In the market for a new carpet? Be sure to check out the performance characteristics to ensure you choose a carpet that will hold up well and have a long life.
There are several things to look for, including a twist in each individual yarn. Several qualities give performance, including the density of the carpet and the amount of twist, or crimp. Density should not be confused with the height of the pile. Pile height has nothing to do with performance. Generally, the more twist in the carpet yarns, the more spring, which hides footprints. However, there is a tradeoff. Colors are more vibrant in carpets that don't have that crimped texture.
Other properties to look for are stain protection, soil protection and static resistance. Most homeowners clean their carpets about once a year, so in the interim, you want the carpet to perform as well as possible in these three areas.
The carpet industry has done some amazing things in protecting against stain, soil and static. When no carpet is completely protected, today's products are better than ever.
When purchasing a carpet, be sure and buy from a reputable dealer. Look to a quality-oriented decorating center for a good selection of custom carpets as well as better-grade pads and qualified installers. Remember that with carpet, as with many other things in life, you usually get what you pay for.
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