Shopping for the right carpet is not an easy task. There are many factors to consider. In fact, it is very common for consumers to select the wrong carpet and to spend much more than is really necessary. Consumers planning to buy carpet for their home should take the time to learn about the various types of carpet and padding available and to educate themselves about the basic carpet-buying process prior to beginning their carpet-shopping quest. Here are seven, money-saving, carpet buying recommendations, revealed by Alan J. Fletcher, a 25-year veteran of the carpet business, that will give consumers a valuable head start in making sure they make wise and informed choices selecting carpet for their home.

1. Consider buying carpets made of Nylon

If you want to buy a carpet that will last, consider buying a carpet made of Nylon. Nylon is a strong synthetic fiber used to make about 70% of the world’s carpet. Carpets made of Nylon are easy to clean, and is the most resilient carpet fiber available today. Because Nylon is so resilient, it has the ability to remember and return to its original appearance and shape after being walked upon or crushed. Nylon is a more expensive fiber than Olefin or Polyester, but is well worth the additional expense if you want your carpet to look like new for a long time. Carpeting made from Nylon will typically outperform carpets made from all other types of fibers. Polyester (P.E.T.) is not a resilient fiber and may mat down quickly.

 

2. Buy a carpet with sufficient twist and density

There are many factors to consider when attempting to determine the quality of a carpet. The fiber used, the number of twists and the density are three important factors you need to consider. Twist: When plush carpets are manufactured, fibers are grouped together into tufts and twisted while heated. The more twists each tuft has per inch, the better. Most carpet samples will list the twist rating on the back of the sample. If not, you will have to take a look for yourself. Density: The more tufts there are in each square inch of the carpet, the more dense the carpet pile will be. When inspecting a carpet sample, use your fingers to separate the tufts. Notice how far apart each tuft is spaced from one another. It is harder to see the carpet backing if the tufts are tightly packed together. If you can easily see the carpet backing through the pile, the carpet is not very dense. Obviously, the thicker and more dense the carpet pile is, the more expensive the carpet will be. To get the most value for your money, select a dense, plush style carpet with a pile height that does not exceed ½ inch and with Berber carpets, select a style with smaller loops. The larger looped Berbers tend to collapse, fall over and mat down making the carpet pile appear worn in higher traffic areas. Many Berbers are made of Olefin, while a tough, durable fiber it is not very resilient.

 

3. Comparison-shop to find the best deal.

Carpet is a major purchase for most consumers. Be patient and spend sufficient time shopping for the right carpet that will meet your needs and lifestyle. At each store you shop, keep good notes of what carpets you liked, how much they cost and who your salesperson was. Always "check-out" the samples from one store and take them with you into other carpet stores in order to compare prices and styles. You should visit a minimum of three stores before you make your final carpet selection.

 

4. Be sure to use the right padding.

Installing the wrong padding can cause your carpet to wear out or develop wrinkles prematurely. Often, consumers who hope to obtain a cushy feel will confuse padding thickness with padding density. Thickness and density are two different aspects of padding. For longevity, you want a dense padding, not a thick padding. Rebond padding is a good choice for homeowners and is the most common padding used today. It is made from recycled materials and is reasonably priced. With plush styles of carpet, I suggest you use a maximum padding thickness of 7/16" with a density rating of 6 to 8 pounds. Berber and commercial carpet styles may require ¼" inches thick, high-density fiber or rubber type padding. Check the manufacturer’s requirements to be sure you use the correct padding to prevent voiding the warranty.

 

5. Ask an experienced carpet installer for advice.

A wise carpet installer can provide you with a wealth of information including: where to find a great deal, what would be a good carpet or pad selection for you, how to overcome problems, and they may also know which carpet retailers are fair and those who are not. Check local service directories; ask friends, relatives and co-workers if they know an experienced carpet installer. Often, a local carpet installer will be willing offer his insight and "hands-on" wisdom that could help save you a significant amount of time and money.

 

6. Have a professional measure your home.

Never measure you home yourself unless you are a professional. I suggest having an experienced carpet installer measure your home. There may be a small fee ($25) for the service but many will waive the fee if you hire them to do the installation. Many consumers place their trust in inexperienced salespeople and often end up being charged for more materials than was necessary. Measuring for carpet is not as simple as it seems and an experienced measurer can save you plenty. If you were to be over-charged by just 5 yards of carpet, you stand to lose $100 or more. Under measuring can be a problem too, especially when there is not enough carpet to finish the job. An experienced carpet installer will be able to provide you with the most accurate money-saving measurements.

• Don’t assume the lowest bid is the most accurate bid. Make them provide you with detailed diagrams.
• Never rely solely on the measurements of a single retail carpet salesperson. Get at least two bids
• Always get your home measured by at least two different sources. If they are far apart, get a third.

1. Only use carpet installers with a minimum of 10 years experience.

You must have your carpet installed correctly if you want it to last. Improperly installed carpeting may develop wrinkles and lose as much as half of its life expectancy. Insist that your carpet installer have at least 10 years experience doing work similar to yours. Ask for references, and verify the license, bond and liability insurance if required by your State. Be sure that your installer uses a power stretcher to install your carpet.