Has your carpet reached the end of its lifespan? Carpets change over time, especially when they endure a lot of traffic. If your flooring is dingy, worn, stretched, or stained, it may be time for a replacement.

Choosing what to install is important since you’ll be living with your decision for the next five to 15 years. You should consider several factors as you review your choices to ensure that your carpet looks great, fits your needs, and stays in good shape for as long as possible.

How to Pick the Right Carpet for Your Room

First and foremost, you should think about the space:

  • How much carpeting will you need?
  • How much sunlight will the space get?
  • How heavily trafficked is the space?
  • What activities do you plan to do in the space?

The answers should help you figure out what type and color of carpet you need. For example, if the areas are near the front door, you may want durable flooring that won’t easily show dirt.

Fibers

One of the most important choices you have to make is what fiber your carpet should be made of. There are several popular options, each with its own pros and cons:

  • Polyester: This fiber is known for its luxurious softness and stain resistance, but isn’t particularly durable.
  • Olefin: Fade-resistant and inexpensive, this fiber is fairly easy to clean but has low durability.
  • Triexta: Although new to the market, this fiber is popular due to its stain resistance and durability.
  • Nylon: Nylon is one of the most popular choices because it’s incredibly durable. However, it requires more maintenance than other fibers to prevent staining.

Cut

The cut style can drastically impact the carpeting’s texture and softness. If you visit a custom carpet center, you’ll likely see these standard styles:

  • Berber: Also called looped, this style has uncut loops. It’s prone to snagging, which makes it difficult to clean.
  • Frieze: These fibers are cut and tightly twisted, making it the most durable cut style. It’s also good for hiding dirt, but is usually quite expensive.
  • Saxony: Although pleasant to the touch, this style isn’t very durable and should therefore only be used in low-traffic areas.
  • Sculptured: This style has both cut and uncut loops placed into a pattern. It’s a good choice for hiding dirt but it can get expensive if you’re covering a large area.
  • Textured: Designed to hide dirt and marks, this cut style makes use of uneven tufts and a blend of yarn colors.

Color

You can find carpet in a variety of colors. However, choosing a color isn’t just about what happens to catch your eye. You have to consider how your lifestyle will affect the hue, as it’s likely to change after years of wear and tear.

For example, carpeting in sunlit areas will likely fade. Lighter colors are a better choice in this situation, as the fading shouldn’t be as noticeable.

If you have pets or children, however, darker color or mixed pattern may serve you better. These tend to hide dirt and stains, so you don’t have to worry about constantly cleaning your high-traffic areas.

Price

Price is often the deciding factor for most people, especially if you’re carpeting in Houston for multiple rooms. However, you should consider the long-term cost as well as the short-term. For example, a more expensive fiber type may last three times longer than an inexpensive option. If you want to avoid another large investment so soon, spending a little more right now may make sense.

Are you looking for home remodeling services in Texas? Houston Custom Carpets is here to help with flooring, plumbing, structural alterations, and more. To learn about our services or start your remodeling journey, give us a call at (281) 548-3600 or send us a message online.

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Nina Buday