Buying new carpet is a major investment for most people. Yet, for a “big ticket” item that’s such a key decorative element in the home, many people don’t spend enough time during the selection process and wind up purchasing a carpet that isn’t suitable for their lifestyle. Often times, consumers are misled by carpet salesman who may push certain brand or styles that they make a higher profit margin from, or are overstocked on. Hopefully we can help you to make a selection that best suits your home and your budget and then give you a referral for an awesome company to go purchase your carpet from.
When shopping for your new carpet, you need to ask yourself the following questions: How is the room going to be used? Will it have heavy or light foot traffic? Will the room be the center of activity for family and entertaining? Is there direct access from outside, or is the room away from entrances? Will the carpet receive direct sunlight?
Here are some things to consider:
Cost: Your budget and your needs are key elements in selecting a new carpet. How long do you plan on staying in the home or how long would you like your carpeting to last before you replace it. If the answer to either question is 5 years or less, buy a moderate grade of carpeting. A better grade of carpet will give you a longer length of service than one of lesser quality.
Buy the best carpet you can afford for the heavy traffic areas of your home – family room, dining room, hallways and stairs. A medium grade is sufficient in rooms with less traffic – bedrooms, guest rooms. Manufacturers sell different grades of the same color and style, making it easy to use different grades in your home, while maintaining a consistent appearance in all rooms.
When obtaining a cost estimate, make sure that the estimate includes pad, installation, moving of furniture and removal and disposal of your old carpeting.
Color: Color selection can be a very personal choice. Lighter colors make a room seem larger, darker colors provide coziness. Lighter colors allow much more flexibility in decoration options. Medium and darker colors, tweeds and textures will help disguise common soil in your homes high traffic areas. Selling your home soon? Choose a lighter, neutral color. Studies have shown that homes with darker colored carpets, on average, take longer to sell.
Fiber Content: There are 4 major types or carpet pile fiber:
- Nylon: Approximately 65% of all carpets sold in the U.S. are made from Nylon. We highly recommend Nylon because of its wear resistance, ease in cleaning, ability to hold up in heavy traffic areas and its ability to hide soil and stains. Nylon carpets are prone to facing in rooms that receive an abundance of direct sunlight.
- Olefin (polypropylene): Moisture and fade resistant, Olefin is cheaper to manufacture than Nylon. Many Berber style carpets are made from this fiber. Negatives: Melts easily at lower temps, sometimes simply by the friction created while dragging furniture across it. Difficult to clean, it is “oil loving” meaning it absorbs oily stains, but will repel water based cleaners. Olefin carpets tend to show wear in the traffic areas sooner.
- Polyester: Noted for its luxurious, soft feel when used in thick, cut pile textures. Carpets made with Polyester fibers are more difficult to clean. Experts say polyester fibers also are prone to showing wear in traffic areas prematurely.
- Wool: Probably the longest wearing of all carpet fibers. Wool is also the most expensive. If it’s in the budget, consider a blend of both Nylon and Wool fibers. This blend combines the durability of wool with the “clean ability” of Nylon.
Quality: Density and fiber twist are the two most important factors in carpet performance. The denser (more fiber per sq. yard) the better. Density is measured in “face-weight.” The higher the face weight, the better. Carpet with a tighter twist also provide enhanced durability.
Carpet Cushion: Never cut costs when choosing a carpet pad. A good quality pad will extend the life of your carpet while making it feel more luxurious. Select the pad that is recommended for your particular style of carpet. Installing the wrong pad may void your manufacturer’s warranty.
When you are ready to purchase new carpet, keep these tips in mind. If you have any questions, feel free to give Anchor Restoration a call for our carpet services and expertise. We are always happy to help!
