Complete Flooring Guide for Dearborn Homes
Carpet vs hardwood vs LVP — what makes sense for your situation
Quick Comparison: Which Flooring Is Right?
Carpet: Still the King of Comfort
There's a reason carpet hasn't gone away despite all the trendy hard flooring options. Nothing else feels as warm and soft underfoot, especially on a January morning when your floors are cold.
Why People Love Carpet
- Warmest option underfoot — actually insulates your floors
- Excellent sound absorption — no footstep echo
- Safe for families — slip-resistant, softer landings for kids
- Most affordable upfront cost
- Easy on joints if you stand a lot
The Trade-offs
- Requires regular vacuuming (2-3x weekly in high traffic)
- Not suitable for kitchens, bathrooms, or basements
- Shows wear patterns over time in high-traffic paths
- Needs professional cleaning annually to maintain warranty
Where Carpet Makes Sense
Bedrooms, living rooms, family rooms — anywhere comfort matters more than durability. Choose nylon for high-traffic areas and polyester for bedrooms where softness is the priority.
Hardwood: The Investment That Pays Off
Real hardwood is the premium choice for a reason. It's gorgeous, it adds real value to your home, and with proper care it can literally last a century. But it's also the most expensive and demanding option.
Why Hardwood Is Worth It
- Highest resale value of any flooring — buyers expect it in nice homes
- Extremely durable — can be refinished 3-5 times over its life
- Never goes out of style — looks as good in 2056 as 2026
- Easy to clean day-to-day
- Actual solid wood, not a picture of wood
The Honest Assessment
- Highest upfront cost — materials plus installation
- Water and humidity are enemies — spills need immediate cleanup
- Will scratch and dent over time — that's just life
- Cold underfoot in Michigan winters unless you add rugs
- Needs refinishing every 7-10 years depending on traffic
Where Hardwood Shines
Living rooms, dining rooms, hallways, and anywhere you want to impress. Oak is the most popular in Dearborn — it's durable and looks classic. Maple is harder but lighter in color. Skip hardwood in kitchens and bathrooms.
LVP: The Practical Homeowner's Choice
Luxury Vinyl Plank has exploded in popularity for one simple reason: it gives you 90% of the hardwood look with almost none of the downsides. We install more LVP than any other hard flooring now.
Why LVP Dominates Right Now
- 100% waterproof — spills, pets, even basement moisture, no problem
- Scratch and dent resistant — pet claws won't destroy it
- Realistic wood appearance — most visitors can't tell the difference
- Warmer and softer underfoot than tile
- Works in any room including basements and bathrooms
- Costs less than hardwood and requires less maintenance
Be Aware
- Cannot be refinished — when it wears out, you replace it
- Lower resale value than real hardwood with buyers who know the difference
- Quality varies wildly — cheap LVP looks cheap within a year
- Get 12+ mil wear layer minimum — anything less won't hold up
Where LVP Excels
Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, entryways, and busy family homes. Choose SPC core for durability and 12+ mil wear layer at minimum. We recommend 20 mil for high-traffic areas.
Room-by-Room Breakdown
Here's what we actually recommend for each room — not what's theoretically possible, but what works best in real Dearborn homes with real Michigan weather.
Dearborn Climate Reality
Michigan winters bring snow, salt, and moisture into your home daily from November through March. LVP in entryways and mudrooms handles this abuse far better than carpet (which gets destroyed), laminate (which swells), or hardwood (which warps). Plan accordingly.
| Room | Our Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bedrooms | Carpet | Warmth, comfort, quieter footsteps at night |
| Living Room | Hardwood or LVP | Durability for traffic, easy to rearrange furniture |
| Kitchen | LVP | Waterproof, easy cleanup, no grout to scrub |
| Bathroom | LVP | Waterproof and mold resistant — tile works too |
| Basement | LVP or Carpet Tiles | Handles moisture, carpet tiles let you replace sections |
| Entryway | LVP | Survives snow, salt, mud, and everything else Michigan throws at it |
Key Takeaways
- Carpet for bedrooms, hard floors for everything else—that's what most Dearborn homeowners end up doing
- Hardwood adds serious resale value. Buyers expect it in nice homes and will pay more for it.
- LVP is the practical choice—looks like wood, handles Michigan weather, costs less to maintain
- Mixing flooring types works great. You don't have to pick just one.
Get Your Free In-Home Estimate
Ready to move forward? We provide free in-home consultations throughout Dearborn and Metro Detroit. You'll receive accurate measurements, see product samples in your actual lighting, and get transparent pricing — no pressure, no obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which flooring has the best resale value in Dearborn?
Hardwood, without question. Real estate agents will tell you buyers expect hardwood in main living areas and will pay more for it. LVP is increasingly accepted as a practical alternative, but if you're planning to sell in the next few years and want maximum return, hardwood is the investment that pays off.
Can I install LVP in my Dearborn basement?
Absolutely — that's actually one of LVP's best uses. Its waterproof construction handles the moisture that Michigan basements constantly have coming up through the concrete. Go with SPC core for maximum stability.
Is carpet or hardwood better for bedrooms?
Carpet, for most people. Bedrooms are about comfort, and nothing feels as good as carpet under bare feet first thing in the morning — especially in Michigan winters. A lot of Dearborn homeowners do hardwood or LVP on the main floor and carpet upstairs in all the bedrooms.
Which flooring is most durable?
Hardwood wins for longevity since you can refinish it multiple times over decades. But for day-to-day abuse resistance — water, scratches, dents — quality LVP actually outperforms hardwood. It really depends on what kind of durability you need.
Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only. Every flooring project is unique—results depend on subfloor condition, humidity, home age, and other factors. Always consult a professional before starting your project. Cost estimates are approximate; contact us for accurate pricing.