When designing interiors, the choice of floor covering plays a fundamental role. The focus is not only on aesthetic aspects. Both carpet and laminate offer a diverse range of design options, which offer the opportunity to shape the individual character and atmosphere of a room. But beyond pure visual aesthetics, deciding between the two floor coverings requires an in-depth analysis of various factors. These can have far-reaching practical implications.
Taking into account aspects such as cleaning effort, impact noise, area of use and allergy-friendliness is crucial to making an informed choice. It is tempting to be guided by the variety of colors and patterns alone. However, an informed decision requires a deeper understanding of the specific properties and benefits of both floor coverings.
Cleaning properties
Both carpet and laminate floors have specific advantages and disadvantages when it comes to cleaning. A special feature of carpets is their ability to effectively remove deep-rooted dirt. The intensive cleaning option with detergents not only removes surface dirt, but also thoroughly combats stubborn stains such as red wine, sauce or juice.
In contrast, laminate floors lack options for deep cleaning. However, this limitation is offset by the ease of use when cleaning liquids. Simply wiping can remove liquids before they even penetrate the surface of the laminate.
Impact noise and sound insulation
When it comes to impact sound and sound insulation, there are clear differences between carpets and laminate floors: Due to their soft and dampening structure, carpets offer natural sound insulation Impact noise effectively reduced and thus ensures quieter acoustics indoors. This feature is particularly advantageous in apartment buildings or office environments to minimize the transmission of noise between floors or rooms.
In contrast, laminate floors have less natural sound insulation because they have a hard and less absorbent surface. This can lead to increased noise transmission, especially in rooms with high traffic or in buildings with thin walls. However, this effect can be reduced by using sound insulation underlays or special laminate floors with integrated sound insulation.
Special case: sound and stairs
When it comes to impact noise and sound insulation, there is a special case to consider: stair coverings and their role in stair renovation. Here, owners are often advised to choose a carpet covering. This is because carpets not only absorb impact sound, but also provide additional safety. The textile surfaces are non-slip, which prevents slipping. When renovating, carpets can also be a cost-effective solution to renovate an existing staircase while improving sound insulation.
Laminate, on the other hand, often requires additional sound insulation measures when renovating stairs in order to achieve impact sound benefits similar to those of carpets. These can take the form of special sound insulation pads or the use of sound insulation panels.
Overall, there are more steps to take here than when choosing carpet. Nevertheless, laminate flooring can be an attractive option when renovating to create a modern aesthetic and improve the longevity of the stairs. Owners can online Make an individual request for staircase renovationwhere you can get further information from experts about the advantages and disadvantages of the coverings.
Use in wet rooms and kitchens
Use in wet rooms and kitchens is an important aspect when selecting carpets and laminates. Carpets are generally not suitable for wet rooms such as bathrooms or kitchens as they absorb moisture and promote the formation of mold. This is due to their porosity:
Porosity is a dimensionless measurement and represents the ratio of cavity volume to the total volume of a substance or mixture of substances. It serves as a classifying measure for the cavities that are actually present. In carpets, the porous structure allows liquids to be absorbed, thereby retaining moisture in the material and encouraging the formation of mold.
In contrast, laminate floors have a less porous surface, which absorbs moisture less easily and is therefore less susceptible to mold growth. Most laminate floors are therefore considered moisture-resistant and easier to clean.
However, it is important to note that excessive contact with water, such as a leak or flood, can also damage laminate floors. For this reason, it is advisable to consider additional measures such as the use of waterproof sealants or special laminate flooring in wet rooms and kitchens. This ensures the longevity of the floor covering.
Allergy friendly
Allergy-friendliness is a crucial aspect when choosing between carpet and smooth, hard floor coverings. A study by the German Asthma and Allergy Association (DAAB) underlines the advantages of carpets for allergy sufferers:
Carpets bind fine dust more effectively, meaning it cannot circulate through the room air as easily. This reduces the risk of allergy symptoms and contributes to a more pleasant indoor climate. The study shows that The fine dust concentration is twice as high indoors with smooth floors is like in rooms with carpeted floors. The fine dust pollution in apartments with carpets is well below the limit of 50 µg/m³, while it exceeds this value in rooms with smooth floors.
House dust mites find less than ideal conditions to survive on carpets. Unlike smooth floors, carpets provide less heat and moisture, which inhibits the growth of mites. As a result, allergy sufferers can often experience less discomfort in carpeted environments and enjoy an improved quality of life.
May 16, 2024