How To Pick Carpet That Actually Lasts

With so many options for carpet, how do you know what's good and what's not? Is expensive better? Is cut pile is better than looped? Maybe colors matter? Actually, there's several things to consider besides color and feel. Here's what to know:

Wear:

This comes down to the backing of the carpet. Every type of carpet is made with a mix of fibers and that mix is a strong indicator on how well it will last. Best to worst goes like this:

Wool: The natural fibers are strong and breathable and hold up forever if taken care of properly (there's still wools from the 1700's around!) What surprises most people is that carpet breathes a lot and plastic, aka poly, mix backing doesn't allow for that as much as natural fibers do, which is why they wear out so much faster.

Nylons: The best way to think of these are like nylon climbing ropes. They have high strength and tension that can hold up against wear.

Poly blend: These are best compared to a rubber band; they stretch but over time will wear out and lose their shape, which is what leads indentations, wear marks, and bubbles.

Polypropylene: This is usually only found in commercial carpets. It’s another type of poly blend that isn’t as durable as other options like nylons. Companies opt for this type of carpet because of its affordability instead of its strength.

Density:

Most samples have density scales or star ratings on the back. Density changes how plush a carpet feels and indicates how tight the carpet is stitched to the backing. The tighter the better.

If you are redoing your home, it's best to think in terms of spaces. High traffic spaces like hallways, entrances, and stairs, should have the densest carpet to combat the heavy traffic. Other spaces like bedrooms, can have less dense carpet because of the reduced traffic flow.

High traffic areas and homes with kids should aim for a carpet density of 3 and above. Other rooms like bedrooms are okay at a 2-3 density level.

Style:

Of course, it's always important to find a carpet that is durable yet matches your personal style. There's hundreds and hundreds of options for carpets, so much so that it’s impossible to cover them all at one.

However, here are some of the most common general types and some further things to consider:

Berber: This is a looped carpet that requires a firm pad (like stair runners), which adds to the stiff feeling of the carpet. Unfortunately, this is one of those cases where cheaper actually IS worse. So, if you’re looking for a berber that can handle wear go for an option that is middle of the road or expensive. The quality is immensely better! However, please note that this, and any looped carpet, is NOT a good option for a home with pets because their nails will catch in the loops and cause runs.

Cut Pile: This is your standard “fluffy” looking carpet. With this kind of carpet, you can use a variety of pads underneath which will increase or decrease the feeling of plushness depending on how thick the chosen pad is. Overall, this type tends to be good for homes with pets and kids as long as it has a 3+ durability rating. Additionally, it’s affordable and easily maintained so it’s also great for those that want durable comfort but are on a budget.

Wool: This is definitely a higher-end option. Wools can come in 3 types: wool face, wool blend, or pure wool. If you’re looking for something that will truly last, these are the best of the best. Wool face and wool blends are great choices for people that would like the look and feel of wool, without the price tag of pure wool.

Final Note:

All in all, there is so much to consider when picking out carpet for your home that it can feel overwhelming. By understanding the actual make up of carpets, and what makes some stronger than others, you can cut through a lot of the bad options. Use this post for reference to help you determine what’s the best fit for you.