TrafficMaster Carpet: Pros & Cons and Prices

February 20, 2023, by: Greca Fotopoulos

Browsing the many TrafficMaster carpet types can be a bit bewildering.

We’ll sort them out here, so you can narrow your search to the carpet best suited to your residential, commercial or recreational use.

Options | Prices | Pros & Cons | Installation | Cleaning | Consumer Reviews

TRAFFICMASTER OPTIONS

The good news is you have a nice range of styles and colors in every niche, so you won’t have trouble finding multiple options for your project.

RESIDENTIAL CARPET ROLLS

Most rolls are 12 feet wide, though a few are 15 feet. Quality starts at builder grade, but most are mid-grade or slightly better. It would be a stretch to call any TrafficMaster line “premium” carpet.

The wear and stain warranties range from 5 to 15 years and are prorated.

TrafficMaster residential carpet rolls are available in several types of carpeting.

Texture carpet: This is the largest segment of residential roll carpet made by TrafficMaster. It is a pile carpet with a nap that is cut rather than looped. Nap in most lines is about ½” high.

More than a dozen lines of TrafficMaster texture carpet are produced, each in two to 12+ colors.

Here are the most popular lines with their density – the higher the number, the more carpet fibers per square foot: Alpine (1519), Palmdale I (1267), Thoroughbred II (1698), Happy Chance (2160), Palmdale II (2246), Watercolors I (2304), Watercolors II (3072), and (Top Rail (5742).

Prices start at less than $1 per square foot, but most cost $1.50 to $2.40 per square foot. Multiply the square foot cost by 9 if comparing with square yard costs.

Loop carpet: This is TrafficMaster’s Berber carpet. It has a low pile made from looped fibers. Rolls are 12 feet wide.

About 10 lines of TrafficMaster Berber carpet are produced. Among the best sellers, with densities, are: Speeding (2932), Illusions (3080), Wildly Popular I & II (3744), West View (4144) and Follow Up (4800).

The cheapest lines cost less than $1 per square foot, but most are $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot.

Twist carpet: This is another cut pile carpet, but the fibers are twisted to produce a more causal appearance. The twisted fibers hide seams and footprints well. Naps are longer – up to ¾”. Twist carpet is also called Frieze or shag carpeting.

About a dozen lines are produced. Best sellers are Hartsfield (1152), Fireworks II (1344), Gallant (1440) and Charming (1464).

Costs start below than $1 per square foot. The most expensive lines are $2.10-$2.40.

Pattern carpet: As the name implies, these carpeting lines have recurring patterns throughout. The patterns are created by using naps of different lengths and/or colors.

Next Level and Prime Spot are two popular styles. Their density is 3041. Most styles cost $1.70 to $2.30 per square foot.

RESIDENTIAL CARPET TILES

Carpet tiles 18” square are produced in the texture, twisted and pattern nap types. Installation is DIY peel and stick.

Texture carpet tiles: Nap height ranges from about 1/4” to almost 7/8” for a variety of looks and feels. Top-rated styles and their density are Montez Bentpath (1646), Deermont (2003) and Ribbed (2016). Texture tiles for less than $1 are available, but most cost $2.00-$3.00 per square foot.

Twist carpet tiles: A limited number of twist or Frieze tiles are available. Densities are in the 2000s, and the nap height is about ¾”. These TrafficMaster carpet tiles cost $1.60 to $2.30 per square foot.

Pattern carpet tiles: A handful of Pattern styles are produced. The nap is short at about ¼” and dense. Warranties for wear and stains are 5 years.

Sophisticated and Stupendous lines are top sellers. Their density is a solid 3888. Color choice is limited. The cost ranges from $1.50-$1.85 per square foot.

COMMERCIAL CARPET ROLLS

TrafficMaster commercial roll carpeting is made in three series. They are all loop carpet, aka Berber. Width for each is 12 feet.

Top Rail 26 is a 26 oz. carpet available in 23 colors. Density is a robust 5742. Top Rail 20, a 20 oz. carpet, has a density of 5143 and a lower cost. Both offer 10-year warranties and competitive costs. The carpet fibers are olefin, used for its ability to hold up under heavy foot traffic.

Social Network III is nylon and produced in 7 colors with a density of 4224. The warranty is 5 years, but oddly, this line is the most expensive of the TrafficMaster commercial roll carpet products.

TrafficMaster commercial carpet cost is $1.50 to $2.50 per square foot.

Commercial grade carpet is sometimes used residentially in home offices, workout rooms, garages, rec rooms and anywhere durable carpet is needed.

COMMERCIAL CARPET TILES

TrafficMaster commercial carpet tiles are low-pile tiles with loop/Berber nap fibers. While commercial grade, they’re used in residential applications in basements, garages, workout rooms and other locations.

Two sizes are produced.

19.7” squares: Bulk continuous fiber (BCF) polypropylene fiber tiles have a 10-year commercial warranty.

These tiles are not peel and stick, and no adhesive is required in residential application. The asphalt backing is designed for durability and to keep the squares in place on the floor.

Separately available TrafficMaster peel and stick corners can be applied, if desired. They can be glued down too, if preferred.

Adhesive must used in commercial applications for the warranty to be honored.

Density is 3200 to 5538. Cost is $1.50 to $2.15 per square foot.

24” squares: These commercial TrafficMaster carpet tiles are made of olefin with a polypropylene backing with peel and stick installation. The large squares are available in a wide range of styles. They are often used to mix and match colors and looks to create patterns or other interesting designs.

24” squares cost 70-85 cents per square foot.

COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL ROLLS

TrafficMaster carpet marketed for use in either application is available in rolls and tiles.

Your options for rolls are texture and loop carpet in 12’ widths.

Texture carpet: The Cross Functional line is named for its versatility. It’s manufactured in a spectrum of colors, all with a subtle pattern design that hides wear, dirt and stains. The nap is nylon with a 10-year warranty. Pile height is about ¾”, and the density is just 920. The price is $1.50-$1.70 per square foot.

Loop carpet: Commercial/residential loop carpet has a short, dense nap made from polyester. It is produced in three series and 8-10 colors:

• Main Rail Base: The carpet is backed by a 10-year warranty and has a density of 4364. Cost is $1.05-$1.25 per square foot.
• Main Rail 20: This carpet has an impressive density of 5255 and is covered with a 10-year warranty. Cost is $1.30-$1.50 per square foot.
• Main Rail 26: Density is 5742, and the carpet has a 10-year warranty.

Nylon fiber 24”x24” commercial carpet tiles are peel and stick. Density is 3600. Cost is $1.10-$1.25 per square foot. These tiles are also marketed as residential carpet tiles.

PRICE AND OPTIONS SUMMARY

Carpet Type	Nap Types	Cost Range/sq. ft.
Residential Roll	Texture, Loop, Twist, Pattern	$0.65 – $3.00
Residential Tile	Texture, Twist, Pattern	$1.60 – $3.00
Commercial Roll	Loop	$1.50 – $2.50
Commercial Tile – 19.7″	Loop	$1.50 – $2.15
Commercial Tile – 24″	Loop	$2.00 – $3.00

TRAFFICMASTER CARPET PROS AND CONS

TrafficMaster carpeting has advantages and disadvantages. Some are similar to any carpet product while others are unique.

TRAFFICMASTER CARPET ADVANTAGES:

Excellent selection: You have plenty of style and color options whether you select residential or commercial carpet. TrafficMaster also makes a limited selection of indoor/outdoor carpet and an impressive array of artificial grass carpet.

Customize your floor: TrafficMaster carpet tile floors can be just one carpet series and color or a blend of your favorite styles. Checkerboard, borders, stripes, random blends in a wide range of colors – the number of possibilities is infinite.

Carpet for every room or space: We’ve mentioned the wide range of styles. Equally impressive is the spectrum of places you can install TrafficMaster carpet. There are carpet lines for any room in the house or commercial building, and floor including those below grade, the garage and even carpet lines for the porch, deck or landscape.

Good value: Home Depot makes and sells the carpet. No “middlemen” means more competitive pricing. TrafficMaster carpet is available from a few other retailers, but prices from most aren’t much higher than they are at Home Depot.

Pro or DIY options: If you want quality wall-to-wall carpet, then choosing roll carpeting and having it professionally installed is a smart choice. That doesn’t mean you can’t DIY roll carpet, but the sizing, laying out of the carpet pieces, trimming and stretching the carpet onto the tack strips are a challenge if you want pro results.

The carpet squares are perfect for DIY installation whether you choose peel and stick carpet or the asphalt-backed commercial squares.

Recycled material and recyclable: TrafficMaster uses recycled material in many of its lines. Additionally, most carpet products are recyclable. However, few installers go through the hassle to get old carpet to a recycling plant. Today, most recyclable flooring products apart from wood still end up in landfills.

TRAFFIC MASTER CARPET DISADVANTAGES:

Not premium carpet: If you’re in the market for the best carpet available, you’ll have to look elsewhere – and pay 2-4 times more.

Warranty proration begins earlier: TrafficMaster warranties begin proration after 3 years. By year 8, TrafficMaster covers just 50% of replacement. By year 10 it is 35% and by year 15 it is 10%.

Mohawk is one example of better warranty coverage. Its better carpet warranties are non-prorated for 7 or 8 years. They reach 50% in years 10-14 depending on the product. In year 15, they average 10% to 40%.

You must clean the carpet by hot-water extraction every 12-18 months to keep warranty coverage. This is a common requirement among all carpet manufacturers.

VOCs: TrafficMaster currently dos not make a line of carpet with low volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These compounds are linked to many health issues including asthma, allergies, eye irritation and kidney problems.

If green flooring is a high priority, consider stone for its low VOCs and genuine wood for its sustainability.

TRAFFICMASTER CARPET INSTALLATION

Peel and stick carpeting is designed for DIYers. It can be installed on any subfloor material. Here are a few useful tips:

• Fill low spots with self-leveling concrete.
• Fill gaps in concrete with concrete filler.
• Sand raised edges of plywood or O.S.B.
• Vacuum and remove dirt from any subfloor. This is especially important for peel and stick carpeting to ensure good adhesion.

DIY installation of roll carpeting won’t void warranties, but it isn’t recommended due to the skill and experience needed to produce quality results.

If you plan DIY installation of roll carpet, watch online tutorials for guidance. TrafficMaster offers little installation advice.

TRAFFICMASTER CARPET MAINTENANCE

TrafficMaster recommends vacuuming the carpet at least weekly, more in areas with heavy traffic. Spills should be addressed immediately.

Home Depot, the manufacturer of TrafficMaster, offers this guide for protecting carpet and treating specific spills.

CONSUMER REVIEWS

What do home and business owners say about TrafficMaster carpet?

Here are TrafficMaster carpet reviews that provide insight into the pros and cons of TrafficMaster carpeting.

Me and a friend installed 800 sq. ft. of carpet tile in a weekend over new plywood underlayment. It goes fast. Just take your time setting each tile once you have pulled off the backing. It’s hard to pull up and reposition but can be done.

Tile smiles

I’ve used TrafficMaster brand in low-budget rental apartments and nice homes for years. The cheap stuff looks good for 4-6 years. The better grades hold up nicely for up to 10 years. That’s in rentals. It’s probably better in a home you own and show some care for. Still, like with any carpet, you get what you pay for in terms of quality and durability.

San Antonio Marco

Spent $18/sq. yd. [$2/sq. ft.] for texture carpet 3+ yrs ago. Holding up well, though a little noticeable wear in the front hallway that gets a lot of traffic.

Dianna in the 248

Love the 20” loop tiles in our training rooms! Tiles were scrunching up occasionally in the Pilates/aerobics room, so we put a dab of glue on each corner and side. No more issues. Tough and durable. Generally cleans pretty well. When a stain won’t come out, switching out a tile is simple.

Fitness Gal 90

Best TrafficMaster 12-foot Berber roll carpet looks fantastic in our condo. I had to ask the installer where the seam is. Doesn’t show.

Nic D

I install TrafficMaster roll carpet almost exclusively. Affordability is its top selling point. Very few callbacks for seam issues or other problems. I recommend using a quality pad.

Larry the Carpetman

About the Author:

Greca Fotopoulos

Greca is the lead style writer at Home Flooring Pros (more), with a BA in Technical Art, she’s focused on flooring trends, flooring ideas, and flooring brand reviews.

“There’s nothing more satisfying than creating a home that you love. The hardest thing about this job is trying not to covet all the great floors I get to review; if I could remodel my home every month, I would!”