Carpet is cheaper to install: $3 to $7 per square foot against $5 to $12 for luxury vinyl plank. Over a ten-year horizon the order reverses, because mid-grade carpet in a main living area is typically replaced every five to seven years while vinyl plank runs fifteen to twenty-five. On day one carpet wins by about 40 percent. By year ten vinyl plank is the cheaper floor.
Day one, and year ten
| Carpet | Luxury vinyl plank | |
|---|---|---|
| Installed, per sq ft | $3 to $7 | $5 to $12 |
| 300 sq ft room | $900 to $2,100 | $1,500 to $3,600 |
| Realistic life, main living area | 5 to 7 years | 15 to 25 years |
| Replacements in 10 years | 1 to 2 | 0 |
| Ten-year cost, 300 sq ft | $1,800 to $4,200 | $1,500 to $3,600 |
| Water | Pad holds it, often unrecoverable | Surface wipes, core unaffected |
| Underfoot | Soft and quiet | Hard, warmer than tile |
| Allergens | Traps them | Nothing to trap |
Where each one genuinely wins
Carpet wins in bedrooms, on stairs where noise matters, in rooms over unconditioned space, and in any house where the budget is the binding constraint right now. It is also the only one of the two that is comfortable to sit on, which matters more in a playroom than any spreadsheet does.
Vinyl plank wins everywhere water or traffic is involved: kitchens, entries, hallways, basements, rentals and homes with pets. In a basement it is close to the only sensible choice, because a finished basement that takes an inch of water loses its carpet and keeps its vinyl.
The number that is not in the table
Carpet in a rental or a resale situation is a recurring cost that falls on whoever owns the property at the time. Vinyl plank is a one-time cost that the next owner inherits. If you are holding the property, that difference is the whole argument.
For the other swaps, see replacing carpet with laminate and replacing carpet with hardwood.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to install carpet or vinyl plank?
Carpet, by roughly 40 percent on day one: $3 to $7 per square foot against $5 to $12. Over ten years vinyl plank costs less because carpet is replaced once or twice in that period.
Does vinyl plank add more home value than carpet?
In living areas, entries and basements, yes. Buyers read hard surface as newer and lower maintenance. In bedrooms the preference splits and neither choice moves the price much.
How long does luxury vinyl plank last?
Fifteen to twenty-five years depending on the wear layer. A 12 mil wear layer suits a bedroom, 20 mil or more suits a kitchen, an entry or a home with pets.
Is vinyl plank cold or loud underfoot?
It is harder and louder than carpet and warmer and quieter than tile. A quality underlayment closes most of the noise gap, and it is a cheap upgrade at install time.
Can you put vinyl plank over carpet?
No. The carpet and pad have to come out. Vinyl plank needs a flat, solid substrate, and a compressible layer underneath causes the joints to separate.
Torn between them? Our Derwood showroom has both underfoot in full-size displays, which is the only honest way to compare them. Call (301) 939-0009 or book a showroom visit.