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Dear Rob:
We really need to replace the carpeting in our new house, but we aren’t sure what flooring would work best for our family. Although we like the durability of tile, we also have young children and expect my elderly grandmother to move in with us within the next few years.
With those needs in mind, what type of flooring would you recommend?
-Rita in Washington
Dear Rita:
Different lifestyles call for different flooring needs. In particular, homes with children, elderly family members, and pets can benefit from choosing flooring that fits their specific needs. Therefore, it helps to compare the strengths and weaknesses of each option before making a decision. Below are some of the advantages and disadvantages of hardwood, carpet, and tile for your lifestyle.
Flooring advantages for homes with children include:</h3>
Hardwood:
- First, hardwood stands up well to rough play, most toys, and heavy traffic.
- In addition, it is long-lasting.
- Unlike carpet, hardwood does not usually need replacement after years of spills and stains.
- Also, it can be an excellent choice for households with allergies.
- Finally, you can refinish hardwood if it develops excessive wear and tear.
Tile:
- Durable against rough play, toys, and heavy traffic
- Tile floors are water resistant against spills
- Tile floors are stain resistant against spills
Carpet:
- After the children are grown and have finished extreme wear on the product, it can be replaced
- Soft to play on
- Keeps the room quiet
Flooring disadvantages for homes with children:
Hardwood:
- Slips and falls can happen when children are in socks
- Extreme use of certain toys can permanently scratch wood floors
- Certain toys or misuse can dent soft woods like pine flooring
- Kids tend not to be as careful with hardwood’s enemy: water
- Falls can hurt a little more on hardwood than floors such as carpet
Tile:
- Slips and falls can hurt a little more on tile than floors such as carpet
- Tile is not as comfortable to lie on and play
Carpet:
- Carpet shows spills and stains more if not caught and cleaned up on time
- Carpet needs to be replaced before other flooring types such as tile or hardwood
Flooring advantages for homes with elderly persons:
Hardwood:
- Wheelchairs can roll easily without damaging floors
Tile:
- Wheelchairs can roll easily without damaging floors
Carpet:
- Falls are softer on carpet than other flooring surfaces such as hardwood or tile
- Carpet is softer on the joints than other flooring surfaces such as hardwood or tile
Flooring disadvantages for homes with elderly persons:
Hardwood:
- Slips and falls can hurt a little more on hardwood than floors such as carpet
Tile:
- Slips and falls can hurt a little more on tile floors than floors such as carpet
- Tile is harder on the joints than floors such as carpet when standing for long periods of time
Carpet:
- Wheelchairs and walkers do not roll as well on carpet
- Wheelchairs can leave wheel marks indented in carpet
Flooring advantages for homes with pets include:
Hardwood:
- Hair is easy to keep swept up
- Pet accidents are easy to clean up
- Spills caused by pets are easy to clean up
Tile:
- Hair is easy to keep swept up
- Pet accidents are easy to clean up
- Spills caused by pets are easy to clean up
- Nails do not damage the floors like with hardwood or carpet
Carpet:
- Carpet is soft and warm to lie on
Flooring disadvantages for homes with pets include:
Hardwood:
- Heavier dogs with sharp nails can scratch hardwood
Tile:
- Tile can be uncomfortable to lie on
Carpet:
- Accidents can be harder to clean up if not caught in time
General flooring advantages for homes:
Hardwood:
- Lasting beauty
- Hardwood adds resale value to homes
- Warm feel to the home
- Easy to maintain
Tile:
- Tile adds resale value to homes
- There is no need to refinish tile floors
- Easy to maintain
Carpet:
- Carpet is soft and warm
General flooring disadvantages for homes:
Hardwood:
- High heels can leave permanent dents in the floor
- Dirt and dust can gather in the corners of the room if not cleaned frequently
- Homes with frequent water spills are not the best candidates for hardwood
Tile:
- Tile can be noisy
- Glassware and fragile items can break when dropped
Carpet:
- Has to be replaced before hard surface items such as hardwood or tile
I hope this breakdown helps you with your flooring decisions!
-Rob
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