There was a time when there was no debate between carpet and vinyl flooring; hands down carpet was the winner compared to the first-generation vinyl, which was often seen as tacky and cheap. 

However, over the past few decades, vinyl flooring has undergone a major transformation, and the latest luxury vinyl is judged to be an excellent flooring that has many good features. It is for these reasons that luxury vinyl has now become the most installed flooring in residential homes, businesses, corporate offices, the healthcare industry, and many more commercial businesses. 

This is not to say that carpet doesn’t also have good features, but its use is far more restricted than luxury vinyl. To appreciate the differences between carpet vs. vinyl flooring, it is important to look at the pros and cons of each one.

Pros and Cons of Carpeted Flooring

Pros

  1. It is inexpensive: Overall, carpet is much cheaper than most other floorings. This is one of the key reasons why carpet is often installed in many residential homes and businesses and why we discuss vinyl floors vs. carpet.
  2. It is quiet: One of the great features of carpet is the ability to absorb noise and reduce echoing. Carpet can muffle the sound of people talking in the corridor and reduce the noise of footsteps; hence, it is widely used in hospitals and corporate offices.
  3. It is soft: Another great feature of the carpet is its softness, which makes it child-friendly and feet-friendly. A fall on carpeting is less likely to result in a major injury compared to a fall on cement or tiles. Carpet can render a cozy and warm feeling that is not easy to achieve with other flooring materials.
  4. Cold climates: For cool climates, carpet is the ideal flooring as it provides warmth and feels easy on the feet.
  5. It is versatile: Today, there are thousands of designs, styles, patterns, and textures of carpets on the market. This allows you to match any type of decor in the home. In addition, the many different textures also allow carpets to be installed in a wide range of environments, like the bedroom, living room, gym, garage, hallways, or the lobby. The latest nylon fabrics make carpets very durable and are ideal for use in most commercial businesses.
  6. Easy to install: Another advantage of carpet is that it is relatively easy to install. An entire home can be carpeted in one day. For those looking for a quick flooring solution with no hassles, carpet should be at the top of the list. This is another positive in the discussion of carpet vs. vinyl.

Cons

  1. Carpets are not good at hiding dirt depending on their color: A bright or vivid color carpet will usually reveal all the stains, dirt, and debris immediately and make the carpet look dirty.
  2. Frequent vacuuming: While carpet is not overly high maintenance, it does require frequent vacuuming and even shampooing to maintain the color and aesthetics. Most carpets get dirty and look worn out within 5-7 years.
  3. Wear and tear: Carpet is notorious for showing early wear and tear, especially in areas of high foot traffic. The fibers often get matted down and look lifeless. In such instances, carpet flooring may require more frequent replacement compared to hardwood, vinyl, or laminate. This is where vinyl floors vs. carpet shines.
  4. Needs regular maintenance: If you want to maintain the carpet aesthetics and look, it will need vacuuming regularly and perhaps even professional cleaning once a year. If the carpet has been stained, it will need shampooing.
  5. Carpet is for limited areas: Even though carpet is ideal for the bedroom and living room, it is not a great option for bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, or entrances. These areas often require alternate flooring.
  6. Durability: Carpet’s durability is limited to 1-2 decades depending on how well you have maintained it. In busy areas, it may require replacement every decade and this can get to be inconvenient and expensive.
  7. Carpet is not moisture resistant: If a spill is not rapidly cleaned, it can lead to rot. Plus, carpet is not ideal if you have pets as it can quickly get stained and look dirty

Benefits of Vinyl Flooring

  1. Luxury vinyl is very versatile: It can be installed almost anywhere in a home or a business. This is because it is moisture resistant, stain-resistant, dirt-resistant, and durable. This is a definite plus when talking about vinyl floors vs. carpet.
  2. Available in many styles: Luxury vinyl is available in many patterns, styles, and colors. The latest luxury vinyl can mimic the look of hardwood, marble, or even concrete.
  3. Soft on the feet: Even though luxury vinyl may appear to be hard, it is quite soft on the undersurface and easy on the feet. If you have children, perhaps a soft rug may be placed in areas that feel hard.
  4. Can be customized: Luxury vinyl is so versatile it can be customized to meet your personal needs. This is another plus when talking about vinyl flooring vs. carpet.
  5. Ease of cleaning: Unlike carpet, luxury vinyl is much easier to clean. All you need is to sweep or vacuum it regularly. In addition, all spills can be wiped away and the flooring can be opened for use immediately.
  6. Is moisture resistant: Luxury vinyl is extremely moisture resistant, unlike carpet. Spills can be wiped with a rag or cloth. In addition, luxury vinyl will not even stain. And like carpet, it doesn’t collect dirt and debris.
  7. Comes with a protective coat: The latest luxury vinyl flooring comes with a surface coating that adds an extra layer of protection. This extra layer can resist dirt, stains, and moisture, and is also anti-slip. The protective coat ensures that the vinyl flooring will not get easily scratched or bruised.
  8. Durable: Luxury vinyl flooring if well maintained can easily last upwards of two decades. It can withstand heavy foot and roller traffic well without showing any wear and tear for many years.

Applications

Carpet still remains a popular flooring option but with some restrictions. It is generally avoided in areas of high traffic, bathrooms, and kitchens. Carpet flooring is ideal for the living room and bedroom, corporate offices, and lobby of commercial buildings. Because of its high noise muffling ability, it still remains the flooring of choice in hospitals when discussing carpet vs. vinyl.

Luxury vinyl is much more versatile than carpet and can be installed in the lobby, entrance corridor, living room, bathroom, and kitchen. Because of its many great features, luxury vinyl is now regularly being installed in hotels, commercial buildings, healthcare institutions, grocery stores, and retail businesses.

Conclusion

There is no right or wrong answer when selecting between carpet and luxury vinyl flooring. For example, if you live in a cool climate, carpet is preferred as it will keep your feet and house warmer. 

If humidity is an issue, however, then it may be advisable to go with luxury vinyl. In addition, if you have children, carpet is recommended as it cushions falls. If you want low-maintenance flooring, though, that is easy to clean, then vinyl is recommended. Many things should be considered when discussing carpet vs. vinyl flooring.

In most corporate and office settings, carpet is preferred as it has good acoustic properties and feels warm and soft.  The important thing to remember is that you really do not have to choose between carpet and luxury vinyl flooring. 

They both complement each other, and they each have their strengths and weaknesses. The key is to combine the two floorings so that you get the most out of them. There is much to think about when considering vinyl floors vs. carpet.

Call East Coast Flooring & Interiors today at 1-954-773-9575 to speak to a knowledgeable staff member who can answer your questions.