How to Choose Carpet: An Easy Guide

When it comes time to change the flooring in a home, many people choose carpet because of its softness and warmth. Understanding the different options available will help you make the best choice when the time comes to go shopping for carpet.

The first thing you will have to decide is the kind of material you would like your carpet to be made of. Wool carpeting is perhaps the softest type of carpet available, but it is more expensive than the alternatives and is more susceptible to staining. If wool carpeting is chosen, it should be used only in low-traffic areas of the home.

Less expensive options include nylon and polyester carpeting, both of which are more stain resistant than wool. These types are soft as well, although not as soft as wool carpets. Nylon carpeting is among the most durable forms available. Yet another option is olefin carpeting, which is a form of synthetic-fiber-based carpet that is moisture-resistant. Olefin is a popular choice for carpeted bathrooms.

Once you have selected the material for your carpeting, you need to decide on the kind of pile you want for your carpet. The pile refers to the actual carpeting fibers and there are several different kinds of pile available.

Loop pile carpets are a popular choice because of their softness and durability. In a loop pile carpet, the fibers consist of loops, either of the same length or of varying lengths. Berber-style loop carpets have loops of all different lengths while level-loop carpeting has loops of the same length throughout. Both of these are good choices for high traffic areas. They also work well in informal rooms, so if those are the rooms you need the carpet for, loop piling is one of the best options for you.

Cut pile carpets are like the loop pile except that the loops have been cut, creating thousands of individual fibers. These may be grouped closely together as in a plush carpet or a bit further apart as in frieze carpets.

In a textured cut-pile carpet the piles are made of two different colors of yarn that are twisted tightly, producing durable and dirt-resistant flooring. Sometimes the cut-pile and loop-pile styles are combined to include loops and single-strand fibers in the same carpet. This can create a two-toned look that hides dirt well.

As important as the pile choice is, the carpet padding that lays between the carpet and the floor is no less significant. The padding will provide the cushioning and the thicker the padding, the softer the carpet will be. Choose a quality pad that will not disintegrate easily, and if you have pets, there are pads that will resist the damaging effects of pet wear and tear.

There are also self-adhesive carpet tiles available for those looking for ease of installation, and these can be mixed and matched to suit your décor. Yet whether you pick more traditional installation or quick-and-easy carpeting placement, keeping these facts in mind will help you pick the best carpet for your home.

Carpet Types — basic list of the types of carpet available to the buyer

Carpeting Your Home — helps you pick the best carpet for your flooring needs

Choosing Flooring: Carpeting — everything you need to know about carpeting to make an informed choice of flooring