While looks are important, these are a few key considerations to keep in mind when shopping for carpets.
Carpets have long been a mainstay in flooring, even as hardwood gained its resurgence a few decades ago. While other floorings have many benefits, few can match the luxury and elegance of a well-maintained carpet. If you are thinking about buying carpet for your home, here are a few considerations to keep in mind. Each will help you make the right decision for you, your home, and your family.
1. Think About Your Lifestyle
While many people go for aesthetics when it comes to carpet, one of the very first considerations isn’t about the carpet. It’s about you, specifically, your lifestyle and your home. Elaborate, beautiful carpets are one of the ultimate signs of luxury, but they simply will not last in a home of young children and messy pets. You will need to have your carpets cleaned fairly regularly; deep, lush carpets last much longer when they aren’t subjected to dogs running in out of the rain or the many messes young children can create.So when looking at carpet, look for something that can stand up to your life, then look at the aesthetics.
2. Look into Piles
The pile of your carpet, or how it’s made, is one consideration that will come out of thinking about your lifestyle. In general, carpets are made through two different styles, called cut or loop. Cut carpets weave fabric into the base and then cut the fabric. Loop piles, by contrast, loop the fabric back into the base. In general, cut pile carpets are less expensive because they require less time and labour to create, but loop pile carpets are generally more durable. Depending on where the carpet is going, like high traffic areas, and how often it will be used, you will want a loop pile over a cut pile.
3. Choose the Right Material
On top of how a carpet is made, you will also need to consider the material itself. Many carpets today are made from nylon, polyester, acrylic and similar synthetic materials. The reasoning is simple: they are much more durable than natural fibers. Nylon is generally considered the most durable while polyester is more stain resistant.That being said, wool is still a popular material for carpets because of its durability and resistance to everything from stains to static and moths. The major drawback for wool, however, is price, as it is easily the most expensive carpet material.
To say that carpets are making a comeback suggests that they went out of style, but this simply isn’t true. There are few things as luxurious and comforting as a nice carpet in your home. They feel wonderful under your feet, especially in the dead of winter, and they look fantastic. If you are considering new carpets for your home, be sure to consider the many factors that go into owning carpet, including regular cleanings. With the right choices and the right maintenance, your new carpet will look wonderful now and long into the future.