Vinyl Flooring vs Carpet
4 min read
Inexpensive, comfortable, and fashionable, carpet has always been the go-to for both residential and commercial buildings. But with other flooring options increasing in popularity, it’s always good to consider your options. One of those options is LVP: Luxury Vinyl Planking. Both durable and stylish all while being much more affordable than traditional hardwood, LVP is a great floor to consider. Although carpet remains one of the cheapest options upfront, LVP has many great qualities that you may want to consider before you install anything.
With both floors having their own benefits, which should you choose?
Price of Installation
With a typical carpet installation, expect the carpet itself to cost around $1-$9 per square foot depending on quality, with up to $1-$4 per square foot in installation fees. With LVP, the material costs range from around $2-$10 per square foot, though most LVP won’t go near $10. Installation is also a bit more expensive with a range of $1-$6 per square foot, but this can be avoided by installing the material yourself, which is much more popular and easier to do with LVP.
There are also some costs which will be the same whether you choose LVP or carpet. Removal and disposal of your old flooring in addition to prepping the subfloor varies wildly depending on the type of flooring you currently have but expect around $3 per square foot total. This price can increase quite a bit if you have any water damage, ranging around $3 per square foot Underlayment is recommended for both materials, but with underlayment rarely going over $1 per square foot, it’s not much to worry about.
Overall, for the average installation, expect around $6-$15 per square foot in total fees for carpet and $6-$19 per square foot total for LVP. These costs increase by the same amount if you have a water-damaged subfloor, uniquely shaped floors, or stairs that require a lot of cuts, so we recommend getting an installation quote before purchasing any product. Although the range for LVP is slightly more expensive, most smaller projects end up within a similar price range. Large projects, especially commercial spaces, are mainly where you see the difference. Each LVP piece must be individually clicked together, while carpet can just be laid down in large pieces. If you’re planning to redo a large space and are worried about upfront costs, carpet is a great material for saving some money. Otherwise, there are some other costs you may want to consider before making a decision.
Maintenance Costs
After installation, it’s good to consider the maintenance cost and the lifespan of your floor. After all, if your flooring doesn’t last long, you’ll just end up paying more to replace it. LVP floors only require sweeping with a bit of chemical-based cleaning throughout the years. But for carpet, you’ll need multiple high-quality vacuums throughout the lifespan of your carpet, in addition to professional carpet cleaning every 6 months to a year. Otherwise, dirt, dust, and other debris can easily build up in your carpet. Not only will this make the carpet less comfortable, but a dirty carpet is also terrible for respiratory health. Since carpet will cost more throughout the years, LVP might be a worthwhile investment.
The last cost to consider between the two floors is the cost of replacing damaged areas. When buying any floor product, it’s recommended to buy a bit extra to keep around in case any visible areas get damaged. Those damaged areas can then be swapped with fresh pieces, saving you the trouble of replacing the entire floor. Both LVP and carpet spot treatment are usually around the same place at a few
Long Term Durability
As mentioned above, ease of maintenance is where LVP shines. LVP is durable and easy to maintain, with most people never having to replace LVP flooring due to damage. With a thicker wear layer, the planks can withstand significant scratching and blunt force. In addition, most LVP products are 100% waterproof, meaning there are no worries of staining or water damage. LVP is also super easy to clean, requiring only basic sweeping and the occasional moping. LVP floors are great for homes with kids or pets but can also be a wonderful way to make your commercial space stand out.
As opposed to LVP, carpet can clump, stain, tear, wear, and hold on to dirt and dust. Even with frequent vacuuming (and the occasional heavy-duty cleaning), carpet will not retain its quality for as long as LVP. If you buy a shorter carpet, also known as a low-pile carpet, these issues won’t be as extreme. However, what you get in durability you lose in comfort. Carpet is still a fantastic option, but if you want a low-maintenance floor, stick to LVP.
Day-to-Day Comfort
Unless we’re talking about the cheapest possible carpets, it’s a guarantee that carpet will always be more comfortable than LVP. Although high-quality LVP can be soft when compared to other hard flooring options (especially with a good underlayment underneath it) it will never come close to a quality carpet. Carpet is also much warmer and eliminates that cold-to-the-touch feeling that some hard floors like LVP can have. One last additional benefit that most people don’t talk about is that carpet will hide dirt and debris a lot better than LVP. Although carpet must be cleaned more often, if you don’t like feeling crumbs in between cleaning then carpet helps with that.
Although we already established carpet as the go-to for comfort, LVP does have some good traits. It has a slight insulation bonus, making it good for soundproofing and temperature control. LVP also has a wide range of textures, so for those who like a specific feeling underfoot there’ll always be a good fit. A high-end underlayment can also add to the softness of an LVP floor, which helps to justify getting an LVP floor for more than just its durability.
Which is Right for You?
With carpet and luxury vinyl planking having massive differences, it makes it easier to pick the exact fit for your space. Carpet is a tried-and-true classic, with many different style options and a comfortable feel. On the other hand, luxury vinyl planks are strong, durable, and waterproof, in addition to having a wide range of colors, textures, and designs. We recommend choosing products for each area of installation individually, as both products perform their best in different areas. For example, LVP is great in kitchens, laundry rooms, hallways, bathrooms, and entryways, where durability and functionality are more important than comfort. However, bedrooms, living rooms, play areas, and any commercial seating/waiting area all benefit from the additional comfort that carpet provides.
Overall, if you must pick one floor to install in every single room in a building, we highly recommend LVP. The initial higher cost is easily made up for by the longer lifespan that LVP comes with. Carpets won’t last in high-moisture environments such as kitchens and laundry rooms. But if you’re installing in a commercial space or are only replacing the floor in a few rooms, we recommend choosing whichever product fits the best in the most space you’re installing in.