Which flooring type is right for you? Part 2: Carpet

When I started this post series, I had said it would be a 9-part series; I didn’t mean for it to take 9 weeks to get the next post up.  Sorry everyone!  Here is Part 2: Carpet.

In part 1 of this series, I gave everyone a list of questions that you should ask yourself before starting a new flooring project, or any major shopping project for that matter.  So do you have your answers? Good!  If you don’t know what we are talking about, you can follow along here.

Ready? Ok, here we go!

1. Why are you replacing your floors?  Carpet may be the perfect solution to a vast array of reasons why you are replacing your floors. It’s quiet, soft, warm, and has great insulating properties.  Carpet comes in literally hundreds of thousands of choices in every possible stye and price point; making it the most versatile flooring product on the market, as with anything you buy, the more money you spend, the better the product will be.  New fiber technologies have created much stronger, durable, and stain resistant carpet than ever before, and like any new technology, they come at a higher price. However, many people consider these new fibers worth the cost, because they tend to last longer than traditional carpet fibers.  So whichever your reason for  replacing your floors, carpet may be the perfect match.

2. What is your decorating style?  Carpet is one of the most versatile flooring products on the market today, you can find a carpet style to fit any decorating style.  If you need something specific, carpet could be the way to go; simply because it comes in thousands of different styles.

3. What is your budget? Every project needs a budget, and again carpet takes the cake in this category. No matter what your budget is, carpet can fit the bill.  There are builder grade carpets for 39 ¢ a square foot, to designer carpets with price tags upwards of $30.00 a square foot.  Higher grade carpets will obviously cost more up front, but they will also last longer.

4.  Which areas in your home are you flooring?  Carpet is great for living rooms, bedrooms, basements, pretty much anywhere in your home, except for the places that see a lot of moisture, like a kitchen or bathroom; or places that see the most traffic in your home, such as a main entryway.  If you have to have something soft underfoot in these areas, opt for an area rug instead, one that can be pulled up and cleaned or easily replaced if needed.

5.  How many people live in these rooms?  For higher traffic areas, such as hallways and living rooms, you’ll want to buy the highest durability rating you can afford.  Also, this is where your padding selection is important; always buy the best pad you can afford.  If you have budget constraints, downgrade your carpet selection and beef up the padding.  The padding protects the carpet fibers from breaking down underfoot. A better pad will ALWAYS make your carpet last longer.  Again, if your budget is tight, you can use a lighter pad in your bedrooms, where the traffic isn’t as high.

6. Do you have children? Or plan to before you replace your floors again?  Most parents that I know want a soft, cushioned floor for the kids to play on.  consider a carpet that is both soft, durable, and stain resistant.

7. Do you have pets?  If you do, you’ll want to take your pet’s special needs into consideration.  For instance, if you have a large dog who is afraid to walk across anything slippery, than you’ll need a carpet to keep him from slipping; or maybe you just brought home a new puppy and still need to house train; carpet might not be for you.  If you are considering carpet, shop for something that is durable and stain resistant.  You also might want to think about color here too; dark colored dog (or cat) hair will definitely stand out on a lighter carpet.  One recommendation that I have, is to be wary of berber carpeting with dogs and cats.  Those pretty loops can get caught on a nail and pull, and when they do, they can pull down an entire row of carpet, leaving you with a lined bald spot in your floor.

8. How long do you want your new flooring to last?  If properly maintained, any carpet will last about as long as the wear warranty, which with a higher end product, could be upwards of 25 years. Great, right?  Ask the people who still have their rust-brown shag from the 70′s that question.  The truth is, carpet styles are very much fashionable and follow trends.  And as with any fashion trend, you might love it today, and hate it tomorrow.

9. Are you prepared for the maintenance and upkeep of your new floor?  Every floor needs maintenance and upkeep, and every warranty stipulations that you need uphold the maintenance schedule, or risk voiding your warranty.  Read the warranty information carefully before buying your carpet so you know what is required of you. Most carpet maintenance guidelines follow this general format:  1. prevention: place small mats inside and outside of your doors to keep dirt and moisture from being tracked around.  2. Vacuuming: The age old rule of thumb to vacuuming is that you should be doing it once a week for every person who lives in the house.  So if you have 3 people living in your home, you should be vacuuming 3 times a week. 3. Spot and spills: clean them up as soon as possible, and with the correct cleaners as described in your warranty information.  4. Professional cleaning: Typically needs to be done every 12 to 24 months, and with a recommended hot-water extraction service; you can find those here.

10. How much do you care about the environment?  I understand this may be a loaded question, but here are some points to show you where carpet lies on the hippie scale:

- Any carpet you buy will be made with and/or treated with chemicals.  They are perfectly safe and will keep your family healthier over the long run; some people may still have a problem with this.  If that’s the case, then carpet may not be for you.

- Some carpets are still being made with virgin material (the horror!) so if you’re looking for recycled or virgin,  you can find them both.

- However, the MAJORITY of carpets today are made with recycled or renewable materials, the selection is vast.

- With the exception of the powerwoven patterned broadloom products that look like oriental rugs, every single carpet (that we carry at least) is manufactured within the United States.

- Carpet provides good air quality for your home. See my article on carpet and allergens here.

- Like the majority of us, you probably are looking for a product that is both green and American made; carpet is a good choice.

So that’s carpet!  I’m pretty sure I’ve hit all the major points; if I’ve missed anything you still might have questions about, let me know.