How to Choose the Right Carpet for Your Needs
Carpet – it seems like such a simple thing. You visit a showroom, look at a few samples, compare prices, and then pay to have it installed. That’s all there is to it, right? Well, not really. The situation’s actually a bit more complicated. There are many different types of carpet out there, not to mention carpet padding, and you need to ensure that you’re making an informed decision when it comes to flooring your home. So, how do you choose the right type of carpet?
Know Your Budget
First, before you do anything else, know how much you have to spend on re-carpeting your home and commit yourself to not exceeding that amount. Now, this covers more than just paying for the carpet itself. You’ll also need to account for things like padding, removing the old carpet, removing any furniture from the space if you cannot do it yourself, labor for installation, and more. Know how much you have to spend, and stick to it.
Carpet Weight
In the world of carpet, the term “weight” refers to a carpet’s density. The greater the weight, the denser and more durable the carpet and the more wear and tear it can handle from foot traffic. As weight goes up, so does cost, though. The good news is that many types of carpet are sold in identical colors and patterns, but different weights. So, you can choose the color and texture you want, and then have different weights installed in different areas of your home to accommodate varying levels of foot traffic.
Color
Color is one of the most important considerations, at least in terms of aesthetics. A highly durable carpet that’s the wrong color may be just as unsatisfactory as a carpet that’s the right color but that falls apart after just a few years. Tie the color of the carpet into the overall aesthetic of the home or even the individual room. However, you may want to avoid very dark and very light colored carpets. Whites and off-whites will show dirt very easily, as will navy blue carpets.
Fiber Type
You’ll discover a wide range of different fiber types used to manufacture carpets today. There’s wool and cotton, but you will also find nylon ad polyester. Each fiber type has its own pros and cons. For instance, wool is incredibly durable in some senses, but easily damaged in others, and requires very specific care. Nylon is very cheap, and relatively durable, and polyester offers easy maintenance and needs little care beyond regular vacuuming.
Work With a Professional
Ultimately, choosing the right type of carpet for your home can be a very daunting prospect. Perhaps the best option is to work with a professional who can explain the various differences in fiber types, show you samples of different carpet types and colors, and ensure that the carpet you install is a great fit for your home and your budget.
