When it comes to purchasing a house by the beach, there are many different factors and features that you would want to consider. One of the features that you may notice is missing from many beach homes or properties that are near the coast is carpet flooring. While carpeting was once seen as a luxurious item within real estate, when it comes to homes that are closer to the coast, carpet is often seen as a nuisance. The reason for this is simple, carpet tends to trap dirt and thus also traps sand.
While sand being trapped in the carpet is the first red flag when it comes to flooring options in a coastal area such as Sunset Beach, there are many other reasons that you may choose to steer clear of listings that have carpeting or instead, find yourself replacing the flooring to hard floors prior to moving in.
Top Reasons to Choose Hard Flooring Instead of Carpet in Your Coastal Home
Moisture and humidity: When it comes to beach environments or coastal towns, they are often known for having higher than average humidity levels. Because of this, the air contains more moisture than other areas that are further inland or boast a desert climate and because of this moisture, having carpet within your beach home can often lead to mold or mildew growth, which in addition to causing potential health issues, can also cause damage to the flooring which will inadvertently require pre-mature replacement.- Cleaning and upkeep: If you’ve ever owned carpet before, then you know that when it comes time to clean the flooring it is quite a laborious journey. In addition to vacuuming regularly, you will also want to shampoo your carpets at least twice a year. However, when it comes to a coastal environment, you’ll find yourself shampooing your carpets far more often to try to keep them looking their best. This constant shampooing, while good for keeping your carpets clean, does cause additional wear and tear on your flooring which can cause the lifespan to be far less than you had originally planned. By installing hard floors you will be able to clean your flooring not only more frequently but much easier, which is a top reason many buyers search for homes that have hard flooring such as original hardwoods, vinyl, or tile already installed prior to placing an offer on the property.
- Durability: It’s no secret that when it comes to carpeting, especially when in high traffic areas, your carpet tends to wear out much faster than hard flooring would. While this is a general rule of thumb when it comes to any property, when it comes to homes that are close to the beach and are seeing constant wear and tear from sand being tracked indoors, the longevity and durability of the carpet is taken to the extreme, and often will have a much shorter life span than the “average.” By installing more durable flooring options like luxury vinyl or hardwoods, you will find that you will have to replace your flooring far less frequently as these materials are made to withstand heavy use and harsh conditions as well as high traffic.
It’s no secret that carpet provides a comfy and cozy ambiance, however, it isn’t always the best choice when it comes to a beach house or a home within the Sunset Beach area. In addition to trapping sand and moisture, you will find that the maintenance and upkeep of having carpet flooring in a home near the coast is often too much to handle and can limit your time outdoors as you end up caring for your home more than enjoying the area your home is in. Whether you’re searching for a beachfront house, a new build, a home in the suburbs, or a vacation rental, our team of experts are here to help you find your perfect dream home. Feel free to contact our office today and we would love to help you get started on your real estate journey.