Floored by having to choose between carpeting and wood
When I first walk into the downstairs master bedroom of the house DC and I are buying, I say, as if stating something as obvious as fish need water: “We’d have to change the carpet in here to hardwood.”
“Why? The carpet isn’t bad,” DC says. I look at him as if he’s grown a trunk. The certainty that we needed to put wood floors in this room was as clear to me as the certainty that we didn’t need this extra expense was to him.
“The whole downstairs is wood,” I say.
“A lot of people carpet their bedrooms,” he says.
“The trick will be getting it to match,” I say, moving beyond the question of whether. I ask our agent, Wendy, if she can find out from the sellers who installed the wood floors originally.
See, in my perfect house, which does not exist, all floors except bathrooms and laundry rooms would be wood. I pine for wood floors because they’re classic, timeless, natural, durable, easy to clean, sustainable, renewable and go with everything.
I know. I can hear you carpet lovers shouting that carpet is cushy underfoot, comes in infinite colors and textures, buffers noise, is softer for kids to play on and costs a heck of a lot less than wood.
All true, and the cost difference is considerable. When you factor in labor and materials, wood floors cost two to four times more than carpet.
DC and I are not alone in this debate. Floor wars are being fought in homes across America, and the two sides are in a dead heat. While carpet used to be far more popular, it has lost ground (sorry) over the past 30 years to hardfloor coverings of all type. Today just 51 percent of floors in U.S. homes are carpeted, according to industry experts.
Wendy gets the name of the flooring company that installed our new home’s floors 13 years ago. I call, and am relieved to find not only that the company is still in business, but that the owner remembers the house.
Dave Erikstrup, owner of Specialty Floor Designs of Longwood, Florida, meets me at the new house for an estimate. He assures me he can match the original blond oak floors, and their natural finish. He also tells me “a lot more homeowners want wood in their master. I get about two calls a week from customers like you who want to swap out the carpet for wood.”
If you can’t afford wood throughout your home, or you don’t want to over-improve your house for the neighborhood, try having wood installed only in the family room and kitchen, and carpet secondary bedrooms and living rooms, he suggests.
Here are more reasons to fall for wood floors, in addition to what’s trending:
A NATURAL CONNECTION >> Wood floors provide an instant connection to nature.
ADDED CHARACTER >> Over time wood subtly changes color. Small scratches and nicks from high heels and pet claws add to its appeal.
TIMELESS STYLE >> Despite shifts in trends, wood floors work with every color, and can easily handle different decor styles. To change a wood floor’s look, change the area rug.
FUNCTION >> Wood floors work almost everywhere except damp areas. In bathrooms I like natural stone, such as limestone or travertine, and in mud and laundry rooms, I prefer tile.
LONGEVITY >> Hardwood floors can last hundreds of years with proper care and periodic refinishing. A top-quality carpet lasts about 10 to 15 years. So hardwood may prove more economical over time.
CLEANLINESS >> Hardwood’s smooth, solid surface makes the cleanup of spills, dust, pet hair, crumbs and debris easier. This dirt can cling to carpet fibers, aggravating allergies and making homes less hygienic.
SHADES OF GRAY >> Trending in today’s wood-floor market is gray flooring, from dark to light shades, Erikstrup says. Customers also want wider, longer planks — in flat, not gloss finishes. Light wood, or blond flooring is also popular, and dark walnut is always in style.
Contact Jameson via www.marnijameson.com.