Top blog articles
As you look for carpeting for your next remodel, you’ll quickly realize that there are a wide variety of options available to you. Carpeting has come a long way, and everything from outdoor to stain-resistant models are now available to homeowners. How do you know what’s right for your living space? Take the following tips into consideration, and it’ll be a lot easier to choose the best carpet for your home.
Factors to consider
You may already know that you want to go with carpeting for your floors before you even begin the renovation process, but keep in mind that there are several factors to consider.
Certain inhabitants, like pets and children, can increase the risk of staining. Newer varieties of carpet with stain-resistant properties may be the way to go if this is a concern.
Do you need carpeting in a high traffic area? Some varieties are better suited to take the wear and tear than others, depending on their density.
After considering the practicality of your carpeting, you can begin to think about additional features, such as piling and color. At this point, you’ll find that you have a whole slew of choices available to you.
Read more: 8 Things That Ruin Your Carpets and Rugs
Carpeting material and types
You may want to choose one type of carpeting over another based on the durability and comfort you’re looking for. Wool, cotton, and polyester are the most common materials that go into this variety of flooring.
There are two main types of carpeting – staple and bulked continuous filament (BCF), according to the Carpet Buyer’s Handbook. Staple carpets are made up of yarn – small pieces of fiber (cotton, for example) that are twined together. BCF consists of long strands of fiber that have been plied together.
Carpet terminology
Understanding some of the terminology that comes up during the carpet-buying process is essential to making a worthwhile investment. Here are some commonly used terms that you should keep in mind.
- Density – How tightly the yarn is stitched into the backing of the carpet. High-density carpet will be able to handle more traffic over time.
- Pile – The wear surface of the carpeting. This word is often used to describe the “face” of the flooring.
- Tufting – The process in which yarn is stitched into the backing of a carpeting foundation.
- Twist – The number of turns per inch in the direction of the stitched yarns. Think of this as the pattern you see on the carpet.
If you’re unfamiliar with any of terms during the shopping process, make sure you ask the vendor. He or she is your best source of information as you narrow down your options.
Carpet and the environment
Carpeting has the lowest volatile organic compound emissions of common flooring, according to the Carpet and Rug Institute. If you’re concerned about your carbon footprint as you renovate your home, carpet may be the perfect choice for you.
Additionally, low-VOC carpeting may be ideal if you are concerned about the health of your home’s inhabitants, according to the EPA. Volatile organic compounds are responsible for everything from headaches to eye irritation, and they can cause liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage.
In terms of sustainability, shopping for environmentally friendly carpeting is simple. NSF International and the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) have created new standards to inform consumers of carpeting that meet green building requirements.
Through the ANSI/NSF 140 Sustainable Carpet Assessment Standard, designers and homeowners alike can easily identify carpeting that has a reduced environmental impact. It is the first multi-attribute ANSI-approved standard for eco-friendly building materials.
Read more: Top 5 Tips to Choosing the Best Vacuum Cleaner for Your Needs
Making the right choice
After you’ve thought about the factors that will impact your flooring, think about installation. A professional will be able to measure your living space and accurately trim your carpeting to fit the room.
He or she should also be knowledgeable on underlying factors, such as the levelness of the floor and moisture conditions. Mold can potentially grow under the carpet in a damp environment, such as a basement. It’s also important that a pad of the appropriate density be selected and used, as it has a direct effect on the life of your carpet.
After you have the carpeting installed in your newly renovated room, you can begin to enjoy its benefits. Of course, you’ll want to keep maintenance in mind as you make the most of your new flooring. Vacuuming can help you ensure that the high traffic areas of the carpet are maintained over time. Cleaning any stains that occur on the floor as soon as possible can prevent lasting damage.
Every 12 to 18 months, you should have your carpeting professionally cleaned to remove any embedded dirt and grime. Although this type of flooring requires a bit of maintenance, doing so can ensure that you have beautiful flooring for years to come.
Read more: Roman slate stamped concrete
Written by Krystle Vermes. May 11, 2015
Krystle Vermes is a professional writer, podcaster, and creator of GetSpooked.net with a background in both online and print journalism. She graduated from Suffolk University with a bachelor’s degree in print journalism.
Top blog posts
See more >
Recommended
Join our newsletter
Get helpful renovation tips, insightful home maintenance articles, real estate market trends, and more.
Please enter a name
Please enter a valid e-mail
Your opinion matters, leave a comment
The carpets in my house have been getting pretty torn up lately, and we wanted to get them replaced with something better. I really like that you say to look at how tightly the yard is stitched together. It would be nice to know that it won’t be falling apart easily in the end.
I am really glad I stumbled onto your blog! I have never understood carpet terminology before and didn’t know what these words meant as I have been searching for new carpet! Thanks for providing this great info, my carpet search is going to be SO much easier now! Thank you!
I’m trying to find out what color paint is used In your fireplace /living room picture. It that blue/gray paint! What is the name?
I like your tip to look at the ANSI to find great environmentally friendly options. My husband and I are planning on installing some new carpeting, so we are wondering how to find the best one. Since we love environmentally friendly options, we will definitely have to look at the ANSI to find good carpeting.
It’s good to know that carpet can be an environmentally friendly option for flooring. I’ll have to look into low-VOC carpeting, like you suggested. I don’t want any compounds giving me headaches. I didn’t know before that some of the compounds in carpet could cause some health issues. It’s probably important to consider that when choosing the right type of carpet.
It sure is nice to know that there are now stain-resistant carpets that can help prevent stains from pets and children. My wife and I are currently considering adding a new carpet piece to our living room. It just so happens that we just also recently adopted a few puppies from the shelter. I’ll be sure to share this article with her so we can look for carpets that can save us a few headaches in the future.
I did not realize there are so many things to think about when buying carpet like density, twist, and pile. In my opinion, density is extremely important because it will keep the carpet from wearing out quickly and be durable over time. Also, it is good to know that some carpets have stain-resistant properties because I have a dog and young kids who spill and make messes often!