Hardwood Vs Carpet For Mold

From hardwood to friendly engineered planks stone cork and even retro linoleum our columnist explores the healthiest flooring choices.

Hardwood vs carpet for mold.

It won t give you the same warmth as carpet but it will create a more polished and defined finish for the room. Hardwood and laminate just won t give the same warmth that carpet has to offer especially in those basement bedrooms or playrooms. Hardwood can be found in wide or thin planks installed in straight rows or a herringbone pattern and can range in color from pale to nearly black. While carpet fibers are immune to water damage the backing fabric can foster mold and mildew.

Hardwood flooring is typically more expensive than carpet because it is considered the more luxurious and prestigious option. This is one of the first questions that comes up when choosing between carpet or hardwood floors. With many different options and styles there is a carpet style suited for any budget. Many times carpeting can be pulled up and dried.

Carpet can be a more budget friendly option for the basement as well. Both materials can be scorched or burned by cigarettes. Here s a look at each of these factors and how they compare when installing hardwood vs carpet floors 1 cost difference for carpet vs hardwood. Laminate the cost to install laminate flooring averages 2 750 compared to hardwood s average of 4 400 and carpet s average of 1 600.

Mold has no appetite for these materials mold however will eat contaminants in carpet so if a carpet is damaged water damage sewage etc and not remediated properly mold can grow on it. Neither carpet nor hardwood flooring are recommended for damp or constantly humid conditions such as bathrooms for basement slabs. Hardwood can easily be damaged by water. Carpet on the other hand is much cheaper and has the same variety of options.

The simple answer is that carpet is much cheaper to install per square foot than hardwood floors. It s softer so it can get scratched. Mold does not use carpet as a food source. Another favorite of freed s is cork a natural product that s waterproof dust and mold resistant warm and soft underfoot and a wonderful sound absorber.

Laminate is more diy friendly and moisture resistant than both wood and carpet. In the event of a small water event carpet can most likely be saved if it is dried quickly before mold or mildew develop. The reason for this is that the different types of wood and stains allow for a variety of options for appearances.