Finding the right type of carpet for your home can be difficult. Not only do you want a carpet that matches your home’s style, you also want to make sure that your new carpet is durable and easy to maintain.
There’s nothing worse than laying carpets only to find that the quality isn’t as good as you expected a year later. This is why doing a little bit of carpet research now can save you time, money, and a lot of stress in the long term!
With everything from different types of fiber to the level of thickness to think about, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Luckily, our experts are here to give you the lowdown on everything you need to know before you buy new carpet.
With customers in Alamosa, and all over Southern Colorado — we’ve helped many homeowners find their perfect carpet. Something these customers have all had in common is their desire to find a carpet they could last for years to come.
The fiber of your carpet can make a huge difference to whether or not it’s suitable for your space. Think about it in the same way you would think about other soft furnishings in your home. Many people would avoid having a light-colored velvet sofa in a child's playroom, so what things should also apply to your carpet?
When it comes to carpets, evaluating the most suitable materials for your needs will come down to fiber types. You want the main fibers of your carpet to not only reflect your room's practical function but also satisfy your needs in terms of look, feel, longevity, and budget.
For example, the carpet fibers you select for a hallway where there’s heavy foot traffic may be different from what you choose for a cozy bedroom. But what characteristics of each fiber should you know about?
Some of the most common carpet fibers include:
Carpets made from nylon are known for their durability. Nylon is often treated to be stain-resistant and can even be manufactured to be soft in texture. That said, nylon carpets can vary a lot in terms of quality, so always compare them based on density and warranty before purchasing.
Most people will be familiar with polyester carpets. Polyester tends to be naturally stain-resistant and even though it might not be as durable as fully treated nylon carpet — it offers longevity at a good price point.
Triexta is a relatively new type of carpet fiber to come to the market. Similar to polyester, Triexta has been developed by DuPont and has several eco benefits including the fact that it’s made from up to 37% corn glucose. Largely stain-resistant, Triexta is rising in popularity, fast.
Known for its wool-like appearance, polypropylene tends to be resistant to fading and is known to have water-resistant properties, helping to prevent mold. As a budget-friendly option, polypropylene carpets sell extremely well amongst those moving into a first home or those looking to lay carpet in areas without heavy foot traffic.
As a natural fiber, wool can be a more expensive option. However, as a hypoallergenic material, it’s a popular choice for those wanting a ‘statement carpet’ with a lower risk of allergies. Due to the cost, many people reserve wool carpet for areas such as bedrooms or offices.
Did you know that you can calculate the exact density of your carpet? (Don’t worry most people don’t, and to be honest, you’ll probably never need to more than once!). That said, carpet density is still something that you should think about. More importantly though, it’s something that your carpet supplier should be well-versed in.
As a carpet buyer, you’ll mostly want to think about how your carpet feels underfoot. Have you ever been to a nice hotel and noticed how soft the carpet feels underfoot despite the amount of people who must pass through that room? That’s probably because that hotel has invested in a high-density carpet to withstand wear and tear.
In general, a carpet’s density will be a good indicator of its overall quality. This is due to higher-density carpets having fibers that are more tightly packed and will be less likely to flatten with use. They’ll also be less likely to penetrate dirt, and of course, will be more absorbent.
The Carpet and Rug Institute Inc. recommends a carpet density of around 3,000 or higher for household conditions. For commercial properties, this density should be within a much higher range.
Have you found what you think is the perfect carpet, only to discover that its warranty isn’t what you’d expect? Unfortunately, this is usually a clear sign that your carpet isn’t all it seems.
Aside from a lack of warranty being a red flag in terms of quality, it can also say a lot about your carpet supplier. When investing in carpet for your home or commercial property, you want to trust that your supplier has a high level of customer service and can be held accountable for carpet that doesn’t meet the expectations advertised.
At Del Mar Carpet One in Alamosa, we understand that top-quality carpets should always come with top-quality guarantees. Our flooring products with a Titanium, Platinum, or Gold SelectAFloor™ warranty fall under what we call ‘The Beautiful Guarantee®’. With this guarantee, you can have your flooring replaced (within the time frame of the warranty) with another SelectAFloor™ option of the same category.
While some conditions apply, this warranty is extremely popular amongst our Southern Colorado customers who are always excited to hear about the warranty we offer compared to other suppliers in the area.
We all know that the top half of your carpet is important, but what about the part you can’t see? When it comes to choosing a carpet that will last, good-quality padding is a must.
A carpet cushion is what acts as a kind of ‘underlay’ for your carpet, protecting it from wearing against the base floor. A good cushion will help prevent your carpet from getting worn down easily and helps to keep its fibers in place.
Have you ever moved a wardrobe or desk and noticed marks in the carpet that can be impossible to get rid of? Carpet with good quality cushioning will also help protect it from indentations from heavy furniture, allowing the fibers to spring back into place more naturally.
When it comes to choosing the right flooring for your home, it’s always best to focus on what ticks your individual boxes too. Everyone will want something different from their carpets or hardwood floors, but all that matters is what you want.
If you’re having a difficult time deciding, our expert team in Alamosa will always be happy to help! Not only do we supply flooring and window coverings, we also offer custom kitchen cabinets.
Your home is something that we can help perfect with a range of home interior essentials that don’t just improve your home, they improve your life. Contact us now or visit us in-store.