Shopping for Carpet?

We all know that sometimes carpet is just better off being replaced, especially when there is irreversible wear and tear. You know, the corner of the living room where the dog pulled up the carpet and tore out the fibers? (Been there, done that). Or, perhaps your bedroom carpet is 20 years old. (Yes, it happens lol).

If you’re in the market for new carpet, here are some tips to help you pick the carpet that is right for you:

Types of Carpet:

There are four main types of carpet that are made from various fibers – synthetic and natural.

• Nylon: (most popular) It is super durable and pretty resistant to wear and tear such as stain-fighting and some nylon fibers treated with stain-resistant.

• Olefin: Great for basements or outdoor sun rooms. It is resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew. It is much tougher than nylon, but it is very thin and not exactly the most comfortable to walk on.

• Acrylic: (least popular, only because it isn’t widely available) It is less expensive than wool and is a great alternative to using wool carpet.

• Wool: This is the most expensive. It is a durable floor covering that is also stain-resistant and eco-friendly.

Also consider the weight and density of the carpet before you buy. Weight is the amount of fibers present; higher quality and heavier weight means more carpet fibers. Density is the number of fibers and how closely packed they are. If you can feel the carpet backing, then you’ll know the carpet is not very dense.

Pay attention to the type of carpet construction as well. This simply means how the carpet fibers are attached to the backing.

• Loop Pile – Low profile, limited cushioning – fibers are curved into small loops. The most popular is Berber carpet.

• Cut Pile – Softer than loop pile and no loops. Can be plush, Saxony, textured, Frieze (shag rugs!), and Cable (super comfy!).

• Cut & Loop – Great for hiding dirt and stains, and it is the best of both worlds.