Carpet or wood floors in Kansas City? The answer depends on the preferences of homeowners. Local real estate agents, flooring retailers, and homeowners have different opinions depending on whether they are looking for salability or lifestyle. Factors to consider include the timing of the replacement, lifestyle, pets, what is appropriate for your budget, and your home’s price point.
One point to consider: carpet is cheaper but may need replacing more often. hardwood flooring is not inexpensive and can cost between $9 and $12 per square foot, compared with about $3 to $5 per square foot for carpet. Some homeowners opt to install wood floors only in some rooms rather than throughout their home.
A look through home design shows and books and magazines seem to show hardwood more often, but don’t assume that carpeting is not current. Many real estate agents report that carpeting is still the top choice for many Kansas City residents.
Avoid extremely dark or light colors. Remember the wave of orange shag carpeting in the 1970s? To keep it current, opt instead for today’s popular gray and brown shades. You’ll find today’s carpeting extremely durable, and pet- and stain-resistant. You will probably replace the carpet for a change, not out of necessity.
You will see hardwoods in the traditional solid wood and in engineered wood. Engineered wood is a composite made of recycled or scrap wood and fibers bonded together and covered with a thin veneer of solid wood on the surface.
Engineered wood flooring has opened the door to a multitude of great wood flooring choices. Some of these choices, because of availability, have become very competitively priced. However, depending on the wood chosen, the flooring can also be quite expensive. (Add $5 to $12 a square foot for installation.)
All agents said wood floors are the No. 1 choice for living areas in most Kansas City neighborhoods where buyers expect character and charm.
Styl Properties has some thoughts about the choices:
For my home, between carpet or hardwood, I prefer hardwood with rugs to bring a softness and warmth a room. For a rental, I prefer carpet for its comfort and warmth and cost.
We buy and sell properties throughout the greater Kansas City area. We specialize in buying distressed homes, then renovating and reselling them to home buyers and landlords. Terra Firma Property Solutions: excited to be part of the economic rejuvenation of Kansas City and its surrounding areas.
Call us today at (816) 866.0566