What carpet should i buy

If you can, pop into a carpet store to see it with your own eyes, or have a sample sent out to you. The pile is how long the fibres of the carpet are — the longer the pile, the shaggier the carpet. When it comes time to hit the carpet store, there are some things to check to make sure your carpet of choice is up to the job.

Density refers to the amount of pile yarn in the carpet and how close the tufts are to one another. Check the density by bending the carpet sample in a U shape with the tufts facing out. The less carpet backing you see, the denser the carpet. As a rule, the denser, the better. Density is part of the durability story — the quality of the fibre and construction also contribute, and that can be hard for the average punter to gauge.

It's a voluntary industry labelling and grading system for carpets of all fibres and is used by all the major suppliers. Carpets carry a star-rating out of six for residential use four for commercial or contract use which shows how well it performed in independent wear and performance tests. The label also says whether the carpet should be used in areas of light, medium, heavy or extra heavy traffic. Get a heavy-duty rating for high-traffic areas such as stairs, halls, entranceways, the kids' playroom, the path between the sofa and the fridge Lighting and surrounding colours and materials will influence how your carpet looks in your home.

Take samples home and check them in each room under different lighting conditions — natural daylight, artificial lighting, candlelight, disco lights or any other lighting you use. Underlay can help your carpet last longer, absorb sound, cover minor bumps and holes in the floor and provide insulation. Choose it when you buy your carpet. You'll probably choose between foam underlay and rubber underlay.

Underlay varies in quality, so stand on it to test that it feels firm but comfortable — you shouldn't be able to feel the floor with the heel of your shoe. You might have to compromise, as natural fibres can be less stain resistant - not ideal when you have children or pets. Your best bet is to look for a good quality polyester and wool blend, as the combination of fibres will give you a more natural feel but with better stain resistance.

A twist style will be good at hiding dirt, and is a good choice for areas with lots of comings and goings, because they don't show footprints or vacuum marks. This will be more durable than other synthetic materials, so it works well in areas with a lot of foot traffic.

A twist style is a good choice for stairs, hallways and landings, as they don't show footprints. These are durable materials that will work well in areas with lots of foot traffic. Just bear in mind that natural fibres aren't very stain resistant, so make sure everyone wipes their feet when they come in through the door. Coir can also feel rough underfoot, so check how it feels if you tend to walk around barefoot. Loop and Berber style carpets are generally hard-wearing, so would work well in areas with lots of foot traffic.

KM Kate Martin. In this article Why choose carpet? Choosing a carpet pile Woven and tufted carpets Choosing the best carpet materials Which type of carpet should you choose? The main things to consider are: How much you want to spend. Who and what will be walking on the carpet. High-traffic areas, such as hallways, will benefit from more durable materials. If you've got children or you like to entertain, you'll need something that's easy to clean, while pets with claws will rule out looped carpets that can easily snag.

The look and feel you're after. The way your carpet is made will affect how it looks — from glossy and plush, to tight and dense — and how it feels underfoot. Think about whether you want a soft pile you can sink your toes into or something flatter and more stable. Sisal is rough underfoot but is known for being hard-wearing. Its big drawback is that it can easily stain or get watermarks. Jute is less durable than sisal, but also softer, making it a better choice for bedrooms.

Which type of carpet is right for you? A polypropylene saxony carpet would be a good choice for you. A polyester saxony carpet would be a good choice for you. A velvet-style carpet made with nylon would be a good choice for you. A seagrass carpet would be a good choice for you. You might have to compromise, as natural materials can be expensive. You should consider one of the better quality synthetics, such as nylon or polyester.

A polypropylene twist carpet would be a good choice for you. A polyester twist carpet would be a good choice for you. A polyester carpet in a twist, loop or Berber style would be a good choice for you. A luxurious style like a saxony may work better, as it can look more expensive than it is. A nylon twist would be a good choice for you. You might have to compromise, as natural fibres can be expensive. You should consider one of the better quality synthetics, such as nylon. A wool mix or seagrass carpet would be a good choice for you.

A wool or coir carpet could be a good choice for you. Which room do you want to use the carpet in? What's your budget? What kind of material would you like your carpet to be made of? How to choose a carpet Which type of carpet should you choose?

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In the market for a new carpet? Here are the different fibers and styles to consider as well as questions to answer before you buy. Choosing a new carpet for a room in your home involves more than finding a style in the color you like. You first will need to consider your lifestyle—what you typically do in that room—location, material, construction, and upkeep.

Carpet manufacturers have responded to homeowners' desire for great looks, value, and easy maintenance with many innovations and options in recent years. The type of fiber used determines the basic performance and appearance of the carpet.

The biggest trend today is: soft. Homeowners seek comfort, and carpet offers a cushion underfoot. It also suppresses noise. The fiber content is usually listed on a specification sheet on the back of the sample.

While names may differ among manufacturers, products still fall within one of five basic categories. Wool, the granddaddy of all soft floorcoverings, retains its legacy of luxury. Natural and made from woven construction, it offers a greater range of designs, detail, and color than a traditional tufted carpet. Expect good stain resistance as long as you treat it as soon as something is dropped on it. It also has inherent flame retardant characteristics.

Nylon comes a close second to wool in terms of performance and feel, but on average it costs less. This versatile fiber offers plenty of variety in styles and construction: frieze, textured, shag, loop cut loop LCL all can be made from nylon. It has excellent soil resistance, colorfastness and resilience, which allows it to bounce back, making it a suitable just about anywhere.

Some of it can be recycled once into another nylon carpet if the manufacturer so chooses. Because it is solution-dyed, it will not fade, making it good for rooms that get a lot of light or traffic from the outside or from a cholorinated pool. Because it is less resilient than nylon, it is best used in low-pile carpets such as berbers low, loop-pile carpeting with flecks of different colors. Polyester is noted for its soft hand, or texture, especially when used in a luxurious thick pile.

It is a good value choice, as its styling attributes are competitive with nylon—it can be made into loop or cut loop, and it takes color extremely well.

But it's not as resilient. Soil resistant and easy to care for, it's suitable for bedrooms as well as playrooms. Everstrand , a polyester carpeting from Mohawk , has been manufactured by a process that uses recycled soda bottles since