Selecting Carpet: The Choice For Every Walk Of Life

Carpet - nothing looks like it, feels like it or performs like it. And because carpet is a key decorative element in the home and a major purchase, you must keep several factors in mind during your selection process. This informative web page was created to help you make a selection that best suits your home and your budget.

The Look...

Use: Before purchasing carpet or rugs, you need to answer the following questions: How is the room going to be used? Will it have heavy or light traffic? Will the room be the center of activity for family and entertaining? Is there direct access from outside, or will the carpet be away from entrances? Will the carpet receive direct sunlight?

Quantity: To determine the approximate quantity of carpet you will need, multiply the length (feet) of the room by its width (feet), and divide that figure by 9 to obtain the square yardage. Add 10 percent to account for room irregularities and pattern match. It is best to have your retailer or installer make final measurements to ensure that you purchase the correct amount. As professionals, they know how to include hallways and closets, match patterns, plan seam placement, work with room irregularities, and account for rooms with widths greater than 12 feet. (Most carpet is produced in 12 foot widths.) Some dealers may sell by the square foot.

Cost: Your budget and your needs are two key elements in selecting carpet and rugs. There is a wide range of choices and costs from which to make your selection. Ask yourself how long you expect to keep your carpet before replacing it. A better grade of carpet will give you a greater length of service than one of lesser quality. Buy the best carpet you can afford for the heavy traffic areas of your home -- halls, stairs, family rooms. A medium grade will provide good service in rooms with less traffic -- bedrooms and guest rooms.

Ask your retailer to give you a complete cost estimate -- one that includes cushion, installation, moving of furniture, and any special needs that you may have. Keep in mind that a high-quality, professional installation can extend the life of your purchase.

Color: The selection of carpet color is a very personal choice. You will want to select a color that unites your decorative elements and creates the atmosphere you desire. Lighter colors make the room seem larger; darker colors provide coziness. There are also practical considerations in color selection. New stain and soil resistant technology makes today's lighter color carpet much easier to clean, allowing more decorating options. Medium and darker colors, tweeds, and textures will help disguise common soil in your home's high traffic areas.

The Feel...

Textures: Carpet construction - how the yarn is "tufted" or locked into a backing -- affects its texture and ultimately, the long-term durability and appearance of the carpet.

Level loop pile: Loops of equal height. Generally offers long-lasting wear for high-traffic areas. Many of today's popular Berbers are level loop.

Multi-level loop pile: Usually has two to three different loop heights to create pattern effects. Provides good durability.

Cut pile: Loops are cut, leaving individual yarn tufts. Still one of today's most popular constructions, its durability is achieved with factors including the type of fiber, density of tufts, and the amount of twist in the yarn.

Velvets -- Smooth, level surfaces; formal atmosphere. Saxonies -- Various surface finishes; versatile performance and appearance. Textures -- Informal atmosphere; suitable for whole house application. Minimizes footprints. Cut and loop pile: Combination of cut and looped yarns. Provides variety of surface textures, including sculptured effects.

The Performance...

Quality: The type of fiber used and the way the carpet is constructed (loop, cut, etc.) determines the basic performance of the carpet. Quality can be enhanced by the way the fibers, or yarns, are twisted and heat set, and by the density of the tufts.

Performance Glossary:

• Density: Refers to the amount of pile yarn in the carpet and the closeness of the tufts. The denser, the better.
  
• Twist: The winding of the yarn around itself. Should be neat and well-defined. A tighter twist provides enhanced durability.
  
• Heat-setting: The process that sets the twist by heat or steam, enabling yarns to hold their twist over time. Important in cut pile carpet. Most nylon, olefin and polyester cut pile carpets are heat-set.

Area Rugs: Area rugs accent a room's color palette or wall design, or even set the entire mood, character, or period of the room. Area rugs can be made of tufted or woven construction with any of the fibers available. Cut pile carpet can be cut and bound into area rug size and then carved to add dimension and interest.

Carpet Cushion: A firm and resilient carpet cushion is necessary to form a good foundation for your carpet, increasing its comfort and extending its life, by absorbing the impact of foot traffic. Choose cushion not more than 7/16" thick. Cushion also adds insulation and reduces noise.

Choosing a Reputable Retailer: The better carpet retail stores will have knowledgeable staff who will answer your questions and address your concerns. Select a carpet dealer who has a wide selection of samples from which to choose, stands behind the installation, and can help you with maintenance questions. Your friends and neighbors can be a good source for finding a reputable store.

Records of Purchase: Just as with any significant household purchase, you should keep complete records of your carpet purchase for questions or assistance in the future. Consult your dealer for the following information:

Records of Purchase

Take this opportunity to print this page and use the Records of Purchase form to keep track of important information.