Everything You Need To Know About Choosing the Best Carpet For Your Home

With the huge number of carpet types out there, it’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed. It’s also fair to ask “why do I need a carpet for my flooring? Aren’t those outdated? What about carpet tiles?”. Both are fair questions that are worth exploring. Carpeting can be a great addition to any home and fits well with many different aesthetics.

But before you start installing your very own wall-to-wall 1970s-style shaggy carpet, there are a few things you should know. As it turns out, there are plenty of cool ways to make your home classier with some elegant carpeting options.

Important Terms 

Before getting started on your carpet-choosing journey, it’s a good idea to get acquainted with the terms of the trade. These terms are commonly used to describe carpet materials and designs. It is best to read up on these to better understand the features and benefits of each carpet type. 

Twist

Twist counts the number of times carpet fibers turn in a 1-inch length. In other words, one twist means one twist per inch of fiber. Higher twist counts mean a stronger carpet material that can better deal with heavy foot traffic and resist crushing.

PAR Rating 

The PAR Rating is meant to measure the appearance and strength of carpeting. It is based on a one to five rating scale, and a higher score means a stronger carpet that can retain its appearance and shape for longer. In other words, a PAR 5 carpet is a high-quality one. 

Density

This is an indicator of how densely packed a carpet’s fibers are. A high-density carpet is more durable and can also be more stain-resistant. A good example of a high-density carpet is Berber, which is famous for its resilience. 

Face Weight 

Face weight is a measure of the density of fiber on the surface of the carpet. It is essentially a measure of how plush a carpet is. The higher the face weight of a carpet, the softer it is and the more durable it is.

What Is the Face Weight of a Carpet?

Fiber

You’ve already heard this word said a few times, but what does it mean in the context of carpets? Simply put, fiber is the carpet material itself, which is typically made up of many individual fibers. These fibers can be spun together to create ply yarn, where single fibers are twisted together. For example, four-ply yarn is made up of fibers that have been folded over four times and attached to a woven backing.   

Texture

This refers to the style in which the fibers are folded, twisted, looped, and/or cut. The texture of a carpet will determine its look and feel. Certain textures are more resilient than others, and others are plusher or less plush.  

Carpet Tiles

Also known as modular carpets, these cool floor coverings are made up of squares that are put together to make up a carpet. The average size of these squares is 50x50 cm, and many carpet tiles can even come in other shapes such as triangles or hexagons. This makes installation and customization simpler and offers the same durability as traditional carpets.

Carpet Tiles Are Durable and Easy to Install

Carpet Materials 

Carpets are typically made from a series of different materials which come with their benefits and downsides. When you choose your carpet material, take the smart route by getting at least three different estimates. Prices can vary, and it’s best to go for the best deal you can get. In addition to price, check the quality of construction and carpet installation quality. Low-quality carpets will be too thin, have weak seams, and stretch too much. These deficiencies can lead to premature wear which will make any carpet lose its like-new sheen fast.

Getting Familiar With Carpet Materials

Triextra

This unconventional fiber material is as cool as it is new. This is a material that is derived from corn sugar, making it more sustainable when compared to artificial materials such as polyester. It also comes with several cool benefits. Thanks to its hydrophobic nature, Triextra has pretty good anti-stain properties because it doesn’t easily absorb liquid spills.

Because of this, Triextra is also quite easy to clean and does not require any special machinery or products. Triextra is also quite a durable and resilient material that can last a long time even with heavy use.

The Advantages of Triextra Carpets

Polyester

Polyester carpeting is made mostly from recycled plastics. That’s good news because it means that this carpet material can be recycled again when it gets old. As a carpet material, it is well known for being stain-resistant (good news in case doggo has an accident!), cushy, and long-lasting. It is also quite affordable, although it does need to be replaced more frequently. Polyester isn’t ideal for places with lots of foot traffic as it tends to shed faster than other materials.

Polyester is known for its Affordability and Stain-Resistance

Olefin

Cheap, stain-proof, and durable. When it comes to something simple that lasts a long time, you can’t get much better for the money. Olefin doesn’t last as long as nylon, but it is still a good option for a high-traffic area because it can stand up to almost anything. Thanks to it’s low-level of moisture absorption, olefin is less susceptible to mold and mildew — and it's stain-resistant, too. However, olefin does tend to be rather easily damaged if you drag heavy items across it.

Avoid Dragging Heavy Items Across Olefin Carpets

Nylon 

Nylon is by far the most resilient carpet material. The high strength of nylon fibers means that they can easily withstand daily wear and tear. Nylon is also the most stain-resistant carpet material and is the most ideal material to use for a place with a lot of foot traffic such as a staircase. However, even the most durable carpet material has some downsides. Nylon is a fully synthetic material and is rather difficult to dispose of sustainably. It can also be rather costly, though this cost is more than worth it if you’re looking for something heavy-duty.

Nylon Is Prized for its Durability

Carpet Construction 

Carpets also come in a few different “constructions”, meaning that they are manufactured in different ways. 

Plush

Plush construction is made up of closely packed yarn which makes for a smooth and soft surface that fits perfectly with a variety of carpet styles. From traditional to Scandinavian styles, plush carpets are well at home thanks to their distinctive elegant appearance.

However, the fancy look of plush carpeting comes at the cost of durability. This type of carpeting is prone to showing footprints, marks from a vacuum cleaner, and seams. As such it isn’t the best choice if you want a carpet construction that can stand up to heavy use.

Plush Carpets Offer a Unique Aesthetic

Shag 

Everybody loves a classic, and that’s exactly what shag carpeting is. Shag carpets were quite popular in the 1970s, but they can still be pretty cool today if you’re going for a neo-retro look. While not everyone likes its shaggy looks, there are some groovy reasons to like this carpet type.

For one, it’s quite durable and does well in high-traffic areas. Because its fibers curl in different directions, shag carpeting can easily hide footsteps and marks from vacuum cleaners.

Shag Carpets Never Seem to Go Out of Style

Berber

This is a carpet construction that is made with many strands of yarn which can be made in almost any color. Berber is denser than others which gives it a unique look. It also has good stain resistance and carpet durability. However Berber carpet is more prone to snagging, and can therefore get damaged if heavy items are dragged over it. It can also snag on an over-active pet’s claws, causing damage over time.

Berber Carpets Offer Durability and Visual Appeal

Textured

When it comes to being cushy and soft, textured carpets give plush ones a run for their money. These carpets are made with two-toned yarn that is tightly woven together. This tight-twist construction makes textured carpeting highly stain-resistant and gives the carpet an uneven surface.

Unlike plush carpets, the textured variety tends to be more casual, and that’s reflected in the fact that it’s less temperamental. These qualities make textured carpets perfect for families so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular carpet constructions.

Textured Carpets Are Common Among Many Households

Patterned

This is the carpet construction for those that are aiming for a more eclectic look for their home. Patterned carpets come in a combination of cut and loop fibers. That makes it easy to choose any patterns, colors, or textures that you want.

These different colors make patterned carpeting more stain-resistant since stains are less likely to show up with different colors. The patterns on these carpets look like they’ve been cut into the carpet and usually come in different hues of the same color, perfect for a bohemian aesthetic.

The Aesthetic Benefits of Patterned Carpets