When faced with a decision of whether to install carpeting or hardwood flooring, doing a little math might be your best bet. It will clearly illustrate the average lifetime cost of each.
Cost of Carpeting
Over 50 years as a homeowner, today’s cost per 1,000 square feet for installation and new carpeting is $3,500-$4,500 on average depending on the quality of the carpeting and hourly installation fees.
Carpeting needs to be replaced every 7-10 years on average, if maintained correctly. Over the 50-year homeowner period, this equates to $17,500-$22,500.
It is recommended that carpeting is steam cleaned every 2-3 years to maintain it. That is $300-$500 every 2-3 years for 50 years which equals $4,800 – $8,000.
Now, in addition to the dollars, there are a few other factors to consider:
Carpeting does not increase the value of your home because it is considered a temporary fixture.
Dirt sifts through carpet fibers and gets trapped underneath where vacuum cleaners do not reach.
Carpet stains easily.
Carpet fibers are a petroleum derivative and off-gas for a minimum of 2-3 months.
Two million tons of carpeting end up in landfills every year, greatly adding to the congestion of landfills, moreover, carpeting takes 10-20 years to decompose. Those with Stain Guard take longer.
Total cost over the average person’s lifetime = $28,000 to $45,000.
Cost of Hardwood Flooring
Over the same 50-year period, per 1,000 square feet of hardwood flooring installation, sanding, and finishing cost $5,000-$7,000 on average, depending on the wood used, finish and location.
Glitsa® Swedish finish, floors need to be refinished every 10-12 years on average—if they are maintained correctly, this can be even longer. Refinishing costs $1,500 – $2,000 per every ten 10 years = $7,500-$10,000 over an average 50-year period as a homeowner.
Other considerations to weigh are:
Hardwood flooring never needs to be replaced.
It increases the value of your home because it is considered a permanent improvement.
It reduces allergens, asthma and sinus problems that can be aggravated by dirt trapped in carpeting.
Hardwood floors do not stain, spills are easy to clean up, and there is no permanent damage.
Finishes off-gas for only 1 week.
Rarely ends up in a landfill and if it does, it is 100% biodegradable, therefore, hardwood flooring does not contribute to the congestion of landfills.
Total cost over the average person’s lifetime = $12,000 to $18,000
DC Dave
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