Which Carpet Is Right For You?

For most homeowners, it is not a question of if but where and what kind of carpeting they want in the home. With a wide range of designs, colors, and materials to choose from, picking the right carpet can be a complicated task. You want a durable, quality product that fits not only your budget but also your lifestyle. It should complement your home's architecture and furnishings, reflect your taste, be easy to care for and be suitable for the specific activities and amount of usage intended for the given space.

To help you navigate the selection process, we've put together some insightful information to assist you in making the perfect carpet choices for your home.

• Location – Deciding on which areas will be carpeted is your first step. When making this decision, bear in mind that carpeting in high-traffic areas or adjacent to entranceways will be subject to more wear and soiling, and therefore will require greater upkeep. The most popular rooms for carpeting are bedrooms, living rooms, playrooms, and hallways.
• Size – Next, you'll want to calculate the area's square footage (s) to be covered. A rough estimate is fine. The purpose of this is to help you determine your budget, plus it will be valuable information for your carpet dealer, who will take care of making all the final exact measurements. To measure square footage, multiply the length of the area by the width. To make that calculation easy, always round up to the nearest half-foot and use decimals. For example, if an area measures 5'10" x 10'4", you would multiply 6 x 10.5, giving you a rough estimate of 63 square feet.
• Budget – Next, decide how much you want to spend. Having a dollar figure in mind is also critical information for your carpet dealer, who will lead you to the best choices based on your budget and the area's size to be covered.

Pile – There are three types of carpet pile: loop, cut, and a combination cut-and-loop. 

• A loop-style pile has the ends connected to the backing. This is typically a short, tight, dense carpet where you can see the loop. A cut-style pile has a distinctly different look and feel to it, as each piece is sheered, often twisted, and the ends are visible.
• Cut pile is a softer, taller, more cushiony carpet and the more popular choice for bedrooms and living rooms, whereas loop pile is a better choice for heavily trafficked areas such as foyers, finished basements, and areas where wear-and-tear is a concern. 
• The combination style of cut-and-loop uses both types of the pile to create a more distinctive design and pattern (an example of this is Berber carpet) and maybe a great way to add dramatic flair to a room. Cut-and-loop is also a great choice for commercial areas.

• Nylon is by far the most popular, as it is soft, strong, durable, holds its shape well, and is pest, mold, allergen, and stain-resistant. 
• Polyester a bit less expensive than nylon. It is easy to clean, allergen and stain-resistant, soft, and durable; however, it is more prone to fading than nylon and may be more susceptible to flattening in higher traffic areas.
• Polypropylene is the least expensive. It is not as soft and less durable than the other options, but it offers great color retention and is water-resistant, making it a good choice for areas that get a lot of sunlight or are subject to dampness, like outdoor areas and basements.
• Natural fiber is sometimes used as well, namely wool. Wool is a "green" choice, beautiful, and lasts longer than synthetic choices, but it is also more susceptible to mold and mildew and can be much more expensive.

Carpets come in every color of the rainbow, as well as a wide variety of patterns. Before you decide on one, consider what will work best with your décor. Also, consider the fact that you are likely to redecorate a room before you change the carpet, so it is wise to select a color and pattern compatible with a range of different wall colors and furnishings. Neutral shades are most popular for these reasons and are also a better choice if you consider selling your home in the future. 

Next, it's time to select a carpet dealer. To get the best pricing, discuss your goals, options, and budget with more than one seller.

• Ask For Quotes – Let the dealer know that you are speaking with more than one seller. When a dealer understands that they are competing for your business, you'll likely be offered their best deal.
• Inquire About Quality – Certain traits make some products preferable to others. Ask about face weight (the higher the face weight, the more resilient the carpet will be); tuft twist (the more twists in the fiber, the more durable it will be); the density rating (the higher, the better); ask if it is BCF or Staple Construction (staple fibers tend to shed more than BCF); padding (in general, it should be between 1/4 inch and 7/16 inch thick and 6 pounds per cubic feet density for cut pile and no more than 3/8 inch thick and 8 pounds density for low-profile styles like Berber). Lastly, ask about the warranty.
• Ask What Is Included – The best carpet dealers offer an all-inclusive service. Your purchase should include:
• Installation
• Padding
• Moving of furniture (before and after installation)
• Removing and disposal of old carpet and padding, if applicable
• Baseboard removal and replacement
• Stairs and transitions

Prepared with this valuable information, you'll be ready to make a smart, informed carpet choice for your home. When it comes to carpet and floor cleaning and maintenance, don't forget to choose Hammond Cleaning Solutions, your local, top-rated carpet-and-rug cleaning experts. We can keep your carpet looking brand new for years to come.