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Hard floors versus carpets

(109 Posts)
yogagran Thu 19-Jun-14 14:54:01

Our living room and dining room carpets are looking decidedly tired and worn (just like me I expect!) and we are wondering whether to have some sort of hard flooring put down instead of carpets. I've always had carpets in these two rooms thinking that it was cosier and more comfortable. However - having spent a few days with friends where all their downstairs rooms are hard, this now seems a reasonable alternative.

What do other GNetters have?
Are you pleased with your choice and would you do the same again were you to have to renew?
How do dogs manage on hard surfaces, is it too slippery for them or is it easier to clean?

Help and advice please smile

GrandmaMoira Tue 29-Aug-17 11:11:44

I've recently replaced old scruffy flooring in most of my house. I wanted laminate/wood flooring downstairs but tradesmen charge a fortune to lay it and I don't have anyone to do it so I had carpet and love it. It's transformed the house and would now like to get rid of the old laminate in my bedroom though it's still in good condition.

mrsmopp Mon 04-Sept-17 17:23:57

We still have carpets because they are warmer and more comfortable. Also quieter, as we got rid of old carpet before the new one was fitted and there was a .lot of echoing.
I'm afraid hard floors remind me of when we first married
and rented a flat with wooden floorboards right through and they were draughty and noisy. But I realize that modern floors are a big improvement.
Just a thought, a friends husband has Parkinson's and is forever falling over, she was sorry she had got rid of her carpets as he'd have a softer landing and less likely to hurt himself.

Alima Mon 04-Sept-17 19:44:21

mrsmopp you have reminded me of a flat we lived in during the early 60s. All the rooms had painted wooden floorboards and a large carpet which covered most of it. Bring on fitted carpets.
We have just come home from a break in a holiday house. In the large living room there was wooden flooring, very good quality and no creaks. Although it looked lovely we all thought it would look better with a few rugs. I could never live with hard floors in the living room and bedrooms.

mrsmopp Mon 04-Sept-17 20:59:58

Bare floorboards in those days were a sign of poverty. There were gaps between the floor and the skirting boards and wind whistled through. We tried to fill the gaps with newspaper, and told each other that one day, oh luxury, we would have fitted carpets.
How times change, now everyone wants floorboards. If you told me that in 1965 I wouldn't believe you!!

harrymiles Fri 08-Mar-19 11:04:17

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Fennel Fri 08-Mar-19 12:10:20

It depends where you live, and if you have animals. I thought I'd written on this thread before but can't find it.
When we were living in France we had only tiles, downstairs, and pinewood upstairs.like Christine.
We had a few large mats at one time but had to burn them because of a flea infestation from our pets.
Our grandchildren used to feel sorry for us when they visited, no carpets no curtains, but otoh they could run in and out without worrying about mud etc.
Now in the uk where it's colder and no pets sad we have mostly fitted carpets downstais, laminate and mats in the bedrooms

Fennel Fri 08-Mar-19 12:12:24

ps just realised this is an old thread andharrymiles might be promoting something.

craftyone Sat 09-Mar-19 10:31:44

quickstep flooring for me, throughout. Well I am starting from scratch with a new build. It is lovely to walk on and I can use rugs. Easy care, easy clean and warm underfoot. Whats not to like