Carpets or tiles: Which is better for your Dubai home?

That’s a good question. Will tiles look good in your home or will a carpet or two make more of an impact? Whether you are looking at apartments for sale in Dubai Sports City or are planning to buy an apartment in Downtown Dubai, your choice of flooring is just as important as the décor. But should you go for carpets or tiles in your Dubai home? In the game of carpets vs tiles, it’s a good idea to consider the benefits and downsides of each choice before you commit.

Carpets cost money, and as a new homeowner, you probably don’t want to regret buying one type only to realize that you don’t like it later on.

To make your choice easier, here are some pros and cons of choosing carpets vs tiles in Dubai. 

Carpets vs tiles: Benefits of Carpets

Lavish and warm, carpets are a good addition to any home. Here are other advantages of carpets that you should be aware of:

1. Added Comfort and Safety

Carpets are easy on the feet. It feels nice to walk, lay and sit on them. A thick carpet acts as an excellent shock absorber and a reprieve for tired feet. Additionally, carpeted surfaces provide a safe environment to family members like toddlers who are starting to take their first steps or elderly members who need assistance while walking.

2. Points for Style

There is no doubt about it, carpets add a stylish touch to any décor. Shops in Dubai offer a plethora of colors, fabrics and designs to choose from. So, whether you are going for a contemporary look or a darker ambiance for your home décor, you are bound to find carpets that complement your unique style.

3. Peace and Quiet

One of the many advantages of carpets is silence. You have probably noticed how your footsteps go quiet when you enter a carpeted area. This is because, as opposed to hard floors, cloth-based flooring absorbs sound. The result? A peaceful and more tranquil home.

4. Costs Less

A carpeted floor is cheap on your budget and easy to maintain. Additionally, if a carpet becomes unsalvageable after constant wear, replacing it will be easier and less costly than changing all the tiles in the house.

Carpets vs tiles: The Cons of using carpets

With the pros, come the cons. No matter how comfortable or stylish carpeted flooring is, there are a few downsides to consider too. Here are the most common:

1. May Trigger Allergies

Carpets trap dust. The more you walk on them, the more dust goes up in the air — a nightmare for homeowners prone to allergies. Plus, some dust particles tend to stay trapped no matter how frequently you vacuum. Since sandstorms can be common during certain seasons in Dubai, having carpeted floors may result in more dust being trapped in your home. 

2. Lower Longevity

Brand new carpets look fluffy and welcoming. But they tend to get matted and crushed because of frequent footfall. Plus, wall to wall carpeting often starts fraying or curling up at the edges leading to accidental trips and giving an overall unkempt look to a living area.

3. Stains

All carpets stain, no matter how diligently you shampoo them. A nightmare to clean after parties, even stain-proof carpets tend to get soiled — especially in areas where there is constant spillage or wear on the fibers.

4. May be too Warm

Carpeted flooring adds to the warmth and can make a space too uncomfortable during warmer months. And summers can be pretty sweltering in Dubai. In fact, that’s why families prefer spending their weekends in places that offer unique indoor summer activities during times like these.

Carpets vs tiles: Benefits of using tiles for your Dubai home

From cement and granite to marble and limestone — you will never come short of choice of tile options for the décor you are going for. Other benefits for this particular type of flooring are as follows

1. Low Maintenance and Stain Proof

Tiles are easy to maintain A tiled floor remains spotless because it doesn’t stain. Ceramic tiles, for example, come with glazed protective layers that make them impervious to stain penetration and water damage. The result? A worry-free-you during cocktail parties at your pad. The durability is also worth noting. Other than applying a sealant to your tiled flooring after every few years, you won’t have to see much to its upkeep.

2. Up on the Resale

If you plan to put your home on the market in the future, tiled flooring can prove to be a smart investment strategy. This is one of the many advantages of tiles. A lot of homeowners opt for tiling to increase their homes’ market value. An attractive marble or mosaic tiled floor can add several dirhams to your property on the resale.

3. Eco-Friendly

Tiles don’t trap dirt or any other allergens that can cause you to sneeze up a storm. Consider porcelain tiles as an example. Not only do they look aesthetically pleasing, but they also can’t retain harmful irritants like dander, pollen or dust mites.

4. Aesthetically Pleasing

Speaking of aesthetics, tiled floors and walls leave a lasting first impression on visitors. Tiles come in an incredible range of colors, styles, textures and designs to suit a variety of tastes. 

The Cons

Tiles make a living area look splendid, increase your home’s value and are easy to maintain. However, they aren’t to everyone’s tastes. Here are some drawbacks you might want to consider:

1. No Shock Absorbency

Have you ever noticed that your feet start to ache when you walk too long on a hard surface? Tiles surfaces are just that, hard. They offer no cushioning underfoot so as you step onto them, the shock is absorbed by your body rather than the floor.

2. Heavy Weight

Tiles might be pleasing to the eye but think twice about adding them as upper storey installations. This type of flooring, especially the granite and cement variety, is heavy. Keep in mind, tile needs a strong and stiff floor to prevent cracking. So, make sure that you have a qualified professional check the integrity of the structure before you even think about adding stress to your floors.

3. Costly and Tricky Installation

One of the disadvantages of tiles is that they are labor intensive — plus they are also tricky to install. As a result, they may be a costly option for homeowners. The type of flooring you currently have may or may not add to the cost as well. For example, wooden subfloors will need to have a tile backer or cement board added to accommodate tiles — adding cost, time and labour to the project.

4. Slippery Surface

Tiles are slippery. Cleaning solutions and accidental spills make them more slippery. In other words, since tiled flooring does not absorb water, it tends to stay wet for longer. So, it might not be safe for say, a feisty toddler.

That’s all about our post on carpets vs tiles. Flooring is an important element in establishing the aesthetic of any home. You may want to consider the pros and cons of tiles or carpets before you commit to any one. Once you are done with your floors, check out the latest trends in wall art décor or décor ideas for your entryway for more inspiration.