Choosing the Best Carpet
School has been back in session, the family calendar is full, and cooler months are finally rolling in. With this, many homeowners are considering sprucing up their homes with new carpet before the holidays. Is new carpet on your pre-holiday wishlist? If so, the team at Thornton Flooring in North Sioux City, SD is ready to help! We’ve compiled a list of simple tips on choosing the very best carpet for your home and family. Read on to learn more!
Do Your Homework
Before you walk into your local flooring store, use your investigation skills to conduct online research. Talk to friends who may have recently installed new carpet. Scroll through websites of major carpet manufacturers like Shaw Floors for inspiration. You can also visit our own carpet inspiration gallery for more ideas. If you enter the carpet shopping process educated, you’ll feel more confident in your decision.
Select the Best Fiber
Not all carpet fibers are created equal. Nylon, polyester (PET), triexta, and olefin are the most common carpet fibers, but one fiber might be a better fit for your lifestyle over the other options. If you’re looking for a fiber that is easy to maintain, durable, and withstands traffic, type 6 nylon is consistently a good choice. Polyester (PET) carpet is soft and stain-resistant but typically doesn’t withstand high foot traffic for many years. Triexta is inherently stain-resistant and performs well. Most carpet manufacturers brand their respective fiber types, so you’ll want to be sure to ask a retail sales associate to explain the differences.
Choose the Style and Color
Once you’ve narrowed down a preferred fiber, it’s time to zero in on the carpet style and color. Saxony or plush carpet is more formal and traditional, but it can sometimes show vacuum marks and footprints. Textured carpet is great for active families with its multicolored yarn and varying pile height, which hides dirt. Frieze carpet can cost more but is very durable and has a great casual appearance. Loop products, like Berber, can feature a variety of stylish patterns and also make great room-size area rugs. Ask to take deck boards of your top carpet styles home to see if the style and color will work in your space. As you would with paint samples, preview the carpet sample in different lighting before making the final decision.
Understand the Warranty
Most major carpet manufacturers offer complete and competitive warranties to protect your carpet investment over the years. Be sure to understand the details of your warranty and the cleaning methods and frequency required to keep the warranty valid.
Get an Estimate and Schedule Installation
While we all love a good weekend DIY project, carpet installation is best left to the professionals. Here at Thornton Flooring, we’ve been professionally measuring and installing carpet for many years. Allow our team to thoroughly and properly measure your space, provide tips for preparing to install your flooring, recommend the best carpet padding, and, finally, install your new carpet. Proper installation will ensure that your carpet will last for many years to come—and that you love the finished product. Learn more about our carpet installation process here.
Are you ready to choose new carpet for your home? Reach out today to learn more or stop by our showroom to browse of large selection of carpet styles from leading manufacturers or browse our collection online. We can’t wait to help you select beautiful new carpeting for your home!
