What to Know Before You Buy New Carpet

If buying new carpeting is on your to-do list, you may think you are prepared and know exactly what you want to buy - that is, until you head to the showroom and see all the options available.

You need to consider more than just the color. Each type is made of different materials. Some materials require frequent cleanings, some may be more expensive than your budget allows, and others that can actually affect your health if you have certain allergies.

Then, there is a carpet’s wear and tear capabilities. The wrong carpet may wear out quickly, fade, or show stains that stubbornly resist your best cleaning efforts.

With all of these factors to consider, it pays to learn everything you can before you buy. Here are a few carpet buying tips you can use:

Know the Value of Proper Padding

You should consult your carpet manufacturer for padding recommendations and advice, but there are also some general rules to choosing padding:

• Typically, high-traffic areas require firm, dense padding, while guest bedrooms and other light-traffic rooms may need less protection.
• Match the padding to the type of carpet you plan to use. Ask questions about which padding is right for your carpet purchase.
• Some carpet padding and adhesives impact air quality and health by releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde, into the air we breathe. This can contribute to health issues such as asthma and allergies.

Know Your Style Options

Carpeting comes in many styles, including plush, Berber, and textured, for example. These actually describe the depth of the carpets pile, which is created from yarn tufts and either folded over into loops, cut straight across, or both.

When choosing the style:

• Look at how well your lifestyle meshes with a particular carpet style. If someone in your household has asthma or allergies, consider choosing carpet made from natural products, including wool, jute and other organic materials. Also, look for organic or chemical-free dyes to keep toxic fumes out of your home.
• Plush carpeting is made from tightly twisted pile, and is thick, soft and inviting. But it also shows footprints and vacuum tracks.
• Berber carpeting is crafted from continuous fiber loops and is flat and dense. It can have a level loop, cut-and-loop or multi-level loop design. Berber is extremely durable and doesn't show tracks, soil and stains -- perfect for high-traffic areas and homes with pets and children.
• Textured carpeting is made from fibers cut to different heights, which causes them to reflect light. This makes it difficult to see tracks and dirt, and it is great for high-traffic areas.

Know Which Colors and Textures Work for Your Home

A few final points before you buy:

• Always ask for carpet samples of each color you're considering.
• Try to get the biggest samples available, and take them home to examine them in natural light before you buy.
• Keep in mind that sun exposure can fade colored carpeting, so choose fade-resistant products if your carpet will be in direct sunlight.

New carpeting can change the look of your home and make everything seem fresh and new. But, it is a buying decision that will be with you for several years and can impact how buyers will feel about your home when it is time to sell. Make sure to research your choices well before you decide.