Carpeted floors are favorites in the household because they can easily create a cozy and luxurious atmosphere in any room in your home. Carpet is simple to maintain, easy on the wallet with the lowest total cost, quick to install, and is versatile enough to match the decor of any room. It is also the best choice for those who prefer warm and cozy areas and sound-insulation for their floors.
However, with the vast array of carpet qualities, types, and styles, the task of getting the right carpet to perfectly match a room and your needs can be daunting. Most homeowners are not acquainted with the factors affecting carpet selection and performance so they can end up with the wrong purchases if not helped by professionals.
Understanding what is important to consider when buying carpet will not only help individuals choose the right material for their carpeting; it also results in a good investment and the most cost-effective decisions.
How to Choose the Right Carpet for You – 8 Tips
Carpet Durability
he most important aspect of carpet for the long-term is its durability. There is more to durability than just the brand and the way a carpet feels. A carpet’s durability is directly related to:
The thickness or density of the carpet
The fiber it is made from
The way a carpet is constructed (i.e. type of carpet)
Stain Resistance
When purchasing carpet for any area in your home, stain resistance is very important. Stain resistance can mean many different things when purchasing carpet. Here is a quick summary of stain resistance and carpeting:
Inherent Stain Resistance – Carpet that has inherent stain resistance is made with a fiber that does not absorb (or absorbs very little) foreign liquids. The most popular of these types of carpet is Solution Dyed Polyester followed by a Continuous Filament Polyester. The best inherently stain resistance carpets come with a stain treatment on them as well to help prevent any stains from absorbing into your carpet.
Stain Treatment – All carpet is ultimately a fiber. When treated with a stain treatment, whether it is a stain resistant fiber or not, the carpet is better equipped to repel stains. There are 2 different types of stain treatments:
The better the stain treatment on your carpet, and the less oil that is used in the manufacturing process, the better your carpet will repel dirt and the less dirt will be able to build up – extending the life of your carpet fibers and the look of your carpet.
Price
Budget – One of the most important words when making a purchase. Usually the price of the carpet is directly related to the quality of it, however, that is not always the case. Once you get above a certain benchmark of cost per square yard you are spending more on style than quality. One thing to watch out for are very stylish carpets that cost a lot of money but are made with lower quality fibers. Another red flag are carpets that feel nice but are made poorly (there are quite a few of these on the market).
It is a good idea to work with an honest and reputable company that practices no pressure sales to make sure you know what you are purchasing and that you are getting a fair price. You can always call with questions, no matter who you are buying the carpet from.
Remember, the best price is not always the best deal.
Type of Carpet
Carpet comes in numerous different types and styles, all serving different purposes. The carpet type you choose will depend on your needs and wants. Some examples are:
Plush Textured – stiffer type, not as soft, but will not show foot prints or vacuum marks
Plush Saxony – softer, “lay down and fall asleep” feel, has attractive shine
Berber – looped fibers, multi-color, more durable
Patterned – plush or berber with a built-in pattern
Print – plush with a design printed on top of fibers
LCL (Level Cut Loop) – cross between plush and berber which creates a pattern inside
Frieze or California Shag – loosest type, hello 70s!
Softness and Carpet Feel
Choosing the feel of carpet is the most fun as this is what you will feel when walking barefoot or laying across your floor. Just imagine walking barefoot across the soft, luxurious…oops! Sorry, you get the point.
The feel of carpeting adds comfort and coziness or stiffness and durability. As long as your fiber, construction, and thickness are right you really can’t go wrong. You will get good life out of whatever you choose. Yes, a tight carpet will last longer, but you are not talking about significant differences and you should purchase something that you will enjoy for many years instead of something you will just live with.
The feel of softness cannot be described over the internet and should be touched in person. Therefore, visit our showroom and feel the carpet softness for yourself.
Carpet Look & Style
The almost limitless choices in carpet, color, and style may be the primary reason why most homeowners decide on carpet.
Before drowning in the sea of colors and design, here are some stylistic tips and ideas:
Room Space – cool hues of pastels and neutrals work well in making smaller rooms appear larger, while warm hues like browns and rusts create a more closed-in, warmer, homier effect.
Other Room Furnishings – rooms with already heavy patterns and texture will find a good use for a matching solid-colored floor or carpet. Conversely, simpler walls and furnishings will benefit from bold colors and awesome patterns.
Targeted Overall Feel – warm hues and earth tones such as beige, taupe and brown can give off a relaxed, quiet mood; pull-off a gradation effect to give the feeling of height in a room by matching dark floors with walls and furniture that gets lighter in color as you move up.
Future Plans – If you are planning on selling your house in the near future choose a neutral color and tone, and a neutral feel.
Carpet Pad and Underlayment
A carpet pad or an underlayment supports and cushions carpet. Several homeowners give too little attention to this without realizing that padding serves as the foundation of your carpet.
Density – This is how much fiber is in a cubic foot of pad. An 8 lb pad will have 8 pounds of fiber inside of one cubic foot (1 foot wide by 1 foot deep by 1 foot tall). For your home you do not want anything less than 6LB pad, as it will crush and traffic out too soon. 6LB pad is also the minimal requirement for FHA (Federal Housing Administration). As the pad gets denser it will last longer but feel stiffer. A nice, good quality, cost effective pad with a good overall feel is an 8LB 7/16″ pad. It will last as long as your carpet, is not that much more expensive, and it feels good under foot.
Thickness – This is the thickness of the pad. You want a thinner piece for berber (3/8″ or 5/16″) and a thicker piece for plush (3/8″-1/2″). You don’t want anything too thick or thin as it can compromise the quality and longevity of your carpet. A good median for plush carpet is 7/16″.
Bells and Whistles – Some nice options are available on the market today when it comes to carpet pad. They obviously cost more but may serve your purposes better and therefore protect your carpet investment. Some of the options available are:
Spill Trap – This is a layer of plastic between the pad and the carpet. Very good for pet owners or people that eat on their carpet. If you get a spill or stain it stays in the carpet and does not pass through to the pad. Spills, odors, and stains are easier to get out of carpet than pad – especially with the new stain treatments available.
Memory Foam – Instead of recycled industrial material, this carpet pad has recycled industrial memory foam built in. This means it is a pad that will never crush and is very soft to walk on.
Antimicrobial – Antimicrobial carpet pad is treated with an agent that prevents and inhibits the growth of mold and mildew. Perfect for basements, attics, and anywhere else with moisture issues.
Carpet Functionality
Carpet can instantly improve the home’s aesthetic value, and bring a new look and feel to any area of the home. However if you choose the wrong carpet it will soon look worse rather than better.
In choosing which carpet type will be most suitable for areas in your home, you have to determine floor traffic and room usage. Once you know that you can purchase a carpet that is correctly suited to the room. If you are not sure what the room will be used for, or if it is a multi-purpose room, then be sure to choose a carpet that will work well with any application of the room.
Be an Informed Consumer
It is not easy to choose carpet without knowing the basics. However, with the right information and the right people guiding you through your purchase, carpet can create beautiful, functional spaces. To learn more about carpet, get an honest opinion, get a free estimate, or just to talk about carpet (even if you are not ready to purchase) call or contact us today.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.
