What do I look for in selecting new carpet?

 

Depends on what your looking for, style you want, your budget, your lifestyle, and what you expect from it. Most imortantly, who is going to install it. It will only look as good, and last as long as the installation. If you want to keep up with the "Jones's", Frieze's are hot right now. Patterns are making a big leap into the residential market lately.

 

There are some things you need to consider before selecting a carpet. Where is it going to be installed? Is this a high traffic area? Is it in an area where you will be doing a lot of entertaining? Is the carpet going into a sunny room? Is the carpet going to be in the entry? In family rooms, hallways, and on stairways where there will be a lot of traffic, buy the best carpet you can afford to buy. You will need a carpet that can withstand a lot of abuse. Many carpet manufacturers use a rating scale to rate traffic: low-medium-high or on a scale of 1-5 with 4-5 being high traffic. A medium grade of carpet is good for less used rooms and in bedrooms. Shop around and ask lots of questions to make sure you are getting the best carpet and pad that your budget will allow. It is always best to purchase from a reputable dealer who guarantees the installation.

Consider the color. Do you want the carpet to be a neutral backdrop to your furnishings or do you want a vivid color that will be a focal point and make a statement? Lighter colors tend to make rooms look more spacious, but vivid colors are once again popular. Darker colors can make a room more cozy. Vivid colors can make a room warmer, while blues and greens can have a cooling effect. If soiling is going to be a problem, then perhaps a darker color or a patterned carpet is your best bet. The new soil resistant treatments make lighter color carpets easier from a maintenance standpoint and a good decorating option.

Budget is a key factor in carpet selection. The rule is buy the best you can afford to buy. A better grade of carpet will last longer. How long do you expect the carpet to last? If you plan on moving soon, then perhaps a less expensive option may be practical. A very good quality pad will extend the life of your carpet.

Carpet jobs are usually priced including carpet, pad, and installation. Proceed with caution if it sounds too good to be true and if the price is really low. Carpet is priced based on quality, design, fiber, and construction. The total job cost will include carpet, pad, moving furniture, installation, and hauling off old carpet. A quality installation is very important to the performance and longevity of your carpet. Proper care and maintenance are crucial, too! Make sure you are presented with the manufacturer's care and maintenance instructions as well as warranty information on the carpet as well as the installation.

Do you want a cut pile carpet that looks plush and velvety for a more formal effect? Saxony shows fewer foot prints because all the yarn tufts are cut the same length and there is more twist to the yarn so it is a little less formal. Frieze yarn tufts are longer and very twisted, falling over onto each other, somewhat like a modern day shag. Tends to be more expensive, but footprints and vacuum marks won't be a problem. A dense carpet with a tight yarn twist tends to perform better.

How about a level loop? The loops of yarn have not been cut. Level loops tend to handle high traffic very well. Multi-level loops have two to three levels of loops and tend to be very casual and wear well. Finally, cut and loop pile gives you some design options with different textures and designs.

Most carpet sold is nylon. It wears well and is abrasion resistant. A solution dyed nylon has the color added when the fibers are in their molten state, thus making them colorfast. Carpets that are dyed after they are manufactured tend to be subject to color loss and fading. Modern day treatments of fibers make nylon soil and stain resistant. Olefin (polypropylene) wears and cleans well. Color is added when the fibers are in the molten state, so it is also colorfast. Most berbers are olefin. You can, however, buy nylon berber for greater abrasion resistance. Polyester is resistant to water-soluble stains, has brilliant colors, and a soft feel. The better polyesters wear as well as nylon. Wool carpets are still available and tend to be more expensive than synthetic carpets.

Educate yourself about the different types of carpet, fibers, dying processes, stain resistant treatments, etc. so you can make an informed decision. Again, buy the best you can afford to buy and buy from a reputable dealer.

 

Excellent reply twelvepole.

Only thing I'll add to that great post is, that olefin does hold up well, but it does get tracked down and matted rather fast in high traffic areas.

 

Yep, olefin is not very abrasion resistant and tends to crush in the high traffic areas. It does not respond well if you are a frequent furniture rearranger. It is essentially plastic and is easily crushable. If you like the look of berber, it is best to go with a nylon berber. It costs more but performs better.