Buying carpet can be one of the most expensive purchases the average homeowner will make. In this short post we’ll discuss 5 tips for buying carpet. Read on!
Consider Various Carpet Styles
• Saxony is a popular carpet of dense, level-cut pile clipped to about 1/2 inch high. The closely packed yarns give a soft, smooth surface that is perfect in formal settings
• Textured isn’t as densely tufted as saxony, but also has a very soft feel. Two-toned yarn and an uneven surface give it a casual look suited for any room
• Frieze carpets have a short, durable, twisted pile fiber well-suited for busy areas — it’s often used for commercial purposes.
• Berber features large, uncut loops of natural-tone fibers varying in size and usually made from wool, nylon or olefin.
• Level loop contains tufted, uncut loops of equal height, resulting in a very smooth surface. It’s durable, easy to maintain and a great carpet for high-traffic areas and informal rooms. Source: Lowes
Select Your Carpet Provider with Care
Homeowners need to know what pitfalls to watch out for and how to avoid common carpet buying mistakes, sneaky sales tricks and common sales gimmicks.
I will also show you how to avoid Common Scams and Rip-offs. Read about Common Consumer Carpet Buying Mistakes and pitfalls.
It’s very easy for unsuspecting homeowners to become a victim of a Carpet Scam. To avoid this, you need to be aware of the sneaky tricks carpet sellers use to trick you.
Often times, obtaining accurate measuring is the key to making sure you don’t overpay for materials and labor! Do you like my special Carpet Professor Tape Measure? Only the carpet dealers I personally recommend have them! Make sure you only buy from a Preferred Carpet Dealer! Source: HowToBuyCarpet
Pick the Perfect Padding
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. Source: FamilyHandyman
Compare Color and Patterns
If you will be installing the carpet in a heavily traveled area, such as a hallway, you may want to buy carpet that is darker in color or a multi-colored carpet. Both work well in hiding dirt and stains.
On the other hand, if you are putting your new carpet in the master bedroom you may want to go with a lighter color to keep the room bright and cherry. Source: wikiHow
Understand Maintenance Requirements
One of the best ways to ensure you’ll be satisfied with your new carpet is to stick with carpeting you can maintain easily. Homeowners with young children or dogs and cats may want to avoid hard-to-clean shag or high-end rugs. Stain-resistant carpets can eliminate the frustration associated with spills and may cut your cleaning time.
The type of material and carpet style you choose can also have a major impact on maintenance. Pick textured rugs to conceal footprints and vacuum cleaner tracks. In high traffic areas, look for textured Saxony, level loop or high-density loop carpets to resist dirt and make cleaning easier. You should only install cut pile and multilevel loop carpets in low- to medium-traffic areas, as both of these designs tend to trap dirt and resist cleaning efforts. Source: Home.HowStuffWorks
