HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT CARPET
Most homeowners pick carpet in the showroom by the way it looks and feels. Just because it makes a good first impression doesn't mean it will hold up under attack from heavy traffic, spills, snow and ice, mud, and pet accidents which will occur over the life of the carpet.
Nothing affects the life of a carpet more than the fiber its made from.
Let's start with the best:
Wool is the best. It is the gold standard of carpet. It is extremely dense and luxurious. It is also the most expensive. Oriental throw rugs are often made from wool. They vacuum so well that years go by before they begin to look dirty. Wool is easy to identify because when it is wet, it smells like sheep. The fact that it is almost $100.00 per square yard keeps most buyers away.
Nylon was developed to replace wool. It has gone through 5 generations of change to improve it. Many will remember the first generation because you could shuffle your feet across it and deliver a nice shock to someone. The fifth generation of DuPont Nylon is an excellent buy. It comes in a wide variety of colors, has a pleasant feel, and will last some 15 to 20 years if vacuumed on a regular basis and cleaned professionally annually.
There are many cheap nylons available and they will last 5 to 10 years no matter how they are cared for.
Olefin is also known as polypropylene. It is made from recycled plastic. Olefin lacks the soft feel of nylon but it is moisture and mildew resistant. It's a good choice for the basement, back porch and even an outside patio. Olefin is relatively inexpensive at 8 to 25 dollars per square yard. It is also an excellent choice for a family with children where replacement is expected every 5 or so years.
Polyester is one of the least expensive selections of carpet you can make. Generally 10 to 15 dollars per square yard, it is soft and luxurious, but it is also made from recycled plastic and is prone to leaving furniture dents. It will also crush in the traffic areas within several years.
In summary:
Wool is the best. 5th generation nylon is great. Looped is always more durable than cut pile. One other trick is to press your finger into the carpet; if it is dense and no finger dents appear, then it is of a better quality. Olefin is slightly better than polyester. However, both will not perform over the long run if traffic is anything more than light.
Remember that whatever selection you make, vacuuming daily, or at least every other day, is the best way to maximize your carpet's life.
Most homeowners pick carpet in the showroom by the way it looks and feels. Just because it makes a good first impression doesn't mean it will hold up under attack from heavy traffic, spills, snow and ice, mud, and pet accidents which will occur over the life of the carpet.
Nothing affects the life of a carpet more than the fiber its made from.
Let's start with the best:
Wool is the best. It is the gold standard of carpet. It is extremely dense and luxurious. It is also the most expensive. Oriental throw rugs are often made from wool. They vacuum so well that years go by before they begin to look dirty. Wool is easy to identify because when it is wet, it smells like sheep. The fact that it is almost $100.00 per square yard keeps most buyers away.
Nylon was developed to replace wool. It has gone through 5 generations of change to improve it. Many will remember the first generation because you could shuffle your feet across it and deliver a nice shock to someone. The fifth generation of DuPont Nylon is an excellent buy. It comes in a wide variety of colors, has a pleasant feel, and will last some 15 to 20 years if vacuumed on a regular basis and cleaned professionally annually.
There are many cheap nylons available and they will last 5 to 10 years no matter how they are cared for.
Olefin is also known as polypropylene. It is made from recycled plastic. Olefin lacks the soft feel of nylon but it is moisture and mildew resistant. It's a good choice for the basement, back porch and even an outside patio. Olefin is relatively inexpensive at 8 to 25 dollars per square yard. It is also an excellent choice for a family with children where replacement is expected every 5 or so years.
Polyester is one of the least expensive selections of carpet you can make. Generally 10 to 15 dollars per square yard, it is soft and luxurious, but it is also made from recycled plastic and is prone to leaving furniture dents. It will also crush in the traffic areas within several years.
In summary:
Wool is the best. 5th generation nylon is great. Looped is always more durable than cut pile. One other trick is to press your finger into the carpet; if it is dense and no finger dents appear, then it is of a better quality. Olefin is slightly better than polyester. However, both will not perform over the long run if traffic is anything more than light.
Remember that whatever selection you make, vacuuming daily, or at least every other day, is the best way to maximize your carpet's life.
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