Carpet Vs. Laminate Flooring Prices

Carpet First Costs

• In 2011, the average national cost to install carpet, including materials, labor and accessories, averages $1.14 to $1.51 per square foot. Carpet manufacturing methods are flocked, fusion-bonded, knitted, needle-punched or woven. Carpet fibers include acrylic, nylon, polyester, polypropylene olefin and wool. Primary pile types are cut, loop, patterned loop and cut and loop. Familiar textures include frieze, level-loop pile, plush, random shear, sculptured, Saxony and Berber. Depending on the consumer's choice of construction, fiber, style and quality as well as local material and installation costs and job complexity, actual price can range from 50 cents to $18 per square foot.

Laminate First Costs

• As of 2011, the average national cost to install laminate flooring, based on the same criteria as carpet, averaged $2.49 to $3.32 per square foot. Laminates are made of four layers, including a moisture-resistant backing, fiberboard core that is bonded to a printed image covered by a top wear coat. Laminates come in planks, wide boards and square tiles simulating many surfaces and textures. Common patterns are wood, stone, ceramic and prints. They are durable and water resistant but hard and thin. Installers place foam underlayment beneath laminate for comfort, noise absorption and insulation. Laminates range from $2 to $18 per square foot, depending on brand, style, construction quality, thickness, wear rating and warranty.

Carpet Life Cycle Costs

• Maintenance, repair and replacement are the primary life cycle cost factors. Standard carpet lasts around five years. Maintenance includes regular vacuuming, spot treating and steam cleaning. Industry experts recommend carpet cleaning every 12 to 18 months. In 2011, the national average for carpet cleaning was 30 cents per square foot. The typical home spends $43 a year to clean carpets. Well-maintained, high-quality carpets last up to 15 years. Damaged wall-to-wall carpets are costly to repair while carpet tiles are easily replaced. To minimize the high price of harmful health and environmental impacts, manufacturers offer low volatile organic compound(VOC)-emitting carpets with high recycled content.

Laminate Lifecycle Costs

• Laminates are highly durable and easy to clean. Regular maintenance consists of sweeping, damp mopping or buffing. Laminates do not need waxes or finishes. They resist staining, scratching, denting, warping, tearing and fading. Laminate's fiberboard layer is susceptible to moisture damage, and, therefore, manufacturers recommend not using it in high-moisture areas like bathrooms. Repair can be difficult and costly, but, if well maintained, laminates last up to 30 years. Laminates are low-VOC emitters, high in recycled content, and usually installed without chemical adhesives. High-quality flooring minimizes long-term expenses, so choose the best flooring affordable.