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Carpet or hardwood? It's ultimately a matter of personal taste, but each has its pros and cons. We'll help you choose.
“It's very popular in kitchens today. The only thing that can really hurt wood is water. Carpet is very soft. It's very cozy. It's very warm. It's a feel good product,” said Michael Masucci, flooring specialist.
Quality hardwood flooring can be a showstopper. It looks great, can ultimately give you a handsome return on your investment, but it needs to be taken care of.
“Hardwood will increase the value of your home. It is very luxurious. It's hard. It's cold. It is not the wear-all of all floors. It will damage,” said Masucci.
It is ecologically friendly. Wood is both renewable and recyclable.
“Most woods today come from managed tree farms. A tree is cut, a tree is planted,” said Masucci.
According to Masucci, you no longer have to worry about your dog ruining the finish.
“The finishes are so hard I don't think the pet nails are going to be a problem. You can't ruin the finish, but you can ruin the wood underneath it,” said Masucci.
Carpet, however, remains the top-dog.
“It's still the number one selling floor out there. We sell more carpeting than anything else. Bedrooms. Family rooms not so much. Formal living rooms and dining rooms have been going wood. But any place you want to be warm and comfortable, you want to lay on floor and watch TV, carpet's the way to go,” said Masucci.
Here on "Your Home" this week we're turning into mythbusters. If you or a family member has a lot of allergies and you're worried that carpet is the wrong way to go, because it's going to trap the allergens and make your allergies worse, think again. Masucci explains.
“A hard floor, whether it be tile, wood or laminate, the allergens, fuzz, dust bunnies, they lay right on top of the floor. As you walk around you're going to stir these up and make them airborne, whereas carpet will trap them and hold them. It's not to say you don't have to vacuum it, you have to vacuum it on a regular basis, but carpet will trap the allergens and hold them so you can get them out and not have them airborne,” said Masucci.
Remember, your choices for both are practically endless. There are all sorts of designs, colors and textures, especially when it comes to carpeting. As always, we're reminded to consult our local flooring specialist before making any decisions.