Carpet Buying Guide
Set the Expectation
Before you shop for new carpet, create a set of expectations for yourself to ease the buying process.
When do you need it? In-stock and Special Order carpets are available depending on your time frame.
How long do you want the carpet to last? Different fibers offer different performance with foot traffic in the home. If you’re making a short-term investment, polyester fiber will sustain you. If you need something long-lasting, explore nylon.
What’s your budget? A smart carpet budget accounts for all three pieces of the carpet puzzle: carpet, pad and installation.
Fiber
It’s the carpet material itself. Single fibers are spun together to create two-, three- or four-ply yarn, which is then attached to a woven backing.
Pile
Pile refers to the height of the fiber and is also referred to as face or nap.
Density
It’s the measure of how closely packed the strands of fiber are to one another. The higher the density, the stronger the carpet.
Weight
Weight is measured in ounces per square yard. Face weight refers to the amount of fiber on the surface of the carpet, while total weight includes the backing and latex as well. High face weight is a good indication of quality. When using weight to compare carpets, make sure you’re comparing similar materials, like nylon to nylon, not nylon to polyester.
How to buy the best carpet
Whether you’re carpeting a new room or replacing some worn or daggy carpet you’ve had way too long, it’s probably time to get an update on what’s out there. Buying the wrong carpet can be an expensive mistake, so roll up and read on as we lay on piles of useful information.
Material matters
No one fibre is best for everyone – the best carpet choice for you depends on where it will be, who’ll be using it, how much traffic it will get, and the size of your budget.
Wool carpet
Just like your favourite jumper, wool carpet is warm, luxurious and durable. It’s also generally more expensive than other fibres. Wool is good for living areas where appearance is important. It’s naturally stain resistant in that it resists liquid-based spills and releases dirt easily, but you’ll want to clean up spills quickly. Cheaper wool carpets are likely to pill.
Nylon carpet
Nylon is a tough and durable man-made fibre. It’s very popular for carpets – it’s cheaper than wool and some even look as good but with added stain resistance. Nylon carpet will hold its colour against cleaning and sunlight, and it’s ideal for use in high-traffic areas for families with children or pets.
Polypropylene carpet
Polypropylene is a synthetic fibre, popular because it’s inexpensive, water resistant and durable. It’s often used for rental properties, garages or playrooms. However it looks and feels cheap – because it is.
How to choose Carpeting
Does the thought of choosing new carpeting for your home from make your head spin? Are there just too many decisions to make? With so many styles, colors, and fibers to choose from, it can be overwhelming.
Choosing a Flooring Store with a Great Reputation
Yes, having carpeting installed in your home can be fun and In the long run, new carpeting it’s an excellent investment. By doing a bit of comparison shopping, some research, and choosing a carpet retailer with a good reputation, you’ll discover which carpet will fit your needs, is the highest quality you can afford and will look beautiful in your home. You’ll be able to make your purchase with complete confidence
Why Carpet?
Wood, vinyl, and tile flooring are currently trendy; however, they can also be cold, hard, and noisy. A luxurious and cozy feeling under your feet can only be accomplished with carpet. A softer landing on carpeting can reduce the risk of injury during a fall and offer a safer and more comfortable surface for kids to play on. With its overall warmth, sound absorption, and comfort, there’s simply no substitute!
Carpeting 101
This article offers some basic information regarding carpet styles, types of fibers, how to recognize quality, deciding on a color and pattern, and more, to help you with your purchase. And don’t forget about choosing the correct padding underneath! What is the best carpet if you have children or pets? When selecting a floor covering, what should you keep in mind? What’s better – synthetic fibers or natural ones? What’s the difference between textured, Berber, loop, and cut pile? What are the benefits of each type of carpet?
Carpet Buying Tips
With so many designs, colors, and materials available, it can be challenging to make the best choice for your home’s flooring. Be aware that some colors and fibers may require more frequent cleaning and vacuuming that won’t fit into your busy work/life schedule. Others may be too expensive, and some may even affect your health with added chemicals. Choose the wrong carpet, and it may wear out too fast, the colors may fade, or quickly become stained even with your best efforts to keep it clean. With the following tips in mind, you can protect your investment and choose the best carpeting for your home and lifestyle.
How to Choose the Best Carpet for a Modern Home
When most people think of a modern floor covering, they usually think of tiles, real wood or vinyl. Carpet is very much a traditionalist’s choice these days, but it can deliver a contemporary aesthetic every bit as impressive as its alternatives.
Carpets look and feel warm, and they simply scream comfort. Let’s face it: who doesn’t like to walk barefooted across a warm, sumptuous carpet? Carpets are great insulators, and they provide a welcome alternative to the couch when you need to stretch
Consider Durability
One of the reasons so many people choose hard flooring is that it tends to be more durable and easier to clean than carpet. While that’s true in most cases, some fibers are more robust and low-maintenance than others.
Nylon
Nylon is durable, water-resistant and very easy to clean. It also delivers a degree of protection from permanent staining. This manmade material is soft to the touch, but it doesn’t deliver the same level of luxury you’ll get from a wool carpet. However, a short-pile carpet made with nylon can work well in a contemporary space with a minimalist aesthetic.
Polyester
Polyester is even softer than nylon, but that doesn’t always bode well for durability. Polyester carpets don’t look great in traditional rooms, but they actually work well in modern spaces with neutral decor.
How to Choose the Best Type of Carpet for Your Home
when you are building or remodeling your home, your flooring choices can easily become overwhelming. You have to consider things like allergies, pets, your family and which rooms get the most traffic. As you browse, how do you know which material or style of carpet is right? This guide covers several factors you should consider to help you make the best choice.
What Are Piles?
Piles describe how manufacturers use the fibers to make the carpet. The yarn is usually looped or cut to a certain length and twisted to stay in place.
Low Pile Carpet
The height affects the wear, appearance and feel of the material. A short pile carpet has yarn cut to 0.25” or less.
Plush Carpet
The plush style is trimmed off so that yarn ends poke up. Saxony plush, one of the most popular varieties, has short tufts that are densely packed to look like a thick carpet. It doesn’t tend to wear as well as loops.
Textured Carpet
Textured carpet features strands of varying lengths to create a feeling of depth and variety. Since it is fairly durable and trackless, it’s useful for areas that see more traffic.