SHOP ALL CARPET

Why choose carpet

The soft comfort of carpeting can turn a cold, colorless room into a warm, inviting space. Carpet remains a favorite flooring choice and must-have design detail for many, including family-friendly households looking for a safe, slip-resistant floor and aspiring musicians who need a sound-dampening floor for an at-home studio.

Types of carpet

You have a variety of styles to consider when you're ready to buy carpet. Do you want a velvety plush carpet that your feet sink into or a firm, industrious loop option that holds up to a busy home or office? Patterned and textured carpets do double duty, adding dimension to your design while also hiding all evidence of foot traffic. Cut and twisted frieze can turn a casual living room or bedroom into a cozy, contemporary escape.

About carpet

Deciding on the perfect carpet for your home can feel daunting, like a laundry list of important decisions. What style best compliments your decor? What pile height best serves your family's activities? Then there are the carpet fibers and color, not to mention carpet installation.

Fortunately, it doesn't have to be such a daunting process. At Carpet One Floor & Home, experienced flooring experts can walk you through the process and the various carpets on sale.

Carpet pile types

• Loop - Loop carpet fibers are low pile and have no exposed yarn tips, leading to a firmer feel underfoot. Berber carpet is a common loop style.
• Cut - This pile features cut loops that create a soft, level surface. Short, densely-packed cut fibers are called plush, while longer cut twisted fibers are known as frieze. It's a modern take on shag carpeting, which features a long cut pile.
• Cut and loop - This pile type combines some loop fibers with some cut fibers to create a textured pattern. This hides dirt and wear better than some other styles, so you can spend less time cleaning your floors and more time enjoying game night with your family! Cut and loop works well in high-traffic areas, especially when used with a durable fiber. Pile height can be level or uneven, depending on the pattern.

Types of carpet fibers

• Nylon is a popular carpet fiber, offering superior durability and softness compared to other synthetic materials. It's safe from mildew and mold, holds color beautifully, and resists stains when treated. Nylon's also known for its impressive bounce back from footprints and other tracks made by your kiddos and pets.
• Polyester is another favorite, especially among allergy sufferers who appreciate its hypoallergenic quality. This synthetic fiber repels moisture and resists stains and odors. It has an eco-friendly version called PET polyester, which is made from recycled plastic bottles and boasts the same beneficial characteristics.
• Olefin is a synthetic carpet material that's water resistant, making it easier for you to clean. This also explains why it's often used as carpet for indoor/outdoor spaces and recreation areas.
• Wool carpet features the soft natural fibers sheared from sheep, making it the premier renewable fiber along with being biodegradable. Wool fibers are naturally water resistant and stabilize humidity by absorbing or releasing moisture during periods of high/low humidity.

Appearance

The carpet material, style, and cut all contribute to the overall appearance of your home's flooring. With carpet, you can choose from an array of colors, patterns, textures, and nuanced hues, ranging from earthy neutral tones to bold saturated shades.

Some carpet fibers hold color better than others, especially synthetic fibers like polyester. Many are solution dyed during their production process, so colors are vibrant and fade resistant. That means no worrying about fading in living rooms and other spaces with large windows and lots of natural light.

Durability and maintenance

To ensure maximum durability, consider a room and how it's used when selecting a carpet material and style. Putting a more delicate design like frieze in a well-worn area such as a central staircase can lead to disappointment when it's quickly matted or dull.

Keeping your carpet well maintained helps you get the most from your investment. It's as simple as vacuuming at least once a week to remove dirt or debris. Use a vacuum with adjustment height and beater bars, as different carpet pile types call for different heights.

If a spill or accident occurs, treat it immediately by following the manufacturer's care instructions. If you know it's only a matter of time before your nephew drops his juice, there are waterproof carpet products available.

Lifespan

Longevity doesn't vary much between the types of carpet available, but there are several factors that do impact its age. These include:

• Where it's installed and the amount of traffic it receives
• How it's installed and the materials used
• How often and well you maintain the carpets
• If you follow the manufacturer guidelines

When you're deciding on the best carpet for your home, look into the warranty protection available to ensure you get the most from your new flooring investment for years to come.

Carpet installation

The process of carpet installation may look effortless, but it requires patience, strength, and the right tools. It's better to save yourself the headache and leave it to professional installers who can make sure it's installed properly and in accordance with your product warranty.

Most carpet benefits from an underlay or pad, which goes down on top of your clean, dry floor. The process involves measuring and cutting the carpet before the pros stretch it out, remove wrinkles, and tack it down.

Advantages and disadvantages of carpeting

The benefits that carpeting offers are hard to resist.

• Luxurious, soft carpet lends a warmth that can't be replicated with other flooring options.
• The styles and colors available are endless, so you'll have no trouble finding a perfect and affordable fit for your family's design aesthetic.
• The thick carpet material naturally dampens sound and insulates, both from temperature and potentially dangerous falls.
• The comfort underfoot is unmatched to other flooring alternatives.

The disadvantages to adding carpet in your home are numbered.

• Carpet does require regular vacuuming as well as cleaning according to your warranty.
• Carpet may be more time-consuming to maintain regularly, especially if you've got wall-to-wall carpeting throughout your home.
• It can easily retain moisture if you don't realize there's a leak somewhere or you leave a spill unattended for too long.
• Carpet fibers are conducive to dust mites, pet dander, and other pests and allergens if you don't regularly vacuum and clean.

Wall-to-wall carpeting

If you're looking to carpet an expansive space, you may benefit from wall-to-wall carpeting. This carpet type is manufactured in long, wide rolls, making installation a little easier. And if you're wondering if this will limit your choices, the answer is no!

Technology has advanced so much, allowing carpet manufacturers to create the most intricate and beautiful patterns. You can now make the carpet the focal point and design around it!

Frequently asked questions

What is the best grade of carpet?

There are three general grade categories, with high-end carpets delivering more quality and durability. High-end carpets are usually made of wool and may have intricate patterns. Medium grade is the standard carpet found in most single-family homes, and low grade is generally referred to as builder grade and has the shortest lifespan.