Carpet purchase requires wealth of information

"If I cannot brag of knowing something, then I brag of not knowing it." Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), American essayist and poet, "Journals," 1866

Everybody knows carpet. But do we really "know" carpet?

The choice in types, fibers, construction, etc., makes purchasing carpet for our homes or offices a difficult decision.

While there are many Web sites for tips on carpet selection and materials, I found a lot of good information on carpet fibers, wear and use at www.shawfloors.com. Home-improvement and carpet stores are obviously also valuable resources. Before you buy your next carpet or area rug, you should at least know the basics.

Four major types of fibers are used in the construction of most carpets. Each fiber type has unique qualities and hopefully these tips will help you the next time you purchase carpet.

Nylon is the most widely used fiber and is mostly known for its strength. It is extremely durable and resilient. Because of its resistance to matting and wear, you will never see a visibly worn carpet path in even the busiest spots of your home. Nylon carpet fiber is soft yet strong, shows color brilliantly and cleans well. Though not inherently stain resistant, most nylons are treated to protect them against household spills and stains.

The use of polypropylene (also called olefin) in carpet has grown dramatically during the past 10 years due to the popularity of Berber style loop carpets. Polypropylene is extremely resistant to stains, fading and moisture. Polypropylene is also notably colorfast because it is solution dyed, which means the color is added during production and not dyed later. The color is such an inherent part of the fiber that you can even clean polypropylene with bleach.

Appreciated for its versatility, polyester’s popularity continues to grow. Polyester offers exceptional softness, making it ideal for thick, cut-pile styles. Polyester also is naturally and permanently stain resistant and fade resistant. It has excellent color clarity, color retention, strength and abrasion resistance. Carpets made from this fiber are easily cleaned and they resist water-soluble stains.

Wool is the pre-eminent natural fiber and yields a soft, warm, comfortable feel. Although wool does not possess natural resistance to moisture or abrasion, it ages well and is easy to clean. Because it is the most expensive carpet fiber, wool is generally used only in luxury carpets and area rugs.

Each area of your home could, in essence, have different carpets. High-traffic areas, or areas that might see more dirt, would probably benefit from nylon or polyester carpet. In areas with less foot traffic, like bedrooms or sitting rooms and formal living rooms, wool or silk carpets would be a viable option.

Here are two more carpet options for you (confused enough?). One is carpet style. Carpet tiles come in many different colors, patterns and materials. The beauty of the carpet tile is that if you spill or destroy one of the tiles, you can just pop it out and replace it. Tiles are budget friendly and their use will make your floor covering last longer. Rather than replacing an entire carpet, you can do one tile at a time. Carpet tiles are great for family rooms, children’s rooms or play areas.

Another option for carpeting is the full-room fitted carpet that is not installed or glued down. If you have hardwood or tile floors and want to cover them with more than an area rug, a good carpet vendor can custom cut carpet to fit your room. The carpet will be bound around the edges and just laid down on your floor. The advantage to this type of carpet cover is that you can take it with you when you move if you want or you can get the entire floor covered but not destroy or damage the original floor material.

These guidelines are primarily for wall-to-wall carpet, but if you are selecting area rugs, the same fiber types are used and will possess the same qualities.

One last tip: When installing carpet, get the best carpet padding you can afford. It will give you a more luxurious surface and a good padding will prolong the life of your carpets.

So, while enjoying your current floor covering or shopping for new ones, remember that this vital component of home décor is more than a pretty face. A lot goes into it.

Carolyn Muse Grant is a founder and president of the Architectural & Decorative Arts Society, as well as an interior design consultant/stylist specializing in home staging. Her Inside Spaces column appears weekly in the Home section of the Review-Journal. Send questions to creativemuse@cox.net.