Carpet – Before You Buy

Carpet – Things to know before you buy.

The more you know about something, the better able you are to make a smarter purchase
decision.

The same can be said when buying carpet. Knowing about carpet specifics, characteristics, and
about its traits can be of great value.

Choosing the best carpet is all about knowing the right combination of characteristics, aesthetics,
performance and budget, to best meet the needs of your lifestyle.

We want you to know all of the important carpet facts and we’ve created this section specifically
for that purpose.

Our goal is to help you get educated before your carpet is laid down.

We invite you to read on… check out these notes, tips and considerations and get the upper hand
on the flooring that may soon be underfoot.

Understanding Seams.

Carpet is available in 12’, 15’ and 13’ widths.

Unless your room is narrower than these widths, the carpet will have to be seamed.

With looped or low-profile patterned carpet, you may have visible or peaked seams. These may
become less visible once the new carpet relaxes and has a chance to acclimate.

The degree of their visibility depends on the texture, color, lighting and furniture placement.
Lighting can surprisingly play a huge roll in the visibility of a seam.

Be aware that, as carpet bends over stairs, its backing may show , particularly with looped carpet.

You should also know that looped carpet can snag, particularly at a seam or at a carpet transition.
We address this in the Carpet Floor Care section where we provide information on how to
properly care for looped carpet.

The nap of all carpet, runs in one direction. Carpet should be installed with the nap going in all
the same direction.

Pile reversal, or shading, is a normal characteristic of many cut pile style carpets.

This can be particularly apparent with plush carpet.

If this is an issue, consider window coverings or furniture placement as a way to minimize this
affect

Durability is a function of quality.

Higher quality carpet will typically have greater pile density, and tighter twist construction, which will result in better durability. Another consideration is that it’s easier to replace or update a home’s décor with carpet compared to other hard surface products. Dollar for dollar carpet offers significant styling advantages, and adds value to any home. Carpet also feels warm underfoot and reduces household noise.

Know these color rules.

An important consideration about carpet color is that once a carpet is installed in a new home, it
will often look lighter than the sample you saw in the store. This is a natural optical effect and
you should be aware of this when making a carpet color selection.

Keep in mind, the color of carpet affects the apparent size of the room. Lighter colored carpet
will visually expand the size of the room. Darker carpet will appear to bring the walls closer
together, and create a more intimate feeling.

Neutral colors are the best choice if you plan to frequently change the decorating scheme, if
you’re trying to incorporate a lot of existing furniture or if you intend to put the house on the
resale market. Using a neutral colored, good quality carpet allows for a prospective buyer to
imagine their furniture in a room that is decorated with neutral colors.

Stain protection & warranty.

Stain protection is an important consideration in any carpet purchase.

Carpet products come with different stain protection levels and warranties that help guard your
carpet against stains.

As the quality of carpet increases, so does your stain protection and the manufacturer’s warranty
coverage.

It is important to understand exactly what is covered by the warranty of your specific carpet as
warranties do vary. Read the warranty information carefully.

Understanding pad options.

One of the most important considerations in choosing the right carpet for your home has to do
with where you can’t see – beneath the carpet.

Carpet cushion, the layer of material that lies between the carpet and sub floor, can make or
break your new carpet. It can be the difference between a good feeling carpet and a great one.

It is carpet cushion, not the carpet, that determines how a carpet feels beneath your feet.

However, it isn’t just about feel. A quality carpet cushion helps preserve the look of the carpet,
and can even extend the life and comfort of a carpet, providing it with better protection against
wear and tear.

Carpet cushion is sold using quality specifications, not color specifications, so color of the
sample you see in the store may not be the same color as the carpet cushion installed in your
home.

Know the entire cost of ownership.

The “cost per square foot” of your carpet is just one component of the entire project cost. To
ensure there are no surprises, and the carpet you selected fits within your overall budget, be
sure to ask us to calculate the total cost of your floor covering project. Here’s a list of potential
additional expenses you may incur:

– Furniture removal/replacement.
– Remove & dispose of old floor covering. Depending on the existing floor covering, this can be
an expensive item.
– Sub-floor preparation. Depending on the condition of the sub-floor, it may require additional
work.
– Delivery.
-Stair labor

– Materials required to complete the installation. Your new carpet may require additional
materials to install it properly, like adhesives, moisture barriers, stair nosing, baseboards, etc.

In addition to the total project cost, you should also know the cost of annual cleanings to
maintain the beauty and life of your new carpet. Be sure to consult the manufacturer’s warranty
and care guide for directions on how frequently the carpet should be cleaned.

There’s a lot to know and keep in mind before you buy your carpet, but it’s well worth the effort.