Carpet or laminate?

Dee140157

I know this is a minor question compared to the many serious ones that I have been devouring for information on this thread, but I thought I would ask experienced LLs anyway.

I am starting from scratch with a house at the moment with a view to renting out. Have taken all the serious advice on board so far but have now the question of what I put down on the floor. Am I best to laminate downstairs throughout as easier to clean? Just laminate in areas that are immediate entries to house (breakfast room with patio doors, porch and hallway?) and carpet large lounge diner. Or should I carpet throughout. Upstairs I will carpet (apart from bathroom). Kitchen will have a stone floor as part of new kitchen as I figured this would be least possible to damage.

teleadict1

carpets do look nice when first laid but harder to keep clean and proberly will need changing more than laminate which is easier to clean and more hardwaring, know what choice i would make!

janegresty

I would laminate the whole downstairs, but that is just my preferance. It's much easier to have a quick sweep and mop than to go round with the hoover daily. And carpets show wear and tear way to easily.
Also will you be allowing pet owners or children? As laminate is ideal for pet owners. But carpet may be better for children. But in saying that we have a baby on the way and moved in to our new rented property yesterday. The whole house is wooden flooring and so much easier (apart from the noise lol). But when babys here we will just put a big rug in living room! HTH.

glen8

Carpets FTW!!

Laminate just looks cheap and nasty...IMHO

janegresty

glen cheapo laminate flooring looks cheap and nasty lol. If you spend a decent amount on it and cover it with the correct polish or whatever you cover it with... then it looks good.

PasturesNew

Speaking as somebody experiencing laminate for the first time, it is a LOT easier to keep clean. There are no stains with laminate (unless you are exceedingly unfortunate and have a major accident). Carpet gathers dust and dirt and fluff and any spills will stain.

Laminate is noisier though and can be slippy with the wrong footwear. Also be aware that laminate could be damaged if somebody were wearing stiletto heels.

In my next house I own, I plan to put laminate down with rugs on top.

Laminate does need good underlay. And in my opinion, good rugs on top.

Imp

As a tenent, I won't rent somewhere with laminate - it's too easily damaged, such as high heals, furniture scratchs etc. Carpet is much nicer to live with. Anything spilt on it can be spot cleaned. It is quieter. etc.

ilovecheese

I would go with laminate, tennants can always use rugs to go over the top, it is much easier to clean, and it would be my preference.

pinkshoes

Imp wrote: »

As a tenent, I won't rent somewhere with laminate - it's too easily damaged, such as high heals, furniture scratchs etc. Carpet is much nicer to live with. Anything spilt on it can be spot cleaned. It is quieter. etc.

Depends on the carpet, but some are a nightmare to clean, and certain things spilt never come out!! Have never had a problem with laminate. Landlord should put fluffy feet on furniture!

I like laminate as it's less dusty, and I have asthma, so can't stand carpets unless they're those heavy duty non-fluffy non-dusty ones!

therealdelboy

I'd agree that laminate looks a bit tatty, and is a bit out of fashion now.

For reviews in terms of what you should be looking for, have a look here:
http://www.rugsinformation.co.uk/floorcost.html

abaxas

Laminate + water spill/leakage = huge weetabix style mess.

At least with carpet you can dry and attempt to clean it. Once your laminate is gubbed, it's game over.