How to Select Carpet that Fits Your Lifestyle and Budget
Selecting the right carpet for your lifestyle and budget is easier said than done. There are so many different carpet products on the market at various price points that it can be overwhelming. If you are ready to start your carpet buying journey, just go into it with patience and try not to let the enormity of it stress you out. Again, easier said than done.
Flooring is one of the largest investments you’ll make in your home. By doing some basic homework, comparison shopping, and working with a reputable retailer and installation team, you’ll find the carpet that fits your specific needs. Plus, you’ll be confident that you found a quality product at a good price.
Lifestyle Carpets
Tremendous leaps in carpet technology have allowed manufacturers to develop carpet that is more durable, more stain-resistant, and even waterproof. Something that was not possible twenty years ago. This makes finding a carpet that will fit your lifestyle even easier. Kids and pets are no longer a deterrent to having beautiful wall-to-wall carpets.
Pet and Kid Friendly Carpet
Carpet that is advertised as pet friendly, like Anderson Tuftext’s Pet Perfect Carpet, are made with strong fibers that can stand up to pet foot traffic. They are also highly stain resistant and easy to clean when a pet accident occurs. They also have special odor resistance and hair deterrents. We know it sounds too good to be true, but it exists!
Waterproof Carpet
Spills are always a major concern for homeowners with carpeted floors. Now, the risk of your carpet being ruined by an errant spill or stain is considerably lowered with waterproof carpet. The backing is waterproof, so liquids don’t seep into your rug pad and subfloor. This greatly eliminates odors from developing in your carpet.
Carpet Fiber Types
Most carpet produced in the United States contains one of seven pile fibers: nylon, polypropylene (olefin), acrylic, polyester, triexta, wool, or cotton. Each fiber has strengths and weaknesses that will help determine which carpet fiber is best for you.
Nylon
Nylon outperforms all other fibers in durability, resilience and easy maintenance. Nylon is a good choice if you want your carpet to last a decade or longer, for high-traffic areas, and in homes with children and pets. The strongest and softest type of nylon is 6.6, which is the most expensive.
Triexta
Triexta is a newly classified fiber derived partly from corn sugar. It has excellent, permanent anti-stain properties. It also has good resilience, but it’s to soon to tell whether it will match the durability of nylon in high-traffic areas. Due to triexta’s superior stain resistance, this is a good choice if you have young kids or pets.
Polyester
Also called PET, polyester is stain resistant, very soft and luxurious underfoot, and is available in vibrant colors. The down side of polyester is it’s harder to clean, tend to shed and it isn’t as durable as nylon. Polyester is best used in low-traffic areas such as bedrooms and in households without children or pets.
Polypropylene (Olefin)
Olefin is an attractive, inexpensive fiber that’s strong and resists fading. However, it’s not as resilient as nylon. Olefin is most often made into looped Berber with a nubby weave that conceals dirt. It has good stain, static and mildew resistance. Olefin carpeting is most often selected for high-traffic areas such as family rooms and play areas.
BCF or Staple Fibers
Carpet fibers can be either Bulked Continuous Filament (BCF) or staple. Staple fibers shed more than BCF fibers. This does not affect the long-term quality of the carpet, but it does mean you’ll have to vacuum more often until the initial shedding stops, which can take up to a year. This can also be an issue for allergy sufferers.
Carpet Quality Indicators
Density
Prior to purchasing carpet for your home check the quality. Determining the carpet density will help determine the quality of the carpet. Low-density carpet is low quality and will crush more easily. The higher the density, the better the quality. Density is determined by the thickness of the fibers and how tightly packed they are. The thicker and heavier they are, the better quality the carpet and less susceptible to crushing.
Face Weight
Face weight is the number of ounces of fiber per square yard. The range is generally from 20 to 80, and the higher the number, the heavier and more resilient the carpet. Look for a carpet with at least a 34 to 40 ounce face weight.
Tuft Twist
Tuft twist is the number of times the tufts are twisted together in a 1-inch length. The higher the number, the more durable the carpet. Look for a tuft twist of 5 or higher.
Carpet Warranty
Look for carpet that has at least a 10-year “texture retention” warranty. This covers how well the fibers return to their original shape after being walked on.
Proper Carpet Installation
There are many things you can DIY in your home, but wall-to-wall carpet is not one of them. Most people do not have the specialized tools and expertise to install a carpet properly. Many carpet problems stem from poor installation. Bad seaming, thin carpet cushion (padding), and inadequate stretching can make a carpet look terrible within a few short years.
Most quality flooring companies will provide you a free installation estimate that includes measuring your room for the exact size and specifications. This way, you can be sure to purchase the right amount of carpet and carpet pad for your home.
About Flowers Flooring
Flowers Flooring is your family flooring specialist with two locations – Cornelius, NC, and Winston-Salem, NC. Both locations service a 100-mile radius from the showroom. Both locations specialize in flooring sales and installation, including carpet, laminate, hardwood, sand & finish, hardwood restoration, vinyl plank, vinyl tile, rubber flooring, tile floors, tile showers, tile backsplash, area rugs, interior painting, and more. To reach the Cornelius, NC location please call (704) 445-7750 and to reach our Winston-Salem location, please call (336) 660-0977. Please be sure to inquire about our current promotion and financing offers.
