When is Carpeting a Poor Choice? - A Guide for Homeowners

Bedrooms and playrooms are ideal for carpeting, as they offer more variety in terms of color, texture and feel. Family rooms, hallways, and staircases can also benefit from the use of carpets, but these high-traffic areas will experience greater carpet wear over time. However, carpets are a poor choice for damp areas, as they absorb moisture much more than hardwood floors. Mold can literally grow overnight on a wet carpet and is very difficult to get rid of, so it's best to avoid using rugs near bathrooms.

In addition, carpets can be a poor choice for people with allergies, as they can trap dust mites and other allergens. If you're not up to the task of steaming your carpets at least twice a month, it's probably best to replace the carpets with hardwood floors. Entrances and rooms with high traffic and clutter should not be carpeted either. You don't want to rent a carpet cleaner every week to remove stains from the kitchen carpet. Furthermore, 40% of the dirt accumulated on the carpet never leaves that carpet, no matter how many times it is vacuumed or washed with shampoo.

The synthetic fibers used in most modern carpets make them very resistant to water damage, but it is important to prevent water from leaking into the backing layer or onto the wooden subfloor under the carpet itself. On the upside, dense rugs with quality polyurethane padding attached to the bottom can generate an R value of 4 or more, which means that the warmth that rugs bring to a room is very real. The rug is spread on the floor, stretched and fixed around the perimeter by attaching the carpet to the adhesive strips. As an expert in home improvement and interior design, I recommend that homeowners consider all of these factors before deciding whether or not to install carpets in their homes. Carpeting can be a great choice for certain areas of your home, but it may not be suitable for other areas due to its susceptibility to water damage and its ability to trap allergens. It's important to weigh all of these factors before making a decision.