Wood flooring advantage greatest advantage is that it provides old world charm and is typically valued more when it comes to resale of the house. Because there are also many different types of wood flooring materials to choose from it makes a decision difficult. Wood flooring versus carpeting is typically easier to keep clean and there is less dust to contend with. Wood flooring has always been the preferred choice for people with airborne allergies.

Wood flooring is commonly installed by the house construction, however moderately skilled DIY homeowners can install wood flooring themselves. It may be a backbreaking task but the newer snap and click prefinished hardwood flooring is much easier to install than the older types of wood flooring.  

A wood floor installation does costs more than carpeting and it can also be colder on your feet. This can be remedied by placing large throw carpets over the wood floors although it adds to the overall cost of the finished floors.

Wood flooring is also susceptible to scratches, and consequently wood floors need to be refinished approximately every 10 years. But when the wood flooring is refinished it has the appearance of looking like new. Carpeting has to taken out and replaced approximately every 10 years. In this respect wood flooring turns out to be much cheaper because refinishing wood floors is much less expensive that replacing carpeting.  

Carpet flooring advantages is that it is readily available in a wide assortment of patterns and styles. Carpeting is typically less expensive from both a materials and labor installation cost but wood flooring will last a life time where carpeting will have to be replaced approximately every ten years.

Carpeting can warm up a room, and help to muffle sounds. Large rooms with cathedral ceilings with a wood floor installation can sound like an echo chamber.

Carpeting, unlike wood flooring, is highly susceptible to staining and they easily retain dust and can harbor dust mites.

Carpeting wears out after 7 to 10 years, depending upon the quality of the carpet and the padding underneath. Unlike wood flooring, carpeting can’t be refinished. It simply needs to be replaced. Over the long run, this can make carpet flooring a more expensive flooring option. Installing carpet flooring requires a carpet installation professional because there are some unique skills and tools required that most homeowners do not possess.