A 6-Step Plan for Buying the Right Carpet

By Jessica Reinhart

When it comes to choosing a carpet for your home, you’d better do your homework. With average carpet costs ranging from $15 - $100 per yard installed, knowing exactly what you need could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Luckily school is in session. Our teacher is Alan Fletcher, the man who wrote the book on buying carpets. Author of "The 2008 Complete Carpet Buying Guide" (e-book, About $13) and a 30-year veteran of the flooring business, Fletcher sat down to offer tips, tricks and insider information on how RedPlum readers can get just the right carpet.

A Quick Quiz
Before shopping for carpet answer the following questions:

1. How long do you want your carpet to last? (Carpets are designed to last 5, 10, 15 or 20 years or more depending on your traffic level.)

2. How much do you plan to spend on the project? (Consider doing it in stages if the total cost is more than you have budgeted for.)

3. How much foot traffic do you have? (Children, teenagers, and pets are very hard on carpets. You must choose a carpet that can tolerate your level of foot traffic.)

Durability. The more durable a carpet is, the more it will cost, that's a given. The main factor that determines longevity is the type of fiber used to make the carpet pile.

Selecting the right fiber. “Consumers would be wise to learn more about carpet fibers before making their final selection”, advises Fletcher.

Nylon is the most common and durable carpet fiber available today. Although it’s more expensive, nylon is a very resilient fiber that tolerates a lot of foot traffic and cleans relatively easily (with an anti-stain treatment applied). “I think that Nylon is the smartest way to go for anyone who wants a long lasting carpet,” says Fletcher.

Sorona is a fairly new fiber on the market. It is said to be extremely stain resistant and durable. “It sounds like a great product from their advertisements, but I am waiting to see how well it performs over a five- to ten-year period before I pass judgment or recommend it,” says Fletcher.

Polyester holds color very well and resists fading. The main problem is that it will mat down quickly in medium to heavy traffic areas. “The manufacturer's warranty does not cover matting or crushing which is why I never recommend carpets made with polyester or P.E.T. polyester to homeowners who want a long-lasting carpet,” admits Fletcher.

Olefin is also known as polypropylene. Olefin is popular for commercial installations, but not so residential projects. The main problem is that olefin attracts oil and dirt and it is hard to clean.

Wool is the best of the best. It's a natural, soft fiber that is very elegant and durable. Wool carpets can last a lifetime if cared for properly. The downside is the cost, as much as $100 per yard or more. Installation and cleaning are more costly too. But, if you can afford wool carpets then the cost of installation, care and maintenance is not an issue!

Kids, animals and stain resistance. “There are many types of anti-stain treatments that are either applied topically to the carpet or manufactured into the design of the fiber itself”, says Fletcher. Three popular options are R2X, Scotchgard and Stainmaster. “Of these three, I personally prefer the Stainmaster technology. It doesn’t wear away like sprayed on or applied surface treatments” he says. “Many consumers buy into a miracle pet odor eliminator product they hope will solve all their pet accident problems. Consumers are often tricked into paying for products that claim to be able to eliminate stains, odors, or whatever. Let the buyer beware, there is no pet stain or odor removing product on the market today that is 100% effective. Don't spend your hard earned money on "amazing" products advertised on television commercials”, says Fletcher.

Make it last. If carpeting isn’t cared for properly it won’t last as long as intended. Carpet manufacturers know this very well, which is why they put explicit care instructions into their carpet warranties. If the consumer fails to meet basic cleaning requirements as outlined in the warranty, the warranty may be voided. So read your carpet warranty carefully and follow instructions to the letter – or you may find yourself without warranty coverage. But, says Fletcher, “The truth is... an inexpensive carpet well cared for will last longer than an expensive carpet that is poorly maintained.”

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