When it comes time to replace your home’s carpeting, there will be a variety of flooring options available to you – so many in fact that the choices may seem endless! Before you go shopping, let us help you get up to speed on the key things that you need to consider.
Pricing: If you have done any preliminary shopping, you likely also know that carpeting prices can vary greatly as well. From the very affordable to the very expensive, carpeting options are available for every budget. While the mantra, “you get what you pay for,” is not necessarily untrue, advancements in fiber technology and construction techniques have yielded higher quality carpeting at all price ranges.
Durability: How long carpeting will last is dependent on several factors, including the carpet pile itself, the fiber, the weight of the fiber, and the density of the pile. Your carpet specialist will be able to provide you with more detailed information about all of these factors to help you make an informed decision.
Location: Where is your new carpeting going and how much traffic will it receive in this location? High traffic areas such as the living room and the main hallway yield a high volume of foot traffic compared to a spare bedroom or a formal living.
Carpet Material: As noted above, a variety of carpet materials exist on the market today. Some of the most common include:
Polyester Carpet: Polyester carpet is generally the most inexpensive of the carpet fibers with the average customer cost per square foot ranging from $1.50 – $3.50. It is available in all carpet styles – frieze, pattern, loop, etc. However, the flooring tends to, “lay down and stay done” in heavy use areas, giving the appearance of looking worn and tired much faster than with other carpeting options. In addition, direct sunlight tends to fade polyester carpet quickly.
While it is much tougher and more stain resistant than it was twenty years ago, polyester carpet still has a lifespan of only 3-5 years. As such, polyester carpet is best suited for quick, budget sensitive remodels in which the carpet will likely be replaced within a few years regardless or for spaces that see minimal foot traffic.
Bottom Line: While polyester can look and feel good upon purchase, and present a price tag that leaves consumers’ pocketbooks hurt free as well, it is typically not a good long-term performer.
Nylon Carpet: Nylon carpet is the most purchased carpet fiber with ninety-percent of the market share. Inherently resilient and stain resistant, nylon carpet is great for long-term use as it continues to perform year after year. While typically more expensive than other carpet types (ranging anywhere from $1.00 – $14.00 per square yard), nylon is very fade resistant and often considered the softest of all synthetic fibers.
Bottom Line: While pricier than other flooring options, nylon is ideal for high traffic areas or active families who anticipate a great deal of wear and tear. To help reduce costs, look for unbranded or generic nylon options.
Look out for next week’s post regarding what lies beneath – carpet pads!