty essential part of your home and will play a big role in setting the tone of the room. It can be difficult to know what would work best for your needs, which is why we have an expert team on hand to help you select the perfect flooring.

Got any questions? No worries. Get in touch with our team through the form on our website to talk to our friendly team.

What is the Best Flooring to Get When You Have Pets?

What is the Best Flooring to Get When You Have Pets?

If you have some furry friends living in your house, you’ve probably had the stress at some point of dealing with a stain or scratched floor now and then. It can be difficult to know which flooring is best for your pets, especially if you have never had one before. Love them as much as we do, there’s no denying they can have a bit of an impact on the state of our homes! While your pet’s happiness is always the top priority, we want to make sure your home has the best chance of thriving as well. That’s why we’re here to give our advice on the best floors to have installed if you’re worried about the effect your pets will have on them.

Wooden Flooring

If your pets are prone to accidents or bringing in mud, wooden flooring may be the perfect option for you. Wood is extremely beneficial as it is very easy to clean with a mop, vacuum cleaner or even a dustpan and brush. It is also a very durable material. If you are concerned about scratches from your pets’ claws, you will typically not find this to be much of an issue, as the natural stains in the wood will usually cover up any dents and marks. Moreover, natural wooden flooring is stain resistant, meaning you won’t have to worry about mud or anything else from your furry one’s paws!

The only disadvantage you may encounter with wooden floors is the risk of slipping.

Carpet

While we don’t generally advise having carpet installed if you have pets, it is possible if you take care to clean the floor thoroughly and regularly. We would suggest installing the carpet in the parts of your home where your pets are less likely to go, perhaps in your bedroom or upstairs if they are off-limits. 

Carpet is generally not recommended due to its ability to trap dirt, mud, fur and dust. It is also a lot more likely to stain than other materials and has the potential to store fleas that your pets bring in.

Vinyl Flooring

Our number one recommendation for flooring if you have pets is vinyl flooring. This is the most durable type of flooring available, making it perfect for your little furry friends as they run back and forth. As with wooden flooring, it has stain-resistant properties, so you won’t have to worry about any permanent damage. It’s incredibly easy to clean, and some types are even waterproof. You won’t ever have to worry about replacing the flooring, as it is impossible for claws to make any scratches or dents!

Choose Goring Road Carpets For High-Quality Flooring

Looking to give your home the upgrade it needs? Goring Road Carpets are your best choice. With our extensive range of flooring options and expert team of experienced fitters, you’ll never have to worry about your home looking stylish again.

Got any questions? Need advice? No worries.

Our team will always go above and beyond for every single one of our customers. We are more than happy to help answer your enquiries and recommend the perfect flooring option for your home, both in terms of style and practicality. If you’d like to learn more about our services, have a browse of our website and check out the range of flooring options we have on offer. Want to enquire about our services? Head over to the ‘contact us’ section of our website, where you will find all our contact details.

Your home deserves the best. Visit Goring Road Carpets for nothing less!