Pros And Cons
CARPET
Carpet is an inexpensive and all-around great option for many different projects. Thanks to manufacturers committed to providing a superior product, carpet has come a long way in the recent years and is now offered in many different colors and styles.
PROS
  • Carpet offers a softness and cushion underfoot that is not found with hard surface products such as vinyl plank or laminate
  • Carpet is typically more costs effective hard surface flooring
  • It also offers great sound insulation, which can help in apartments and upper-level rooms
  • In addition, carpet is an eco-friendly option because it can be recycled after use and in many cases is made, partially, from recycled materials
CONS
  • Carpet is easily accessible and typically a less expensive option, which is great for the end user, but typically makes for a less appealing option for people that are in the market for a new home
  • Carpet is also not always the most hypoallergenic options. Carpet can trap and hold onto dirt and allergens. You will need to vacuum at least once a week to maintain a clean carpet
  • Your carpet will also mostly likely need to be professionally cleaned at some point
  • Carpet is a most often sold in a 12-foot-wide roll making transportation and installation very difficult
CARPET TILE
Carpet tiles come in many different shapes, making it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. They can be laid in different patterns, or you can use two different styles or colors together for your desired look. Carpet tile is a great alternative to the traditional 12-foot-wide carpet rolls. Carpet tiles have become very popular because of the ease of installation and repairs.
PROS
  • Ease of installation. Carpet tiles are a great DIY option if you are looking to complete a project yourself
  • Comes in many different colors and shapes, making it easy to find the right product for you
  • The low pile makes carpet tile more durable and easier to maintain than traditional broadloom carpet
  • Carpet tile is sold in smaller units making it easier to store, transport, and handle. It also makes it more convenient for homes and business because of minimal disruption
CONS
  • Carpet tile is more expensive than broadloom carpet rolls
  • Due to the patterns and shapes available for carpet tile, it can make for a less uniform look once installation is complete. This makes it ideal for commercial use, but can make it difficult for residential use
  • Much like broadloom carpet, carpet tile is susceptible to fraying around the edges or fibers that can come loose
  • Most carpet tiles required adhesive to install, which can make the whole process slightly more involved and can delay completion
CARPET CUSHION
Carpet cushions provides additional padding to your carpet. It also helps protect both your carpet and your subfloors from wear and tear cause by foot traffic. It also protects your subfloors from any dents or scratches from your furniture.Carpet cushion is typically from reused scraps of high-density urethane foam used in furniture and automotive manufacture. Spending a little additional money on a thicker carpet cushion can also help your carpet hold up against the test of time. There several different types of carpet cushion that comes with different features to help provide various levels of protection for your carpet
Rebond Padding
PROS
  • Rebond carpet cushion is lower in cost compared to padding that comes with an attached moisture barriers or memory foam
  • Rebond also has superior thickness and firmness of up to ½-inch which will offer additional support to your carpet
  • Rebond is extremely durable because it is made from recycled material. The insulating value of rebond is the highest ranking among all padding options
CONS
  • Rebond does not offer as much comfort or padding as memory foam
  • Rebond does not last as long as some of its counterpart, like rubber padding, which has more durability
  • Typically, rebond has a lifespan up to 10 years, whereas higher-end carpet pad can last anywhere from 15-25 years
Padding with Moisture Barrier
PROS
  • Carpet padding with attached moisture barrier, help to protect against moisture
  • This barrier can help keep your subfloors from become susceptible to damage due to moisture exposure
  • It is a great option for pet owners who often deal with accidents on the carpet or for families with kids
CONS
  • Although carpet padding with added moisture barrier can help project your subfloors from moisture damage, they are not effective in the event of severe flooding, pump backup, broken pipe, or any other damaging water event
  • The added moisture barrier will keep moisture from reaching the subfloor but without the capacity to soak downward the puddle will spread outwards in the carpet. This may cause delamination, which is the separation of the carpet backing. This will reduce the life of the carpet
  • When emergency water damages occur, it is important that you always replace the moisture barrier pad
  • Moisture barrier padding protects will against surface moisture, or moisture that comes from above. However, when the moisture is coming from the underside of the padding, the moisture barrier is not effective
  • Memory Foam Padding Pros
Memory Foam Padding
PROS
  • Memory foam carpet pad can make the carpet more elastic. Carpet is easiest managed by the memory foam pad. Memory foam carpet pads is the best choice to prevent drafts from flowing through the carpet. These carpet pads also act as a thermal insulator, which can be a big help with the air conditioning bill. Memory foam carpet pad is super comfortable to walk or lay on. Carpet pad can help immensely to reduce noise levels in your home to help create a more peaceful home. Another great quality is that cleaning is much easier because of spill guard protection. Memory foam carpet is definitely a great investment that will save you future expenses in cleaning and replacing your carpet and pad.
CONS
  • If you are looking for extra support for your carpet, memory foam carpet padding is not an ideal choice. Memory foam has squishy padding that doesn’t give the carpet much assistance. Making repairs and cleaning the memory foam pad will not be an easy, and can even result in replacing a large area, if not all. If your subfloor is also flexible and the memory foam goes a top, then the carpet life span will not be a long one
Luxury Vinyl Plank
Vinyl plank flooring is one of the most popular flooring options out there. Its comes in long rectangular strips and can be glue down or clicked in, allowing for flexibility in any project. Typically, vinyl plank comes with an attached acoustical backing, which can eliminate the need for an additional moisture barrier. LVP is easy to install and maintain, making in an ideal choice for many homes
PROS
  • LVP is very affordable and usually ranges from $2-5 per square foot.
  • The click installation makes it very easy for installers to complete jobs quickly and efficiently
  • There are many colors and beautiful designs to choose from
  • It is very durable for active households with kids and/or pets
  • LVP is easy to maintain and typically only requires moderate sweeping or mopping with a damp cloth and mild detergent
  • Luxury vinyl plank is typically water resistant, making it an ideal option for bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms
CONS
  • Some LVP may be inconsistent in quality, resulting in issues that may arise during the installation process or sometime after installation is completed
  • If you have chosen a glued down installation, and you have product you’d like to remove, this can be a difficult process
  • Planks can fade when exposed to direct sunlight
  • Luxury vinyl plank requires a specific environment. Typically, your home must stay between 65-85 degrees and windows must have coverings to protect the floor from direct sunlight
  • Installation parameters are also specific, and require precise temperatures, moisture readings and flatness to keep warranty intact
Sheet Vinyl
Sheet vinyl is an inexpensive option for those looking to give their home a new look on a budget. It typically comes in 6 or 12ft wide rolls and is installed by being glued down to the existing sub-floor. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, making it ideal for almost any project. Sheet vinyl is most commonly used in bathroom, laundry rooms and kitchens due to its water resistant characteristics.
PROS
  • Sheet vinyl is made up of mostly PVC resin making, which makes it extremely resistant to water.
  • Homeowners are a fan a sheet vinyl because of its versatility. It can be installed in areas of y our home with high moisture such as bathrooms, the kitchen, and laundry rooms.
  • Sheet vinyl is easy to produce, making a budget friendly flooring option.
  • It is easy to install, with the right professional
CONS
  • Not all sheet vinyl has a protective UV layer, this means that if your vinyl is exposed to the sun, overtime it can become yellow or discolored.
  • Sheet vinyl is not as durable as other flooring options, which means it needs to be replaced more often.
  • Because sheet vinyl is adhered directly to the subfloor, it is important that the subfloor is completely level and smooth. This may require additional prep work and additional money
  • If any small grains or other particles get trapped underneath, this can wear down the flooring over time
  • Repairing sheet vinyl when there is a scratch or tear can be an issue, due to the difficulty of matching patters up exactly. Depending on the severity of the issue and the pattern on your vinyl, large scratches or tears may result in full replacement of your floors
Laminate
Laminate has been around for many years. It is a resilient flooring and has been the choice of many homeowners. Over the years, laminate has remained a solid flooring choice as it is typically less expensive and more durable than a water proof plank option.
PROS
  • Due to the durability of laminate, it is more resistant to scratches will look better for longer.
  • Laminate performs well in areas with heavy traffic.
  • Laminate can be considered a DIY project because or the ease of installation and affordability.
  • There are many reputable brands that make the core layer of their products out of recycled material, which makes it a great option if you are looking for an eco-friendly option.
  • There have been many improvements made to laminate in the last few years and there are now water-resistant options available. The popularity of water-resistant laminate has increase in the last few years and you can now find water-resistant options in most showrooms.
CONS
  • Traditional laminate flooring options are not water-proof and can be susceptible to water damage. This makes laminate a less ideal option for areas in your home with high moisture.
  • Because laminate is a less expensive flooring option, its overall appearance does not mimic the look of real hardwood floors as well as some vinyl plank options.
  • It can be harder to fix damage caused to laminate which may result in the need for full replacement if the damage is extensive.
  • Laminate is not as effective in dampening sound as other flooring options like carpet or sheet vinyl. In fact, laminate may create more noise when walked on than vinyl plank or hardwood flooring.
Engineered Hardwood
PROS
  • Engineered hardwood is more cost effective than solid hardwood.
  • Engineered hardwood is not as sensitive to temperature and moisture, unlike solid hardwood.
  • This is more eco-friendly option when compared to solid wood.
  • Engineered Hardwood comes in a many different colors and textures, making is easier to find the right flooring for your home.
CONS
  • The veneer finish on engineered hardwood is much thinner than that of solid hard wood. This means it can only be refinished once in the span of its lifetime.
  • It is just as much work to maintain engineered hardwood floors as it is to maintain solid hardwood, but you do not get all the same benefits
  • Engineered hardwood is not as durable as laminate. It is normal to see dents and scratches begin to emerge over the years.
  • The integrity of engineered hardwood is not always consistent across vendors.
Hardwood
PROS
  • The look of hardwood floors is beautiful and natural, with many different options for stains and finishes.
  • Solid hardwood floors are very durable and can last a lifetime if they are well taken care of.
  • Many experts recommend refinishing the floors every ten years to keep them looking great. This helps to extend the life of your floors.
  • Maintenance for hardwood floors is not difficult and can be done simply by sweeping and mopping regularly. The best mixture for cleaning is vinegar and water.
  • Carpet collects lot of dust and allergens, which is not an issue with hardwood floors.
  • Engineered Hardwood offers a great return on investment.
CONS
  • Hardwood floors do not offer the same durability as some other flooring options and can be more susceptible to damage from water and sun exposure.
  • Hardwood flooring is definitely a more expensive option to go with. With current cost exceeding those of vinyl plank or laminate options, Hardwood flooring is oe of the most expensive flooring types.
  • Hardwood floors are not water resistant, which can make it much more susceptible to water damage in areas of high moisture such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
  • Hardwood with water damage may swell or begin cupping. This can mean expensive repairs for your floors.

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