Hardwood vs carpet: which is better for your home?

Carpet

Warmer and quieter, safer for small kids, and less expensive to install. Needs regular vacuuming and professional cleaning.

Hardwood

Lasts longer and is easy to sweep, but is louder and colder, and can scratch and water-damage. Area rugs add comfort and need their own care.

Allergies

Hard floors don't hold allergens, but carpet traps them until vacuumed; either works if cleaned regularly.

Cleaning both the right way

Carpet needs regular vacuuming and professional hot water extraction. Hardwood needs dry dusting, a wood-safe cleaner and very little water; never steam-clean it. Area rugs on hardwood need a rug pad and their own cleaning schedule, and should be completely dry before going back on the wood.

Basements

Carpet in basements needs humidity control. Many homeowners choose carpet on bedrooms and stairs and hard floors in main living areas.

Around Long Island

Many split-levels and colonials in East Meadow, Syosset and Stony Brook mix carpet upstairs with hardwood below, which is the setup we clean most.