Today’s carpeting is more durable, healthier for your home and is available in more options than ever before. The carpet industry has tried to make their products greener too.

Another key advantage of carpet is the sheer range of styles, patterns and types. There are numerous carpeting options to suit your home, whether you opt go for wall-to-wall carpeting, functional carpet tiles or area rugs over hardwood, resilient or natural stone flooring.

Carpets also have the additional function of reducing noise – particularly when used on stairs or in hallways.

But there are some downsides to carpet that you also need to consider: with increased use of protective stain-resistance coatings, carpet cleaning and maintenance is not a nightmare, but it is still more involved than a quick sweep and mop.

In this in-depth carpet flooring guide we will explore in more detail the pros and cons of carpets, and look at everything you need to know about carpeting for your home, including:

Buying Guide: First we’ll give you an overview of your carpet choices, discussing basics such as different carpet construction, styles and patterns available, wear and durability and current trends. We’ll also look at carpet pros and cons, and give you all the information to make an informed decision about opting for carpet in your home.

Price Guide: We’ll examine the costs involved in installing carpet in your home, compare carpet prices to other popular flooring choices such as hardwood or vinyl, and advise you on how to save money when installing carpet.

Installation Guide: Next we’ll give you everything you need to know to install carpet, either on your own as a DIY project, or so that you can ensure your pro installation quote is on point.

Cleaning and Maintenance: Lastly, we will look at the best way to clean your carpet and offer the best tips and tricks for dealing with stains.

BUYING CARPET – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Carpeting and rugs remain very popular home flooring for the warmth, comfort and the variety of styles and patterns in which they’re made. Area rugs have graced homes for thousands of years and continue to be in demand for those with hard flooring who want a decorative accent or soft treading under foot.

HOW CARPET IS MADE

From the ground up, here are the layers you’ll find in most carpeting products:

Primary Backing: The fibers of the carpet are woven into the backing, so the backing must be tough and durable. Most are made from a combination of plastic, rubber and urethane. Jute is sometimes also used, but is more expensive than a plastic mat.

Secondary Backing: The backing you see is the secondary backing designed to sandwich the carpet threads against the primary backing and hold them more securely. Latex is used in this secondary backing.

Fibers: The first rugs and carpeting were made from wool, and the best ones still are. Synthetic materials such as nylon, olefin, polyester including Triexta, and some recycled plastics and polyesters are also being used in today’s carpets and rugs.

The fibers are woven into the backing using a mechanized process call tufting that employs 800 to 1,400 needles. It is similar to embroidering.  The fibers are looped through the mesh backing. The more needles the machine has (gauge rate), the denser the carpeting or rug will be. Some high-end rugs are still made by hand using finer materials such as jute for the backing and wool or even silk for the threads.

Dye: If the carpet is to be of one color, the thread is usually dyed before-hand. When a carpet or rug has a pattern, the thread may be dyed first and woven, or, in more affordable rugs, the dye is applied after the rug is produced using a silk-screening process.

Pile: The pile of the carpet refers to the number of threads per square inch, just like with bed sheets. The denser the pile, the finer the carpeting or area rug is considered to be. Pile height and twist level of the nap are other considerations. Most consumers don’t think about twist level, but know this: the more twists the pile has per square in, the better the carpet will hold its shape.

Topcoat: Most carpeting now has a final coat of stain-resistant spray (Stainmaster, etc.) to help prevent liquids from penetrating the threads.

Further Reading: Nylon Vs Polyester Carpet | Hypoallergenic Carpeting

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING CARPET

Now that you know the basics about the different layers and process that go into a carpet, what else should you be considering to make the best choice for your home?

Size: Wall-to-wall carpeting is produced in rolls from 6’ to 15’ in width. This allows you to choose the size that produces the fewest seams in the room along with the least waste. There are also carpet runners for hallways and stairs that usually come in a variety of widths and lengths to fit most staircases, or can be ordered as a custom-size depending on your stair dimensions.

If you’re not looking for wall-to-wall coverage, then opt for area rugs. Area rugs are made much the same way as wall-to-wall carpet, but will have an embroidered or sealed edge all around to avoid fraying. They come in a range of sizes that allow you to cover as much or as little of the floor as you wish.

Another option to consider is carpet tiles; these are a great choice for a kid’s room or a playroom as you can simply replace individual tiles if they become particularly worn down or badly stained.

Carpet padding/ underlay: Sometimes overlooked, but an important part of the carpet buying process – particularly for wall-to-wall carpeting – opting for a good carpet padding should be top of your to do list. Good carpet padding will help protect the backing of your carpet, give an extra layer of insulation on your flooring, add comfort and sound proofing; it also makes for more hygienic vacuuming by raising the carpet slightly from the bare floor and allowing for greater suction through the fibers and backing. There are numerous different materials used for carpet padding, including polyurethanes, rubber, synthetic and natural fibers, each offering different advantages. Be sure when ordering your carpet to ask your carpet retailing pro for the best advice about which carpet padding to choose.

Pile patterns: In terms of patterns, the most popular are:

• Cut Pile– Also known as textured carpet or cut pile twist is a catch all name for looped carpet that has been cut.
• Plush – Made in a variety of styles including velvet, Saxony, textured trackless and standard plush, this remains the most common pattern.
• Berber– Now more popular than ever. New manufacturing processes are creating more than just the standard Berbers. You’ll find geometric patterns and a variety of loop options that produce different feels beneath your feet.
• Frieze– These carpets have a distinctively woven look. They are produced in solid colors as well as multi-colored styles.

You can read more in-depth information about the differences in carpet textures and piles here.

Further Reading: Carpet Trends | Frieze Carpet | Berber Carpet

Wear and Durability: Wool rugs and carpeting are the most durable. Those with a thick pile can last 50 years or more when used in a living area rather than in an area of high traffic. On the other end, today’s cheapest carpeting may need replacing in as little as 3-5 years in living areas and 1-2 years in high-traffic areas.

Advances in carpet fiber technology are leading to tougher carpets that look better for longer. Quality carpeting and rugs typically last 8-15 years depending on where they are installed and how careful you are about carpet maintenance. Learn more by reading the Carpet Maintenance and Cleaning Guide below for tips on how to get the greatest longevity from your flooring.

Green – as in Ecofriendly – carpeting: Triexta is a new polymer from DuPont that is made from renewably sourced materials.

Allergies: The jury is out on whether carpets make life worse for allergy-sufferers or not, and you can read our article about that debate here. Carpet can trap allergens and dust, which can aggravate allergies, but regular vacuuming with a HEPA filtered vacuum machine should mitigate against that to a good degree. Certain carpet manufacturers are marketing hypoallergenic carpets and carpet padding, but the devil is in the detail as even these carpets may be backed on rubber, which can also cause allergies! Our advice is that if you suffer from allergies, but love the idea of carpet, to check labels very carefully and invest in the best quality vacuum you can afford.

Low-VOC carpeting: Carpet made with low-VOC materials has less off-gassing, so that “new carpet” smell dissipates more rapidly – in a few days rather than a few weeks. Check for the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label or Green Label Plus for low VOC content.

Radiant Heating? Carpet can be used with radiant heating systems, but you should take care when choosing the carpet to ensure that it is not too thick or too dense, as thick/ dense carpet will prevent the heating system to radiate effectively (don’t forget also to take into account carpet padding as well in the overall thickness).  Care should be taken to choose the correct carpet padding: low quality rubber padding can react badly with heated subfloors and leach oily deposits.

Basements? Carpet is feasible for basement installation, but it runs the risk of attracting mold and mildew if the basement subfloor has not been correctly prepped and / or the incorrect underlayment installed. Also always choose synthetic fibers for basement carpets since, unlike wool fiber, they do not retain moisture. Read more about how to choose the best carpet for your basement here.

Carpet Quality Rating systems: Unfortunately, there is no industry wide standard on carpet ratings, so this is not always a useful way to judge carpet quality. What is best is to understand the differences in fibers and elements such as density, carpet face weight and tuft twist numbers. Here is a more detailed article about carpet ratings and carpet quality factors.

CARPET FLOORING BUYING GUIDE SUMMARY

• Carpets provide unparalleled comfort underfoot compared to all other flooring materials.
• Carpet also provides heat and sound insulation in your home.
• Carpets are made from both natural fibers such as wool, and man-made fibers including nylon, olefin, polymers and polyester.
• Size options include custom-sized wall-to-wall and stair runners, carpet tiles and area rugs ranging from small to very large.
• Budget depends on both the type of fiber and its construction process, but carpet comes in a huge range of process to suit most budgets.
• The main pile patterns are: Cut Pile, Plush, Berber and Frieze.

CARPET PROS AND CONS RECAP

Related Reading: Carpet Vs Laminate Vs Hardwood Flooring | Best Stores that Sell Rugs

Rugs & Carpet Flooring FAQs

Q: Is carpet installation a DIY job?
A: If you’re handy with tools and patient, you might consider doing it yourself. See our Carpet Installation Guide below for details that will help you decide whether to tackle it or to hire home flooring pros in your area.

Q: What type of carpet is best for areas that get heavy traffic?
A: Dense carpet with a low pile is best for this purpose.

Q: Does carpet contain formaldehyde?
A: No. Formaldehyde is no longer used.

Q: Will new carpet shed? What does this mean?
A: New carpet will shed a bit. This means that loose fibers, especially along cuts, will come loose. Just vacuum up the shed pieces. If it continues at a carpet seam so that a gap appears – something which is rare – then contact your carpet installer.

Q: Is buying carpet online a good idea?
A: Prices can be very good online, but take into consideration the possible cost of shipping too. If you know exactly what you want, for example, if you’ve seen it in a local showroom, then buying online can be safe. However, gauging its exact color and quality can be difficult when just looking at a web page. However, often online sites will offer the option of buying carpet samples; we highly recommend doing this so that you can check the color and quality of the product before buying any carpet online.

CARPET FLOORING PRICES & BRANDS

Like most other types of home flooring, carpeting and rugs come in a wide price range based on quality and style.

Wall-to-wall carpet, on average, ranges in price from about $3-$7 per square foot. The higher the costs, the better the carpet usually is. An average carpet price is about $4.50 per square foot.

Rugs can cost as little as $1 per square foot for very cheap products. A good-quality area rug will cost $5 or more per square foot with the best rugs crafted from materials such as wool costing more than $8 per square foot. Don’t forget about professional rug cleaning costs.

Carpet Flooring VS Hardwood, Natural Stone, Resilient and Other Flooring

As noted above, even the cheapest carpet prices are often quite affordable, on par with inexpensive linoleum or laminate flooring. On the high end, stylish designer carpets such as Berber can be as expensive as natural stone flooring or high-grade, exotic hardwood flooring.

Here’s a useful comparison chart for carpet against other flooring types (prices do not include installation costs):

And here is an overview article about popular carpet brands and what to look out for when deciding on style and color of your carpet.

FACTORS AFFECTING CARPET PRICES

Different carpet brands, different materials used and how your carpet is constructed can all have a big influence on the overall carpet costs.

Popular brands: Stainmaster and Smartstrand are two popular low-price brands with much of their carpeting priced between $1.50 and $5 per sq/ft. In the mid-range you have big names like Shaw and Mohawk offering carpet mainly in the $2.50 to $10 per sq/ft range. Finally, for the highest prices, brands like Masland and Fabrica offer best quality carpeting that starts at around $5-$7 and increases to as much as $20+ per sq/ft.

Here’s a useful quick look table showing prices ranges amongst the most popular brands.

Fibers: The cheapest carpet fiber is Olefin (polypropylene), although stain resistant it doesn’t wear well and is best suited to low traffic areas. Most carpet is made from nylon and makes up the lion’s share of carpet in the $3 to $8 price range. Wool is the most expensive natural fiber available and tends to be in the $8 and above price range. Generally speaking, the more expensive the fiber the more durable and softer it will be.

Carpet Construction and Style: Whether you choose loop, textured, frieze or patterned carpet you will find something at all price points. Roughly speaking the lower the price, the lower the face weight and thread density. Face weight refers to the physical weight of the fiber threads in one square yard (measured in ounces) and density refers to how tightly packed the fibers are woven into the backing.

Determining How Much You Need (Sq/Ft)

If you’re having the carpet professionally installed, the home flooring pros may want to measure the floors for you in order to be sure of the right quantity.

However, if you’re looking to get price points then you’ll need to measure the floors yourself. Use a tape measure or get room dimensions from blueprints. Multiply length times width to get the square footage of the room. For example, a room that is 20’ long and 12’ wide, or 20’x12’, is 240 square feet. For rooms that are “L-shaped” such as a room with a nook, measure each section – each rectangle – separately. Add up totals from all the rectangles to get the amount of floor that is to be covered.

Carpet installers recommend adding 5% to the square feet total to allow for trimming. Therefore, multiply your total by 1.05. For example, if you need to cover 1,200 square feet, your equation is 1,200×1.05=1,260.

NOTE: Sometimes carpet is sold by the square yard rather than the square foot. To turn square feet into square yards, divide by 9 (not 3, since a square yard is 3 feet in each direction, or 3’x3’). So, in the example above, 1,260 square feet becomes 140 square yards.

INSTALLATION PRICING AND COST FACTORS

When you get carpet installation estimates, the cost will range from $0.50 per square foot to about $2 per square foot. Installation of the pad may be extra or it might be included.

Carpeting installation costs are based on the amount of time it will take pro installers to do the job. The more open the floor plan is, the less time it will take. The smaller the areas and the more trimming that is required, the higher the price carpet installation per square foot will be.

Some carpet contractors factor the stairs differently. For example, they might give you an estimate of $1.25 per square foot plus $100 extra for the stairway. Depending on the type of stairway installation and how complex it is, expect estimates of $4-$10 per step.

Saving Money on Carpet Costs

There are 3 key ways to save money on carpeting and installation. The first is to shop around for the carpeting. You’ll find that prices are competitive, and some stores will throw in free padding or reduced installation; those perks might make the total estimate from one store more affordable.

The second key is to get several estimates for the carpet installation from contractors who know they are competing for the business. If you use a service to get the estimates, it can be quick and convenient. Most are free and there should be no obligation for using the service. The contractors are typically pre-screened, so you’ll likely get estimates from the best installers in your area.

The third key is to do some of the preparation work yourself. Remove the baseboard trim, toe kicks and doors. Move all furniture, remove the old carpet and padding, tack strip and padding staples. Tell the contractors that you’re willing to do that work yourself before getting estimates.

Further Reading: Cost to Remove Carpet | How to Dry Wet Carpet

Rugs & Carpeting Pricing FAQs

Q: What is the best time of year to buy carpet or have it installed? The worst time?
A: The best time of the year to find deals is in January. Dealers like to clear out their showroom to make room for new styles and patterns. Fall is the busiest time of year for installation since homeowners want the new carpet in for the holidays. Therefore, you might find installation costs to be higher in the fall since contractors are very busy. January is a good time to find low carpet installation prices too.

Q: How much does carpet cost when bought wholesale or online?
A: Buying online or direct from a wholesaler can reduce your carpet prices per square foot by as much as 30 to 40%.

Q: Are there carpets that don’t require padding?
A: Yes. Most of these have a thicker backing that acts as padding or cushion. The prices are higher, as you would expect.

CARPET INSTALLATION

DIY enthusiasts sometimes install their own carpet in their home, especially if they’ve had some experience and the job is fairly straightforward, like a square room.

But when stairs are involved, or lots of seams and trims, hiring a professional contractor is an attractive choice. Carpet installation is fairly affordable compared with other flooring such as tile or stone; and keep in mind that some manufacturers require professional installation, or they won’t honor their warranty on seams.

But if that is not an issue for you and you are keen to do it yourself, then before you decide to take on the job, make sure you have a thorough grasp of the process.

It’s important to know that sometimes an inferior carpet installation job shows up right away, with ridges in the carpet or corners that pull up. At other times, poor installation won’t show up for 6-12 months, especially if the carpet hasn’t been properly stretched. When this occurs, the carpet will become loose, especially in high traffic areas, and as it relaxes ridges will appear.

So again, we at Home Flooring Pros advise that if you’re installing carpet yourself do take time to prepare: watch several tutorials and know what the necessary tools are and how to use them.

Even if you decide to hire home flooring pros for the job, knowing something about the process will help you discuss the installation with contractors.

So, let’s have a look at what’s involved in carpet installation, as well as the tools commonly used, how to prep the floor, installation techniques, and other common questions about the installation process.

Carpet Installation Tips

Tools and supplies the pros use: Here’s a list of tools and supplies required for carpet installation. You may be able to find some of them from your local rental store. You will need:

• nails
• staples
• tack strip
• seam tape
• carpet knife
• measuring tape
• chalk line for making straight cuts
• knee kicker
• power stretcher
• tack strip cutter
• hammer
• stapler
• stair tools (if necessary)
• seam iron

You may want to wear gloves when installing tack strip. A carpet cart is handy for moving large rolls of carpeting.

Preparing the Floor for New Carpet

Thorough floor preparation is essential. If debris like drywall mortar is left on the subfloor, you’ll feel it every time you step on it. And eventually, it may cause premature wear in the flooring. Start by removing trim, toe kicks and doors from the rooms to be carpeted. Remove old carpeting, the padding and all the staples.

Then, if it’s a wood subfloor, walk the entire floor looking for squeaks. Now is your chance to silence them. Remove the squeaky board and apply glue to it, then screw it back down. At the very least, add a few screws to see if that stops the noise. If the floor is concrete, fill in any cracks and sand them smooth.

Carpet Installation Techniques

Here are the main steps to getting your carpet down.

Step 1: Install tack strip around the entire perimeter of the room. Leave it approximately 3/8” from the wall. The printed arrows on the strips should face the wall.

Step 2: Next, roll out the carpet padding, now often called carpet cushion, onto the floor and cut to fit. It should not cover the tack strip.

Step 3: Use a carpet stapler to install staples about every 2 feet horizontally and vertically.

Step 4: Roll out the carpet and leave a 2-inch overlap along walls for trimming. You may find that cutting the carpet outside is easier. Make sure the driveway is clean of debris. Once the piece is cut, make a notch approximately where corners will be. This will help when it comes time for trimming.

Step 5: Lay the carpet along the longest exterior wall first, leaving 2” excess for trimming. A useful technique is to nail the carpet down with a 10lb nail every 6-8 inches. Place the nails about 6” from the wall. Drive in the nails about halfway. This will hold the carpet firmly when you use the power stretcher on the other side of the room. The nails won’t leave a permanent mark.

Step 6: Affix the starting side of the carpet to the tack strip before trimming. Fold the carpet over and press the fold into the gulley between the tack strip and the wall. Use a 2×4 or similar object to press it firmly onto the tacks. Some use a rubber mallet.

Step 7: Now it’s time to use the power stretcher. Move toward the loose end of the carpet and stretch the carpet in increments. Move horizontally and diagonally over the piece of carpeting you are installing.

Step 8: When you reach the far end, use the stretcher to attach the loose end of the carpet to the tack strip. If a second piece will be seamed to the first, don’t tack down the last 1-2 feet of it so that it can be rolled back for seaming.

Step 9: Trim the ends of the carpet that have been affixed using a carpet trimmer or knife. Cut along the back side of the tack strip and tuck the loose end into the valley between the tack strip and the wall.

Step 10: If seams are required, cut the next piece of carpet. Roll back the piece that has been installed, so that the back of the carpet can be seamed. Lay the second piece next to it, facing down as well. Align the seams and cut a piece of seam tape to fit. Heat the seam iron, and when it is fully hot, iron the seam slowly and methodically. You may want to open windows for ventilation while ironing seams. Once the seam is secure, follow the steps above to install the added piece of carpeting.

Step 11: Cutting around obstacles requires a slow, steady hand. Cut slowly from the edge of the carpet toward corners. Then cut along the obstacle for trimming.

Step 12: Once the carpet is installed, vacuum it thoroughly.

Finishing the Job

After installation, install baseboard trim and hang the doors. You may also need to install transition strips where flooring transitions from one room to another. Now, you’ll get the best longevity from your carpet by keeping it clean.

If all this sounds like too much effort then take a look at our cost to stretch carpet report where you will learn the typical prices professional installers charge.

Carpet Installation FAQ’s

Q: How important is the carpet padding?
A: It is very important to choose a quality padding. It should be thick high-density foam for the best cushion beneath your carpet.

Q: If I cut too far down a corner, will it show?
A: If the cut is just a few inches too long, it probably won’t show. If you’re concerned about it, fix the cut using carpet seam tape.

Q: Do you normally put padding under area rugs?
A: Padding is often attached to area rugs to improve comfort.

Q: Will carpet installers move the furniture?
A: Yes, they will, but it might cost a bit extra to add that service to installation.

CARPET MAINTENANCE, CARE & CLEANING

Rugs and carpets that are well-maintained will look better and last longer than those that are neglected. Dirt that is ground into the carpet takes the vibrancy out of the carpet and destroys the nap. Dust, pet dander, hair and other debris dull the look and carpet that is not cared for will often develop an odor as well.

The good news is that the carpet cleaning tools and techniques are widely available to keep your flooring looking great for longer. It’s the best way to protect your investment.

Cleaning Equipment and Supplies

The key tool in carpet maintenance and care is a very good vacuum cleaner. For most carpet fibers, it should have a rotating, bristled bar often called a “beater bar.” This will pull up the nap so that debris deep within it can be vacuumed away. It will also collect hair and other debris. It is important to clean the beater bar on your vacuum often so that it continues to be effective.

Steam cleaning is the most effective way to keep your carpeting looking and performing its best. It should be done every 6-18 months depending on how heavy the traffic is on your carpeting. This method is technically called hot water extraction.

The inexpensive cold-water extraction carpet cleaning machines you can buy at home stores are okay, but most home flooring experts recommend hiring the pros to do the job. A good steam cleaning can get carpets as clean as possible and even sanitize them.

If you have rugs made from natural materials such as wool, stick very close to the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. If you don’t, you risk shrinking a rug or causing other damage. Another alternative is to have them professionally cleaned.

Most rugs and carpeting come with some type of treatment to resist stains. Scotchgard is a common product. You can buy these products at home improvement stores. Professional carpet cleaners can apply them too.

Finally, you may be able to launder your area rugs in the clothes washer or have them dry cleaned. Check the manufacturer’s tag before doing either of these things.

Taking Care of Problems

Here are the Home Flooring Pros top tips for dealing with spills and stains on your carpet:

• Get to spills and pet accidents immediately.
• Soak up liquids with paper toweling or a cotton towel.
• Step on it to soak up as much liquid as possible.
• Then, use a bristle brush and carpet detergent mixed with water to gently scrub out any remaining liquid.
• Extract the cleaning water with a vacuum that is made for liquids. NOTE: Never extract liquids with a vacuum cleaner that is not specifically made to handle liquids. Electric shock leading to injury or death can result.
• For old stains, consult your carpet dealer for stain remover products. Some of them work very well.
• Be sure to test stain remover products on a piece of carpet that is out of sight to make sure the cleaner itself doesn’t stain!

Replacing Your Rugs and Carpeting

Keeping rugs and carpet clean is essential to their durability, and how they look is the key to knowing when to replace them. It is easy to get used to dull carpet with a nap that is slightly worn. Our advice is, after 5years or so, bring home some new carpet samples to lay on the floor so that you can compare the old with the new. This will help you see your carpeting as others see it when they enter your home.

Carpeting Maintenance and Care FAQs

Q: Does stain guard need to be reapplied each time you clean your carpet?
A: No. Ask you carpet cleaning contractors that you hire for their recommendations.

Q: How can you make your carpeting last the longest?
A: Place mats for foot-wiping at each entrance. Encourage household members to take off their shoes in the house. Shoes with rubber soles are especially hard on carpeting. Then, vacuum it regularly and have it cleaned as recommended above.

Q: What if your carpet looks dull and dirty shortly after it is cleaned?
A: The most common reason is that a residue is being left on the carpet that becomes a magnet for dirt. If you’re doing the cleaning yourself, change the detergent you’re using or upgrade to a better machine. If the professionals are doing it, call them as soon as you see the dirt and have them take a look. They may be using the wrong soap for your carpet.

Q: How can you reduce allergens in your carpet?
A: Don’t install carpet in moist areas such as basements unless it is made for such locations. Then, vacuum it at least once a week or more, and have it professionally cleaned once or twice a year. It will also help to use a quality vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.