Walking into a carpet store not knowing what to look for can get quite overwhelming for homeowners as stores usually display their extensive inventory of carpets with various styles, colours and fibres. Below are a few factors that will help you determine what to look for when buying a carpet.
Carpet Pile
Piles are used to describe how fibres are used to manufacture the carpet. The yarn can either be looped or cut to a particular length and then twisted to stay in place. Cut pile carpets are known to be very soft as they have straight strands that are both cut and twisted but vacuum streaks or footprint marks are easily visible to the naked eye. On the other hand, a Plush carpet has trimmed strands that create a thick and densely packed carpet. The short tufts are tightly woven together to elongate the carpet’s longevity and minimize wear and tear as well as the visibility of vacuum streaks or footprints. A textured carpet is an excellent option for areas with more traffic as it is less trackless and relatively durable.
Carpet Fibre
Different types of fibre used to manufacture carpets, such as polyester, nylon, wool, etc., can affect your carpet’s durability, cost, and longevity. Nylon carpet, for instance, is the most popular in carpet stores as nylon is one of the strongest fibres and can withstand high-traffic areas. It is also resistant to mould or mildew, making it a fantastic option for areas prone to moisture or high humidity levels. Polyester carpet also resists moisture as well as stains and visible wear, and it is often at a lower cost than nylon carpet. Olefin carpet is also at a low price; however, it is less durable than nylon and polyester carpet.
Carpet Padding
Carpet padding helps enhance the softness of your carpet and minimize the growth of mould and mildew. Redbond carpet, frothed foam and memory foam are some of the most popular carpet paddings that provide durability and withstand heavy foot traffic. Carpet padding adds an extra layer of protection to the bottom of your carpet to minimize wear and tear, so it’s essential to inquire about which padding is more suitable for the carpet of your choice.
See For Yourself!
At Ashley Fine Floors, we understand the difficulty of visualizing the carpets in store within your home, which is why we have created a room visualizer. You can pick any of our available products, snap a picture of your room and see the product in your space!
If you’re looking to purchase a new carpet or replace your existing carpet, check out our store in Edmonton or contact us for more information!