If you haven’t shopped for carpet in a while, you will be pleasantly surprised. Carpet styling and performance has seen many advances in recent years. Today's carpet manufacturers are using technology to combine texture, color and pattern to create exciting new looks. You will also see softer fibers, better stain resistance and advanced construction techniques that deliver great feel under foot while being extremely durable...

So read on... the information here will make your final carpeting decision an easy one.

Carpet is made up primarily of fiber or “yarn.” Below, we’ve outlined the choices you’ll have in carpet fibers. Keep in mind that all carpet styles may not be available in all fibers.

• Most popular type of fiber, nylon holds up better against matting and crushing
  
  
• Highly stain and soil resistant, among the easiest to clean
  
  
• Constructed in two ways, staple nylon and Bulk Continuous Filament (BCF) nylon
  
  
• Staple nylon has a lush, natural and soft appearance. “Shedding” in the first six months after installation is normal with staple fiber
  
  
• BCF does not shed and tends to be slightly more durable
  
  
• Both staple and BCF are offered in a wide range of colors
  
  

Wool:

• Most expensive carpet fiber
  
  
• Very durable
  
  
• Provides a warm, rich, and natural look
  
  
• Resists flame, soil, and crushing
  
  
• Easier to stain than nylon
  
  

Polypropylene (Also referred to as Olefin):

• Most commonly used in Berber carpeting
  
  
• Stain, moisture, and fade resistant to most stains
  
  
• Exceptionally easy to clean water-based stains
  
  
• Does not come in the variety and boldness of colors offered by other fibers
  
  
• Lower grades can be prone crush and flatten leaving worn patterns in heavy traffic areas
  
  
• Susceptible to oil-based stains
  
  

Polyester:

• Cost effective, easy to clean and soft
  
  
• Frequently used in low traffic areas, as it has less resiliency than nylon
  
  
• Resists water-based stains
  
  
• Susceptible to oil-based stains
  
  
• Vibrant color options available
  
  
  

Today, most carpet styles are treated with a coating to give you stain resistance, making it easier to keep clean and more resistant to the traffic wear.

A few facts about stain-resistant treated carpets:

• A stain-resistant finish can allow a carpet to remain cleaner up to three to four times longer.
  
  
• Stain-resistance protects the carpet by keeping dirt from sticking so tightly to the fiber and provides some protection against stains.
  
  
• Loosely held dirt can be removed more easily from the treated carpet with regular vacuuming.
  
  
• Many fiber coatings can also help reduce annoying static shock.
  
  

When reviewing your fiber choices, you will hear about brand names such as, Anso, Weardated, and Dupont, Stainmaster. Each is a high quality choice. While, there are subtle differences between each, the performance of each is exceptional. Review the product warranty information for detailed information by brand...

The majority of carpets sold today are made from nylon fibers twisted into yarns and then tufted, like a large sewing machine, into carpet.

How a carpet is constructed has a major impact on how it will perform in your home. How long a carpet will retain its like-new texture and appearance is based on the type of fiber, how tightly the yarns are twisted and the pile density.

Be sure to keep both style and performance in mind while reviewing the construction descriptions we’ve included below.

Velvet

• Fine, tip-sheared surface
  
  
• Dramatic, elegant, formal, tailored
  
  
• More expensive
  
  
• Usually made with staple fiber
  
  

Padding

Most residential carpet installations include a separate carpet padding layer. Also referred to as cushion, the carpet pad you select is almost as critical as the carpet itself. Padding is frequently upgraded because a superior quality pad provides big benefits for a small investment.

There are numerous processes and materials used to manufacture padding, but the most important thing to focus on is the level of quality. Have your design consultant let you touch and test different pads under samples of carpet so you can feel the difference for yourself. Don’t be shy – go so far as to take off your shoes to get the full feeling of luxury achieved by a quality cushion.

Here are more details about the advantages and benefits padding can bring to your home.

Advantages of Padding

Extends Carpet’s Life

• The primary reason for using padding is to extend the appearance and life of your carpet.
  
  
• Padding helps absorb the everyday wear-and-tear inflicted on your carpet.
  
  
• This energy absorption helps your carpet look new longer while minimizing wear patterns.
  
  

Adds Softness Underfoot

• Padding also adds a feeling of luxury and support underfoot.
  
  
• Carpet alone can be hard and unyielding to walk on – a quality cushion acts as a shock absorber
  
  

Reduces Noise

• Noises from footsteps, loud music, or even loud voices will be diminished by the acoustical properties of carpet.
  
  
• Cushion helps ensure peace and quiet on the floor below.
  
  

Regulates Temperatures

• Like insulation in the walls of your house, most types of carpet padding block the movement of hot or cold air
  
  
• For use with radiant heat, rubber cushion is recommended.
  
  

Eases Cleaning

• Studies show that the use of carpet padding makes vacuuming easier
  
  
• A quality cushion increases air-flow, allowing dirt held deep within the carpet to more freely move to the vacuum head.