Is affordability the only advantage of wall-to-wall carpets? What benefits do they offer compared to area rugs? How are they installed, and which surfaces are suitable for carpet installation?
Wall-to-wall carpeting is a popular floor covering, especially in offices and commercial spaces, though it’s also a common choice for homes. Alongside its affordability, carpeting offers several benefits in residential spaces compared to other types of flooring.
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One of the key advantages over hardwood, laminate, or tile flooring is comfort. Wall-to-wall carpet is a great choice for children’s rooms since it’s soft, comfortable, and provides good insulation, making it pleasant to walk on barefoot. In this regard, carpeting offers similar comfort to area rugs, but it covers the entire floor from wall to wall. While it may not achieve the same level of luxury and style as a high-end area rug over hardwood floors, carpeting is often in a much more affordable price range.
For children’s rooms, wall-to-wall carpet has many benefits. First, kids often play on the floor, and carpet is warmer and softer than hardwood or laminate. It also reduces noise from toys dropping or feet running, which can be beneficial if you live in a multi-level home or an apartment with neighbors below. Carpeted rooms can even slightly reduce heating costs due to their insulating properties.
When buying carpeting, it’s wise to purchase from a reputable dealer who offers quality products. While carpet is generally an affordable flooring choice, investing in a higher-quality product is worthwhile. Higher-quality carpets are often flame-retardant and colorfast. If a spill occurs, a quality carpet is less likely to stain or change color, which can be a common issue with cheaper options. Be sure to ask the dealer about all the product’s features, including wear resistance and fire rating.
Another advantage of wall-to-wall carpet over area rugs is that it fully covers the floor, making it a quick and budget-friendly solution to hide imperfections like scratched hardwood, worn-out laminate, or even well-prepared concrete subfloors. For these quick makeovers, a thinner carpet may not require modifications such as raising or trimming doors, making it an easy installation option.
In commercial spaces, carpet tiles (typically 20 x 20 inches) are often used, while homes more commonly use carpet rolls. Rolls can be 12 feet wide or wider, allowing most rooms to be covered seamlessly in one section. This improves the quality since there are no joins. As with most home improvement projects, the best results come from hiring professionals to install the carpet.
Carpet is typically installed by gluing it down to the subfloor. In smaller rooms, installation can sometimes be done without full adhesive by using double-sided tape along edges. However, this method is not recommended for offices or areas where rolling chairs are used.
When purchasing carpet, many retailers offer cutting and installation services. Make sure the subfloor is properly prepared, determine who will install the baseboards, and check if there are additional steps you need to take. Additionally, if you’re renovating other parts of the space, carpet installation should be the last step. It doesn’t make sense to paint or work on radiators and pipes after the carpet is laid.