Please school me on carpet

[2CRUZ]

Hey Fellas Can you help me out? I just had the house painted and now it's time to put down new carpet. Here is the problem I don't know "Jack ****" about carpet. You go the stores and they will tell you any thing you want to hear just to sell you the carpet. Can some one tell me what is the best type of carpet that will last and what is a good brand to buy.
Thanks Guys
Mike

 

[White Shadow]

I don't know a lot about carpet either, but what I can tell you is to avoid Empire (national chain) unless you don't mind low quality carpet that's about half as plush as even the mid-priced carpet store stuff.

 

[jrkrace]

I have been in it for 34 years and one of the only things I can tell you is that the installer is the key to the whole process. A good installer can take a piece of **** and make it look great and a hacker can take an expensive piece of carpet and make it look like ****.

As far as carpet goes, I'm partial to Karastan Smartstrand products. Great stain resistance for a fairly decent price....

 

[DTE]

The harder it is to get your fingers through the pile to the backing the better the carpet. The heavier the backing the better. If you can instantly spread the fibers and see the backing you probably need to move on. Cheap carpet has backing about like plastic. I have always dealt with 2 independent dealers and they both have closed due to age. So just last week we used another independent and I was well pleased. Bought a remnant ( which is what I always have bought ) They put down the carpet and vinyl in two rooms I have been remodeling. It looks great , was less than a grand. The only mishap was he broke a place at the bottom of the wall in the closet. That's a ***** but stuff happens. I started the repair on it this afternoon. I would see if you can't find a mom and pop store.

 

[jd_1138]

I'd get rid of the carpet and get hardwood laminate instead. My allergies are a lot better after I ripped up the old nasty carpet and put down laminate flooring.

It's not that much more money than carpeting. And you can choose between like 30 shades of wood.

 

[SilverSS1969]

Always look at what remnants they have. That's seems to be the best way to get a higher end carpet cheap. Both of my kids rooms I bought remnant and turned out great.

I personally like a heavier pad under the carpet too, seems softer on the feet.

 

[larry_g]

A lot of years ago a good friend in the carpet business explained to carpet code to me. There is a standard code on the label that shows what factory the carpet comes from and the style. The different stores and brands get these standard carpets and give them fancy names so you can't compare apples to apples. When you learn the code numbers, then you can compare apples to apples.

Found it, http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1509&context=extension_histall In this document under whats on the label.

In looking for this I remember she also explained that there also ~1000 different materials that can be called nylon. She also said that getting good padding is just as important as carpet and would use nothing less than 20lb (?) padding.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ford33]

I now install a commercial grade carpet in our rental properties. It costs a bit more than a standard plush carpet but wears well, doesn't stain easily and looks good for years. When it is time to replace my home carpet, I will use a commercial carpet.

The installer is the key. I had a carpet installed two weeks ago and the installer did not finish the seams well. Within a week they popped up and you could see them easily. The carpet looks great but the installation will need to be fixed.

Years ago i had an installer leave a job at one of my rental properties without vacuuming the plush, not commercial, carpet after installation. He left tens of thousands of small pieces of carpet fibers on the carpet. The next day when I visited the job site is when I noticed it. I tried to vacuum it with a household style vacuum and it just clogged the vacuum within seconds. I called the installation company and they did nothing. I used a shop vac to pickup all the pieces. Never will use those guys again.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Hey Fellas Can you help me out? I just had the house painted and now it's time to put down new carpet. Here is the problem I don't know "Jack ****" about carpet. You go the stores and they will tell you any thing you want to hear just to sell you the carpet. Can some one tell me what is the best type of carpet that will last and what is a good brand to buy.
Thanks Guys
Mike

Carpet is a way for dustmites, fleas, dead human skin, dirt , germs and other nasty things to rapidly accumulate and reproduce in your home.

 

[Eliteconcept]

I enjoy My carpet. I've had carpet, laminate, and hard wood. In order I prefer carpet, hardwood, and laminate. The reason I like carpet is with young children I think it more comfortable to be on the floor to play. The key with carpet is to vaccum it regularly and have it cleaned regularly. I'll never do laminate again. Don't care for it, to be it has a hollow sound to it.. and doesbt get enough variety in Its look

 

[larry_g]

Always look at what remnants they have. That's seems to be the best way to get a higher end carpet cheap. Both of my kids rooms I bought remnant and turned out great.

I personally like a heavier pad under the carpet too, seems softer on the feet.

Years back a friend in the business got us some 'seconds'. She explained that these are rolls that somehow failed inspection. Reasons could be color not matching the samples in the books sent out or maybe not a constant color. So it is something to ask about. She was able to order the seconds.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[apollo11]

use thick pad
9/16" 8# rebond is my favorite

 

[rburke65]

We bought an Olefin carpet as suggested by our friend the carpet cleaner, and a GOOd pad and it's been down for years. No children but 2 dogs and a cat and no...they "go" outside. Run the sweeper often. It's cleans up beautifully and no stains so far.