Before you purchase any carpet, you should consider and answer the following questions:
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What to look for when you buy carpeting
Today's carpeting offers a wide variety of choices in style, fiber composition, and color. The texture, colors, and pattern of the carpet can complement or contrast with patterns of your furniture and window treatments.
To select the best carpet for your home and lifestyle, you should consider:
Popular types of carpet
Still one of today's most popular constructions, cut pile carpeting achieves its durability through the type of fiber used, the density of tufts, and the amount of twist in the yarn. Highly twisted yarn will hold its shape longer, making it a smart choice for high-traffic areas.
Level loop pile carpeting has loops of the same height, creating an informal look. This style generally lasts a long time in high-traffic areas. Many of today's popular Berber carpet styles are level loop carpeting with flecks of a darker color on a lighter color background. This is a good choice for contemporary to cottage furnishings.
Multi-level loop pile carpeting usually has two or three different loop heights to create pattern effects. This type of carpet fiber provides good durability and a more casual look.
Cut-and-loop pile carpeting combines both cut and looped yarns. It provides a variety of surface textures, including sculptured effects of squares, chevrons, and swirls. The multi-color effect does a great job of hiding soil and stains.
Color
A rainbow of choices
Carpet comes in almost every color you can imagine and is a personal choice. You will want to select a color that unites your decorative elements and creates the atmosphere you desire. Warm colors can turn up the heat in a room that lacks light, while cool greens and blues have a more tranquil, calming effect. Lighter colors make the room seem larger. Darker colors provide coziness.
Selecting the right carpet cushion/pad
A firm and resilient carpet pad is necessary to form a good foundation for your carpet, increasing its comfort and extending its life by acting as a shock absorber when someone walks on the carpet. The pad helps buffer sound and provides increased insulation, making a room both quieter and warmer.
Carpet pads are made primarily from polyurethane foam, fiber, or rubber. They are available in a variety of styles and constructions to fit your needs. The type and thickness you need varies according to traffic levels and patterns. Your Floor Coverings Direct carpet professional will consult with you and recommend the pat that best fits your individual needs.
How to choose the right carpet fiber
The type of carpet fiber used and the way the carpet is constructed determine how well the carpet will stand up to spills, pets, and daily traffic. The better the carpet fiber and denser it is packed, the better the carpet will perform. The basic types of carpet pile fibers are:
Nylon carpet fiber
Nylon is the most popular carpet fiber type and represents two-thirds of the pile fibers used in the United States. Nylon fibers are wear-resistant, resilient, and provide brilliant color. Nylon is also a great choice for the home because its great at resisting stains and soil.
Olefin (polypropylene) carpet fiber
Olefin carpet fiber is strong, resists wear and permanent stains, and is easily cleaned. Olefin resists static electricity and is oten used in both indoor and outdoor carpet installations because of its resistance to moisture and mildew.
Polyester carpet fiber
Polyester carpet fiber is noted for its luxurious, soft "hand" when used in thick, cut-pile textures. It has excellent color clarity and retention, cleans easily, and is inherently stain resistant.
Wool carpet fiber
Wool carpet fiber is noted for its luxury and performance. It is soft, has high bulk, and is available in a wide variety of colors and carpet patterns. Generally, wool is somewhat more expensive than synthetic fibers.
Maintaining your carpet's warranty • Cleaning & Maintenance
Your carpet must be cleaned every 12-18 months by a carpet cleaning professional. Your carpet must be vacuumed every week.
The beauty and life of your carpet depends on the care it receives. Quality carpeting that is well-maintained should last 10 to 15 years. Proper cleaning will keep your carpet looking great for its full lifetime, help improve your indoor air quality, and safeguard your carpet investment by keeping you from having to replace it before its time.