Carpeting can enliven your home as few other changes in decor can. But, with so many different carpet materials and colors to choose from, and so many places to purchase it from, choosing the right carpet can be a daunting task. This is especially true if you’re busy working outside the home in addition to taking care of your family. Thankfully, the challenge can be made easier by breaking down the various factors involved in choosing and purchasing new carpeting into three specific areas:
Shopping for and selecting carpet involves a considerable financial investment on your part, all the more reason to do so deliberately and with a clear vision in mind. The best place to start your search is by familiarizing yourself with the various types of materials from which carpets are manufactured. Then, weigh them against the expectations and demands you anticipate your carpeting will need to meet in order to justify your investment.
• Olefin, or polypropylene: This option is relatively inexpensive while still attractive looking, with the capacity to resist fading and the strong fibers. In addition, it resists static, stains and mildew well. Because it is often found in a looped Berber style, it is also good for concealing dirt. It’s a great choice for areas in the home such as family rooms where there will be high traffic, and is ideal for children’s playrooms.
• Polyester: Another good choice in terms of attractive carpeting that resists stains, polyester is also soft to the touch. However, polyester can present more difficulty when it comes to cleaning and is not well suited to high traffic areas. Also, it is not a great choice for a home with young children or pets.
• Nylon: This is probably the ideal choice of carpet in terms of durability and longevity, offering easy to perform maintenance. It works well with kids, pets and high traffic areas. Carpets manufactured with higher quality levels of nylon are usually branded while unbranded carpets are made from a lesser quality nylon.
• Triexta: Developed from a new type of fiber, this is a great choice for a home with young children and pets as it has a high capacity to remain resilient. It is manufactured with a permanent form of stain resistance properties which means there is no need for periodically treating it with stain protectors as you would with nylon.
In addition to the specifics of the types of materials manufacturers use, there are a number of factors that will provide you with insight into the level of quality of any particular brand of carpet.
• Texture Retention Warranty: How well fibers return to their original shape when they are walked upon. You’ll want a warranty good for 10 years at the least.
• Density: A measure of both thickness and how densely the fibers are packed. Look for a product with a rating higher than 2,000.
• Face Weight: The number of ounces of fiber contained in a square yard. This can be a range between 20-80, and anything around 40 is a good choice.
• Twist: How many times in a one-inch length the tufts have been twisted together. You’ll want a rating of 5 or higher.
Now that we have some good, basic information as to carpeting types, let’s look at colors.
Choosing the color of your carpeting can be much more difficult than it might appear so on the surface. First off is the question of how the color relates to your furnishings. Unless you intend to purchase new furniture after your carpeting is installed, you’re going to need to spend considerable time in trying to envision how the combination of carpeting and furnishings work together. There are two choices that are safer than others in this regard: flecked and neutral colors.
• Flecked colors: Found in Berber carpets, the flecks of colors offer a good contrast to solid colors and may offer better options for providing harmony with various colors found in the furnishings. Flecked colors can range from bright to neutral.
• Neutral colors: Save bright and bold color schemes for your furnishings or the paint on your walls. When it comes to balancing out a room, carpet that is neutral in color has the best chance of bringing together those diverse elements in your decor scheme.
Another factor to consider when choosing color is how it will handle the daily activity of your home. You won’t want a white or very light neutral colored carpet in a room where young children and pets frequently congregate. Conversely, if you go too dark, you’ll likely be more able to see dust and lint on the carpet. Mid-tones are usually a safe choice.
Amongst the many considerations to consider when choosing carpet are price, service, selection, installation, and warranty. But let’s add another – reputation. While the many places that sell carpet can range from big box stores to small, mom and pop shops, all of these considerations need to be examined and evaluated so that your choice is one that will serve you well.
In the greater Seattle area, Carpet To Go has provided their residential and commercial customers with quality products for two decades at a good price, dependable installation, and a wide range of carpeting choices. Now that you’ve made the decision to select and purchase carpeting, be sure and contact Carpet To Go so you can benefit from their products, service, and expert advice for finding the carpeting that’s right for you.