Selecting a new carpet for your home can be a very exciting time for a family. A new carpet adds warmth and beauty to just about any room in your home. Carpet remains one of the most popular floor covering options among homeowners today. Since there are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of different carpet styles to choose from so the process can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. Carpet retains it’s beauty for many years, so it’s important to pick the right one for your particular project. So what type of carpet should you decide on? Well, let’s take a look at three key things to consider when you are in the market for a new carpet for your home.
The first thing to consider is fiber type. This is one of the first things you want to decide on. The fiber is the foundation of the carpet. If you focus too much on color right off the bat, you may fall in love with a carpet that really isn’t the right carpet for you. There are three main types of fiber used in residential carpets today. They are Wool, Nylon and Polyester. Not every fiber type is alike so you need to decide on which one is best for you when considering where it is going to be installed, how much traffic there will be, or if you have any kids or pets as well.
Wool is the most durable and most expensive of the three fibers listed above. It is inherently stain resistance and is extremely soft and with allergies. Nylon falls in the middle as far as durability and price. It is by far the most commonly used fiber in carpet today. Nylon can be very durable when constructed right, and is relatively stain resistant as well. It comes in a wide variety of styles and colors and is generally a good “all around the house” option. Polyester is becoming increasingly popular with the advancements in technology. Polyester is very stain resistance and new manufacturing technology has made it highly durable as well, slightly under or equal to nylon. The most important thing when selecting the right carpet fiber is to determine the amount of traffic and staining possibilities in the given areas the carpet will be installed in. A knowledgeable and professional Sales Associate will help you determine the best in your particular application.
Construction is another important thing to consider when selecting your new carpet. There are two main types of construction in carpets today. They are loop and cut pile carpets. Loop carpets tend to be a little more durable, making them great for game rooms and family rooms, while cut pile (plush) carpet tends to be much softer and yet still durable enough for a “whole house” type carpet. With so much advancements in the way carpet is manufactured, it really boils down to personal preference. As far as durability and maintenance, in a normal residential setting, loop pile and cut pile carpets will be about equal.
The third thing to consider is color. Now, in most instances this really comes down to personal preference. After all, you are the one living there so you need to be the one to love the color. There are certain situations where color is more than just personal preference. A great example of that is if you are putting new carpet in to sell your home.
