Carpet vs Hardwood Flooring
**Hardwood** (or engineered wood) lasts decades and boosts resale appeal. **Carpet** is softer, quieter, and cheaper upfront but stains and wears faster in high traffic.
Step by step
1. Price per sq ft installed
Include pad, transitions, and demo.
2. Room use
Bedrooms vs muddy entryways differ.
3. Allergy & pets
Hard surfaces clean easier; carpet traps dander.
Carpet vs hardwood
Many homes mix—hardwood downstairs, carpet upstairs.
- Hardwood: Refinishable; higher upfront.
- Carpet: Warm; replace every 7–12 years.
Use our calculators
Common mistakes
- Hardwood in wet bathrooms
- Cheap carpet pad that fails quickly
FAQ
Does hardwood always add value?
Quality install in main living areas usually helps resale.