There’s no denying that hard flooring, particularly wood and LVT, has seen an impressive popularity boost throughout the past years. At the same time, carpeting has never truly lost its footing — and it seems to be making a comeback in its own right as employees crave “resimercial” spaces with a comfortable atmosphere.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each option to evaluate how to pick between hard flooring and carpeting in your next office space design.
Cost: Carpet is generally cheaper
Carpet is a better budget option — especially when you consider that investing in hard-surface flooring means you’ll also need to purchase a handful of rugs to soften the space.
On average, carpet costs between $1 and $3 per square foot, while LVT costs between $2 and $5 and hardwood between $6 and $22. Depending on the size of your workplace, those differences can make a big impact on your project’s bottom line.
Comfort: Carpet is softer to stand on
If your workers spend a lot of time standing — or you simply want to create a home-like environment keeping with the latest trends — carpet might be the right choice. The soft spring is easier on your employees’ joints and doesn’t feel industrial like hard-surface floors can.
Noise: Carpet absorbs and softens noise
When it comes to acoustics, carpet wins out over hard flooring. While hard-surface options like tile, LVT, and wood reflect noise (often creating distracting echoes), carpet actually absorbs innocuous sounds like footsteps and dropped objects.
In fact, bare tile floors produce around ten times as much surface noise as their carpeted counterparts. This can make a big impact in an open-concept office space!
Flexibility: Hard floors are more versatile
When you commit to carpet in your office space design, there’s no going back. Opting for a hard-surface floor, though, offers greater design flexibility down the line. You can always switch out area rugs to change the atmosphere — and if you change your mind about what type of flooring you want, it’s easier to start with a hard surface than go through the labor of tearing up your old carpet.
Durability: Hard surface floors last longer
When properly maintained, hard-surface floors can last for decades even in high-traffic environments. This is a clear benefit over carpet, which generally has to be replaced every few years due to inevitable staining, uneven traffic patterns, and natural wear.
Insulation: Carpets better retain heat
Carpet fibers act as natural insulators, which means they help retain a space’s heat better than a hard-surface floor can. As corporate environments seek to reap the benefits of natural lighting with large windows that can inadvertently increase heating costs, carpet’s insulation boost is something to consider.
Luxury: Hard floors are considered more prestigious
When it comes to prestige, hard-surface floors still wear the crown. They’ve long been sought after for commanding respect, both because of their greater cost and more refined finish in comparison to carpet options. A sleek floor is a great way to set the stage for an elegant space.
Cleaning: Hard floors are easier to clean
Workplaces are far from sterile. Every day, employees have countless opportunities to accidentally stain carpeted floors, from spilling coffee to tracking in outside mud. While blemishes quickly settle into carpet, becoming almost impossible to remove, hard-surface floors are easy to wipe clean.
Safety: Carpet is less slippery
People are less likely to slip on a carpeted floor than on tile or hardwood — and if someone does take a trip, a soft surface can prevent injury by cushioning the blow. Hard flooring, on the other hand, is notorious for causing workplace falls.
Whatever you decide, choose a quality option
At the end of the day, there are significant benefits to both full carpeting and hard flooring in an office space. The decision depends on each company’s unique priorities — but regardless of the direction you take your next workplace design, quality materials are key to great results.
The flooring experts at Endless Knot are here to help. We provide broadloom carpet and a variety of custom and ready-to-ship rugs perfect for covering hard floors. Drop us a line to learn more from one of our representatives today!
