Carpet and area rugs can influence more than the aesthetics of your home. Flooring materials can affect your family’s lives in numerous ways. Here are some facts to consider when choosing the type of carpet for your home.
Carpet vs. Rug
Wall-to-wall carpet covers an entire floor. It is made of a thick woven fabric that is held to the floor with tacking strips or glue. Rugs are usually made of woven materials. They are designed to cover only a section of the floor.
Design Options
Using carpet of one color in multiple rooms can give a home a unified appearance. Rugs don’t produce this same effect. They are better for giving individual spaces style and character and for providing structure in a home with an open floor plan.
Since carpet comes in a wide range of neutral colors, it can give you many choices when it comes to furniture and accessories. On the other hand, if you decide to buy new furniture or paint the walls a different color, replacing an area rug will be a lot easier and may cost a lot less than installing new wall-to-wall carpeting.
Carpets can get worn in high-traffic areas. If that happens, it may be necessary to replace some or all of the carpet, which can be expensive. Replacing area rugs is much more affordable.
Area rugs can be moved from room to room if you decide to change your décor. If you move to a new house, you will be able to take area rugs with you. You won’t be able to do that with wall-to-wall carpeting, since it was cut to match the dimensions of your current home.
Comfort
If you like to walk around barefoot, stepping from an area rug onto hardwood flooring can be jarring, especially on a cold winter morning. Since carpet covers the entire floor, you won’t have to worry about having cold feet.
Health
Carpets can trap dirt, dust, pet dander and other allergens, as well as moisture, which can allow mold to form. In addition, new carpet releases chemicals in off-gassing, often for months after installation. Air can circulate through rug fibers, which makes rugs less likely than carpet to develop mold and mildew. Cleaning carpet can be difficult and expensive, while rugs are easy to clean.
These facts mean that area rugs are often a better choice than carpet for people with allergies. Rugs may also work better in a humid climate since they will trap less moisture and can be cleaned as needed.
Safety
Rugs can move, and people can trip on them, even if the rugs are slip resistant. That can make them dangerous for homes with senior citizens, young children, and people with limited mobility. Carpet has a pad underneath and is attached to the floor, which can prevent tripping. That can make carpet a safer option.
Which is Right for Your Family?
When choosing floor coverings, focus on more than how you want the rooms to look. Consider how you use your home and prioritize your family’s health and safety, versatility and costs.
