How to Choose The Right Carpet

   With all the new styles, patterns and colors of carpet to choose from, replacing carpet, or choosing carpet for a new home or office, is an increasingly challenging task. After all, carpeting is the foundation of decorating, so who wants to make a mistake on something so critical to the success of the overall décor?
   In this issue, I’ll explain the different types of carpet and offer a simple process for making an informed decision about carpet buying. Carpet absorbs sound, insulates against the cold, cushions for comfort and prevents slips and falls. It’s also a major decorative element in the home and a major consumer purchase. Better to get it right the first time. Choose carefully, and your carpet choice will be a decision you can live with happily for years to come. Following are questions to ask, before you buy.

   Location & Use: Consider how much traffic the room to be carpeted will get and whether or not it will be in direct sunlight. Carpet comes with performance rating guidelines on a five-point scale. A four or five rating is best for high traffic areas, while a two or three rating is fine for areas with less traffic.
    The fiber used in a carpet will determine its wearability, so make sure you understand the type of fiber used in the carpet you choose. Choices include nylon, wool, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic and wool/nylon blends. Nylon is the strongest, most durable and widely used fiber for carpet. Its soft texture holds color well, resists stains and is usually easy to clean. Wool carpets are warm and durable but can be subject to damage from some cleaning detergents. You also may have fewer color choices if you go with wool, since these carpets don’t take bright color dyes as well. Polyester carpets are durable, but can be susceptible to oil-based stains. This type of carpet is noted for its luxurious soft feel when used in thick, cut-pile textures. Polypropylene (or olefin) carpet is strong, resists wear and permanent stains, is moisture resistant and easy to clean. This type of carpet also is colorfast because color is added during fiber production. Polypropylene carpet is often used in indoor and outdoor installations and is used in synthetic turf for sports surfaces and in the home for play and game rooms. Drawbacks of this type of carpet include that it often comes in a limited number of colors and it lacks bounce and resiliency in all but the densest styles. Acrylic carpet offers the appearance and feel of wool without the cost. This type of carpet is commonly used in velvet and level-loop construction, often in bath and scatter rugs. Acrylic carpet has low static level and is moisture and mildew-resistant. A wool/nylon blend combines the superior look and comfort of wool with the durability of nylon. Acrylic/olefin and nylon/olefin are other popular blends offering characteristics of each fiber.

  Construction: Carpet is very different, depending on how it is constructed. Yarn is “tufted” or locked into the backing in different ways, affecting texture and long-term durability. Carpet pile is the yarn on the face of the carpet. Quality carpet can be recognized by a firm, dense pile. To check a carpet’s density, bend a corner of the carpet and see how much backing shows. The more backing that shows, the less dense and durable the carpet. The most durable carpets have tightly twisted yarns densely packed into the backing. Common types of carpet include:
   Level Loop Pile: Loop carpets have loops of equal height and offer a continuous uncut surface that resists crushing and matting. Berber-style level loop carpets wear well and are suited for most rooms and continue to be a popular choice today.
   Multilevel Loop Pile: Multilevel Loop Pile carpets have just that, two or three different loop heights that create a pattern effect. This type of carpet provides good durability.
   Cut Pile: The loops of a cut pile carpet are cut to expose the yarn ends. Cut piles come in a variety of styles to match different rooms. This is still one of the most popular types of carpet. Durability is achieved through the type of fiber, density of tufts and the amount of yarn used. Generally speaking, bright fibers show footprints more than others because of the difference in color between the ends and side of the tuft. Cut pile carpet comes in four general types: Velvet Plush: A rich, luxurious, smooth and level surface that is best for formal living rooms or dining rooms not receiving a lot of traffic. The bright surface usually shows footprint and vacuum traffic. The look of velvet plush gives off a formal atmosphere. Saxony: A carpet that has various surface finishes, saxony is good for a less formal room such as a family room or den, Saxony pile yarns have more twist so that the yarn ends create a less formal look, minimizing footprints. Textured Saxony: This carpet is tough enough for any room and its sculpted design won’t show dirt or traffic easily. The look of textured saxony says “informal”. Frieze: A good choice for high traffic areas such as family rooms, foyers and children’s rooms. This style, recognized by yarns that are extremely twisted, forming a “curly” textured and informal look, is the least likely to show vacuum marks, footprints or dirt.
   Cut & Loop Pile: Cut and Loop carpets feature a combination of cut and looped yarns, providing a variety of surface textures, usually in a sculpted pattern such as squares, chevrons or swirls. Often multicolored, Cut and Loop carpet is appropriate for any room except for those with a formal atmosphere.

   Carpet Pad: I don’t recommend spending a lot of money on a quality carpet and then skimping on the pad. A good pad increases the life span of any carpet. It also softens the surface, insulates for heat and noise and prevents the carpet from moving. Padding is available in several different materials including foam rubber and urethane. Choose cushion density according to how much wear and tear the carpet will get, demanding a denser pad for areas of high traffic and wear. Choose a water resistant pad that is no thicker than 7/16¨.

   Stain Resistance: While no carpet is absolutely stain proof, most beverage and food spills can be cleaned from carpet. Some carpets come with an enhanced stain resistance feature, and I recommend it for anyone with pets, small children or undisciplined household members who can’t remember to remove their shoes at the door. Keep in mind that lighter-colored carpeting generally requires more maintenance than medium to darker shades.

   Cost: Expect to spend between $15 and $30 per square yard or $1.70 to $3.35 per square foot for carpet. Of all home dÎcor items, carpet is the most under-budgeted. In my experience, it’s also the one item that customers say they wish they’d bought a better product two years later. Another way to decide how much to spend is home value. The International Design Guild sets budget standards for carpet each year, taking into consideration what the average homeowner spends on furniture and appliances in relation to the home’s value. For 2000, consumers should budget $1.50 per square foot for every $100,000 paid for the home. That means a $300,000 home should have a budget of $4.50 per square foot for carpet, plus padding and installation.
   Once you decide how much to spend, get the entire cost in writing, including the carpet, padding and installation. Professional installation can extend the life of your investment. Remember to figure in a cost of regular maintenance, especially if you choose a carpet that may need more frequent attention. Ask yourself how long you expect to keep the carpet before replacing it. A better grade of carpet generally will have a longer life. Buy the best carpet you can afford for high traffic areas of the home such as halls, stairs and family rooms. Settle for a medium grade for formal dining rooms and bedrooms.
   There is no substitute for using a knowledgeable sales associate when shopping for carpet. Only deal with someone who understands the terms discussed in this article, and who can make recommendations based on fact rather than style or color.
   All carpet comes with a label that lists the carpet pattern, color and fiber type. Ask for a written warranty on the carpet you purchase and read it carefully. Some warranties are void if the carpet is treated with in-home protective products.

2000 Standard for Budgeting Carpet (uninstalled) Home Value Cost Per Square Foot
$ 75,000     $1.13
$100,000    $1.50
$150,000    $2.25
$200,000    $3.00
$250,000    $3.75
$300,000    $4.50
$350,000    $5.25
$400,000    $6.00
$450,000    $6.75
$500,000    $7.50
$1,000,000 $9.75