Carpet Buying Guide

Let’s start with the facts in your household, how many kids do you have? How old are your kids? Are you staying in this house for awhile? How many pets? Dogs, Cats or a Pot Belly Pig, these are all some of the questions you have to consider when it comes to determining which carpet will best fit your needs.

Today’s carpets are available in a wide range of fiber types, textures, patterns, weights, densities and backings.

• nylon carpet
• polyester carpet
• olefin
• wool
• acrylic
• cotton
• rayon

Nylon: Nylon is the most popular and represents two-thirds of the pile fibers used in the United States. Nylon fibers are wear-resistant, resilient and provide brilliant color. Nylon fibers withstand the weight and movement of furniture and are generally good for all traffic areas. Nylon is also a great choice for the home because it resists soils and stains.

Olefin (polypropylene): Olefin fibers are strong, resist wear and permanent stains and are easily cleaned. These fibers are colorfast. Olefin resists static electricity and is often used in both indoor and outdoor installations because of its resistance to moisture and mildew. Olefin is used in synthetic turf for sports surfaces and in the home for patios and game rooms. Many Berbers are made of olefin.

Polyester: Polyester is noted for luxurious, soft “hand” when used in thick, cut-pile textures. It has excellent color clarity and retention, cleans easily and is inherently stain resistant.

Wool: Wool is noted for its luxury and performance. It is soft, has high bulk and is available in many colors and patterns. Generally, wool is somewhat more expensive than synthetic fibers.

Carpet Padding – Most residential carpet is installed over a separate cushion that makes the carpet softer and more resilient underfoot, reduces noise, provides a little thermal insulation and prolongs carpet life. Cushion may be made from any of several materials, including various types of natural and synthetic fibers and urethane.

A firm and resilient carpet cushion is necessary to form a good foundation for your carpet, increasing its comfort and extending its life by acting as a shock absorber when someone walks on the carpet. The cushion, or pad, helps buffer sound and provides increased insulation, making a room quieter and warmer.

Carpet Seam Sealers – this is a must, if one of my installers doesn’t use a seem sealer, well, they may not have a job.   All Carpet Seams – HAVE to be seam sealed, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Carpet provides actual thermal resistance, or R-value. In colder climates or seasons such as we have in Chicago and Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, it retains warm air longer, an energy conservation benefit. Carpet also provides a comfortable place to sit, play or work and give any room an a warmer feeling.