Which is better? Carpet or Hardwood Floors in Birmingham AL

If you are considering replacing your floor coverings and you are not sure which is better; Carpet or Hardwood Floors in Birmingham AL, this article may help.  You may be asking some questions such as: Which is better for allergies? Which is easier to clean, carpeting or hardwood floors?  We, at Heaven’s Best Carpet and Rug Cleaners, hear both of these questions often. And, what we usually tell our customers are that both options have pros and cons.  Recent studies indicate that a little over 50% of people still prefer carpets for many rooms in their homes, although hardwood floors are the new “in” item for most homeowners.  Everyone wants hardwoods, and we have heard many people who suffer from allergies tell us they are getting hardwoods because they have allergies and they think hardwoods are healthier.  Before you make this decision, read on.

Before going out and replacing all your carpet with hardwoods, you should consider the maintenance required for each option.  While hardwoods may appear to be easier to clean than carpet, it may not.  Carpeting gets a bad rap from those who feel it traps dust, mold and mildew, while worsening interior air quality and causing an increase in asthma and allergies. So, many think hardwoods are better.

According to the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), an industry trade association that works hard to help people separate truth from fiction, hardwoods may not be any better than carpeting. The truth is that although carpet can harbor dirt and allergens, there are no reports linking carpeting with asthma or an increase in allergies.  And, rather than carpet’s ability to trap particles being considered a bad thing, it actually prevents such particles from becoming airborne.  As long as you vacuum frequently and have your carpet cleaned regularly, carpet does not create an allergy risk.

On the other hand, advocates of hardwood maintain that these floor coverings are healthier and easier to clean than carpeting. Yet, hardwoods must also be maintained.  Sweeping, mopping, stripping, waxing, and buffing are required to keep hardwoods looking good and are just as labor intensive as vacuuming carpet.  And, if you do not frequently attend to hardwood floors, they can develop a serious population of dust bunnies that can easily become airborne and trigger allergies.

These dust bunnies and allergens are stirred up whenever walked on, and this dirt can reach your nose more easily than dirt trapped in your carpet.  Therefore, whatever your personal preference; Carpet or Hardwood, cleaning and maintenance are important factors to consider. 

Carpet that is poorly cared for with infrequent vacuuming and cleaning can look old and matted within a few years. Hardwood, on the other hand, can acquire scratches from pets, furniture, and general use that can only be fixed by buffing and polishing with special cleansers and equipment.  So regardless of Which is better, Carpet or Hardwood Floors in Birmingham AL, Heaven’s Best Carpet and Rug Cleaner can help make either easier to maintain. We clean, wax and polish hardwoods, as well as clean and protect carpets.  So, if you need help, call Heaven’s Best at (205) 739-1880 for a FREE ESTIMATE.