How To Buy Carpet ((EXCLUSIVE))
The quality of carpet is determined by the material used, the pile type, density, face weight, and tuft twist. Different materials offer different levels of durability. Pile type determines how the carpet feels and holds up. Density, face weight, and tuft twist are all important factors that indicate how durable a carpet is. Considering all of these factors together can help you determine whether a carpet is of good or poor quality, and how well it will hold up to daily use.
how to buy carpet
Did you know that carpet used to be the flooring solution of choice for just about the entire house? Now, though, with so many other exciting options to choose from - wood, tile, luxury vinyl planks, cork to name a few - when you're buying carpet, you're doing so for bedrooms, a family room, the stairs and maybe the basement. Regardless, since you can find so many different flooring options at Floor Decor Design Center in Orange, Connecticut, and in Middletown, we are ready to help you.
Although we love carpet, we recognize that some customers come into our store preferring not to look at carpet. Why? Because they had a bad experience with carpet and don't want to repeat that mistake. Ultimately, they wound up with the wrong carpet for their lifestyle.
That's also why it's critically important that we match you up with the right carpet product so you remain delighted for years to come. We've found that the best approach is to ask shoppers tons of questions to better understand your flooring expectations.
Before you start to select a flooring for your home it would help to understand a little more about carpet and its advantages. The way that your carpet is constructed plays an important role in its performance and life expectancy.
What makes selecting the right carpet confusing (and buying the wrong carpet really frustrating) is that you can't rely on just one factor. Depending on where you have that carpet installed (i.e., heavy traffic vs. light traffic area), you may have picked the wrong factor. For that reason, it's important to discuss your end-use and traffic requirements.
Above, we mentioned carpet density or thickness. That's how much carpet pile yarn there is in a given volume of carpet face. Generally, higher density and lower pile height deliver better performance, but yarn twist plays a role, too.
Although more of a design element, your choice of carpet color as well as style and even pattern can accentuate or disguise heavy use. A white carpet in a high-traffic area, for example, will most likely make you unhappy in a short period of time, whereas a darker one or one with Berber flecks might be just the solution.
Compared to many construction and renovation products, carpet is one of the lowest in the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC). And any that new carpet emits dissipates within 24 to 48 hours and faster with fresh air ventilation.
Yes, buying carpet can get a little confusing. However, with these five guidelines, you're in a better position to assess your requirements and evaluate your options. And, when you're ready, be sure to read about How Much New Carpet Costs.
At Floor Decor, we understand every customer has different needs. By asking some simple questions about your lifestyle and expectations we can help you through the process of selecting the best carpet or flooring for your needs.
Sculptured, or cut-and-loop, made with looped and non-looped tufts, is economical and durable. The varied shading hides dirt well, but the seams can be more visible. Prices for sculptured carpet start at about $6 per sq. yd. for 26- to 30-oz. face weight. Price and durability increase with higher face-weight yarns.
At least a 34- to 40-oz. face weight. This is the number of ounces of fiber per square yard. The range is generally from 20 to 80, and the higher the number, the heavier and more resilient the carpet.
The quality of carpet pad is determined by density, not thickness. The right pad will extend the life of your carpet. The wrong pad can cut the life of your carpet in half. A good-quality pad will be 3/8 to 1/2 in. thick and have a density/weight rating of at least 6 lbs. (the residential standard). In most cases, cheap, low-density pad will only last a few years before it needs to be replaced. For high-traffic areas, get a thinner pad with a density of 8 lbs. or more. Some carpet manufacturers require a specific type of pad in order to maintain your carpet warranty (such as when the carpet is laid over heated floors). Check the carpet warranty before you buy padding.
Nothing compares to the soft, luxurious feeling of carpet under your feet. Carpeting provides a safe, comfortable spot for kids to play and may even reduce the risk of injury during a fall [source: Carpet and Rug Institute]. Sure, carpet requires a bit of extra maintenance compared to vinyl or tile, but there's simply no substitute in terms of sound absorption, warmth and overall comfort.
With so many different colors, materials and designs available, it can be difficult to choose the best carpet for your home. Some materials may require frequent cleanings that simply won't fit into your busy schedule, others come with a high price tag and some may even have an effect on your health. The wrong carpet may wear out quickly, fade or show stains that stubbornly resist your best cleaning efforts. Protect your investment and choose the best carpeting for your home with these 10 carpet-buying tips.
Don't be tempted to skimp on carpet padding to save a few dollars. Just as a building needs a solid foundation, carpeting relies on a layer of padding for support, strength and a bit of extra cushioning. You can't see the padding, but you'll definitely spot the extra wear and tear on your new carpet if you pick an inadequate padding material.
Made from rubber or foam materials, carpet padding conceals subfloor imperfections to improve the appearance of the finished floor. It also acts as insulation to help control the temperature of your home, and it even absorbs sound to protect your privacy and eliminate neighbor noise. Most importantly, padding supports your carpet through years of use, since it prevents carpet backing and fibers from coming apart over time.
Consult your carpet manufacturer for padding recommendations and advice. Typically, high-traffic areas require firm, dense padding, while guest bedrooms and other light-traffic rooms may need less protection.
It's also important to match the padding to the type of carpet you plan to use. The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends a 7/16-inch (11-millimeter) padding with 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms) of density per cubic feet to support cut pile or cut loop carpeting. For Berber or thin loop rugs, look for a 3/8-inch (9.5-millimeter) pad or thinner, with 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) of density per cubic foot [source: Carpet and Rug Institute].
Carpet comes in many styles, including plush, Saxony, Berber, textured and frieze. These terms apply to its pile, which is the surface you see, created from yarn tufts that are either folded over into loops, cut straight across or both. While each style has a distinctive look, that shouldn't be your main consideration. Instead, look at how well your lifestyle meshes with a particular carpet style. Plush carpeting, for example, is made from tightly twisted pile, and is thick, soft and inviting. But it also shows footprints and vacuum tracks, and can develop something called "pooling," or areas that appear shaded because the normal direction of the carpet fibers has been reversed. Saxony, the most common type of carpeting, is similar to plush [source: Becker]. These carpet styles work best in low-traffic areas like formal living rooms and master bedrooms.
Berber carpeting, in contrast, is crafted from continuous fiber loops and is flat and dense. It can have a level loop, cut-and-loop or multi-level loop design. All of these attributes mean Berber is extremely durable and doesn't show tracks, soil and stains -- perfect for high-traffic areas, or places frequented by kids.
Textured carpeting is made from fibers cut to different heights, which causes them to reflect light. This makes it difficult to see tracks and dirt. So this type of carpeting is also great for high-traffic areas. Some Berbers are textured.
Friezes are a cut-pile carpet made from slightly twisted fibers. The look is less formal than plush, but fancier than many textured pieces or Berber. The carpet feels soft on your feet, yet its fuzziness hides footprints and dirt well.
Even the most luxurious carpet doesn't have to cost a fortune. Shop around to find carpet that fits your lifestyle and budget. Always request separate pricing for materials and installation so you can make an "apples-to-apples" comparison among different suppliers.
Make the most of any budget by choosing the best carpet for each room. For example, stain-resistant products may be worth the splurge in your busy family room, but more affordable low-traffic carpeting may be just fine for your guest rooms.
Consider lifetime replacement and maintenance expenses to keep costs even lower. If you have kids or pets, try carpet tile instead of rolled carpeting. Rather than replacing the entire room after a few years of spills and stains, you can replace single tiles as needed to keep your carpet looking fresh and new.
Explore different material options before you buy to balance price and comfort. Wool represents the very best in carpet materials but also comes with the highest price tag. Nylon and other synthetics feel similar to wool but are available at lower prices. For moisture-prone areas like basements or stairways, try cut-rate options like Olefin or polyester [source: Consumer Reports].
You can purchase carpet in a variety of places -- carpet showrooms, of course, but also flooring companies, furniture stores, large department stores and even online. While you can end up with beautiful carpet that's expertly installed using any of these options, your best bet is to select a reputable establishment that specializes in carpeting. 041b061a72