The average range to remove carpet costs $120 to $720. Contractors base carpet removal costs on square footage, home location, and installation type.
7 Flooring Alternatives to Carpet That Will Elevate Your Home
Go beyond the rug and transform your space
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Carpet alternatives for flooring include hardwood, vinyl, laminate, ceramic tile, concrete, natural stone, and cork, each offering unique benefits for your home.
Hardwood and natural stone flooring are the most expensive options, while vinyl and laminate provide budget-friendly alternatives with similar visual appeal for your space.
Professional installation is recommended for most flooring materials, though vinyl and laminate are easier to install yourself if you prefer a DIY approach.
Hiring a local flooring company provides reliable guidance on material selection and professional installation, ensuring your new floors fit your style, budget, and lifestyle perfectly.
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Are you getting tired of that drab old carpeting? Choosing the right type of flooring for your home is a crucial decision that impacts not only the aesthetics but also the comfort and functionality of your living space. While carpet is a traditional choice, there are a ton of flooring alternatives to carpet that offer unique advantages. Whether you're seeking elegance, durability, or ease of maintenance, exploring your options here and getting advice from a local pro can transform your home.
1. Hardwood Floors
Photo: Westend61 / Westend61 / Getty Images
Hardwood floors exude timeless elegance and sophistication. Their luxurious appearance adds a touch of refinement to any room, from living areas to bedrooms. Unlike carpet, hardwood floors are easy to clean and maintain, and they contribute to better indoor air quality by minimizing dust and allergens.
However, solid hardwood can be a pricier investment, and it lacks the soundproofing qualities of carpet. Ideal for those seeking a luxurious transformation, hardwood floors are best suited for spaces that don’t see a ton of moisture.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Luxurious appearance | High initial cost |
| Easy maintenance | Less soundproof |
| Increased home value | Less comfortable |
Best for: Those looking for a luxurious transformation in spaces like the living room, dining room, or bedroom
2. Vinyl
Photo: Leo Malsam / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Vinyl is a cost-effective alternative to solid wood that replicates wood’s appearance while providing added durability and waterproofing. Vinyl flooring is easy to maintain and resistant to stains, so it’s suitable for high-moisture areas like kitchens and bathrooms. However, this alternative to carpet flooring may not enhance your home's value as much as hardwood, and it's not the most eco-friendly flooring option.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| More affordable | Less eco-friendly |
| Durable and waterproof | Shorter life span |
| Easy to maintain | Lower ROI |
Best for: Those seeking an affordable but luxurious update in spaces like the living room, dining room, kitchen, or bathroom
3. Laminate
Photo: KatarzynaBialasiewicz / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Laminate flooring combines affordability and sustainability with the aesthetic appeal of wood, making it a popular inexpensive flooring choice. It's durable, easy to maintain, and more eco-friendly than vinyl. Laminate doesn't, however, offer as much increase in home value as solid hardwood, and it's more susceptible to moisture damage than vinyl.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Lower ROI |
| Eco-friendly | Susceptible to moisture |
| Durable | Shorter life span |
Best for: Areas that aren't prone to moisture, like living rooms, bedrooms, and home offices
4. Ceramic Tiles
Photo: KatarzynaBialasiewicz / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Prized for its hygienic properties, ceramic flooring is perfect for kitchens and bathrooms since it doesn't harbor bacteria and is easy to clean and disinfect. It’s also highly durable and available in a variety of patterns and colors. This makes ceramic versatile and suitable for areas prone to spills and moisture. One drawback is that it can feel cold and hard underfoot, making this type of flooring less comfortable to stand on.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Hygienic | Cold to touch |
| Highly durable | Hard underfoot |
| Versatile |
Best for: Bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms
5. Concrete
Photo: skynesher / E+ / Getty Images
Concrete flooring offers a minimalist, industrial aesthetic and exceptional durability. It’s also low maintenance and fits seamlessly into modern homes. Plus, it’s resistant to fire, scratches, and stains when properly sealed.
Much like ceramic tile flooring, however, concrete can feel cold and hard when walked on, and it may be susceptible to cracks over time. This isn’t a DIY-friendly flooring option, either, so you’ll need to contact a local flooring company if you want concrete. Ideal for modern kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, concrete flooring adds a contemporary edge to any space.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly durable | Cold to touch |
| Low maintenance | Hard underfoot |
| Modern aesthetic | Possible cracks |
Best for: Modern kitchens, bathrooms, and basements
6. Natural Stone
Photo: JodiJacobson / E+ / Getty Images
Boasting unparalleled durability and a timeless aesthetic, natural stone floors are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Stone is also an excellent choice for allergy sufferers. One of the most significant drawbacks, though, is that natural stone comes with a higher price tag. It can also be slippery when wet and is extremely hard. This means that it’s less comfortable to walk or stand on, and any falls that occur on the flooring can be more dangerous.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly durable | Slippery when wet |
| Can use indoors and outdoors | Hard underfoot |
| Timeless aesthetic | High cost |
Best for: Elegant bathrooms, modern kitchens, laundry rooms, and patios
7. Cork
Photo: OlgaKhorkova / Adobe Stock
Cork flooring is a great choice for many different rooms in your home since it’s eco-friendly and comfy underfoot. It’s resistant to fire, mold, mildew, and termites, and it's excellent for allergy sufferers and green-living enthusiasts. Cork also has thermal insulation properties, making it warm and cozy even when you’re barefoot. As far as alternatives to carpet flooring go, cork may show wear faster than other flooring materials, especially in high-moisture or sunlight-exposed areas.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Eco-friendly | Moisture-sensitive |
| Comfortable | Sensitive to sunlight |
| Resists fire, mold, and mildew | Wears faster |
Best for: Kids' rooms, bedrooms, and hallways
Frequently Asked Questions
Flooring services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.4★ avg. • 41 total reviews
- Sarah E.
Joseph did a great job with the staircase and trim. Timely and efficient, clear communication about the work, very fair pricing. For the stairs in particular, done very skillfully in an old house (1893) in a tight spiral, and very creative with how to do the handrail. Did a nice job with...
Vouis Trim Carpentry L.L.C. - Jena P.
This company does it right. Firstly, I want to say that Landan was a joy to work with. He was so kind, transparent, and had everything under control. His entire team showed up ready to work and they were all very respectful of the fact that we were in an office space. A little backstory – we...
Krumlauf Floors - Gina M.
Finished Basements Plus was wonderful from beginning to end! First, they came out quickly for an estimate. I had 4 estimates and theirs was by far the best. (2 of the estimates were more than $20K higher than for the exact same work). Beyond their fair pricing, the work was excellent. They...
Finished Basements Plus Inc. - Jeanann S.
Very professional, knowledgeable and helpful! Completed the install on time and as expected.
Ward's Services - Adam E.
Cole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLC - Grace G.
Excellent, Prompt, Courteous Service!!! They were super friendly and quite personable. I felt very comfortable with the gentlemen that did the installation. They installed it exactly where I asked them to and they did an excellent job!! I loved their service so much.
Tether House - David E.
Window Depot did an amazing job installing the windows in my basement! The process from start to finish was by far more than what I expected. I would highly recommend Window Depot if you want professionalism from the the consultation to the installation. Dont settle for mediocre when you can...
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio - Tom B.
AFS was excellent from start to finish. Jess, the sales associate, was fantastic...very knowledgeable and very professional. The installation crew was excellent. I couldn't be more pleased with the process. Best of all, my new floor looks fantastic!
America's Floor Source - Bob T.
We were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTile - Jake H.
Did an amazing job transforming my yard. Also installed sod in places, would recommend to everyone.
Cardinal Landscaping & Construction LLC
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