A nice carpet makes a home truly feel like home. Choosing a carpet that reflects your style is an essential part of furnishing the home.
A tasteful, elegant carpet will give a unique character to any room and completely transform the atmosphere.
With a variety of styles and colors available, your carpet choice will reflect how you want to personalize your living space. Your carpet can be a neutral foundation or the statement piece of the room.
Bright and colorful carpets with intricate patterns add charm to the room and make it intriguing for the guests, while natural, soft-toned carpets bring harmony and coziness.
If you want your house to reflect a certain alluring aesthetic, never underestimate the role of the carpets when furnishing it.
When hunting for a nice carpet, it is natural to firstly think about the style, color, and patterns, however, do not forget that durability and longevity are equally important.
If you have faced the daunting task of choosing the right carpet for your home, this expert guide considers all the variables to help you find the longest wearing carpet type.
What is the most durable type of carpet?
The carpet type and material choice depend on the area where you are going to use it. If you need a carpet for a living-room area where you have higher traffic, it’s best to go for stain-resistant options, especially if you have kids and pets. High traffic areas also require the carpet to be quite durable.
The Carpet Fiber Type
For high-traffic areas, it would be ideal to have a low pile carpet that has short fibers. Since it is flat, this type of carpet can endure a lot of foot traffic and still look decent. Low pile carpets generally do not catch much dirt or debris and are easy to clean with a vacuum cleaner.
In addition, low-pile carpets are a great choice for people who suffer from allergies. Allergens will not lodge to your carpet’s surface as the fibers are short and flat.
That being said, if you do not like the flat appearance of low pile carpets, consider medium pile ones that offer a balance of ease and comfort.
Carpet Materials
Nylon carpets are known for their durability and resilience. These carpets are a good choice for high-traffic areas, as they are durable and stain-resistant if treated with stain protection. It is usually a wise choice for homes that host frequent parties and dirt and other messes are a concern.
They are quite affordable compared to wool options. Nylon carpets are not afraid of the sun, vacuuming, heavy traffic, and kids. With easy to clean fibers that are resistant to wear and abrasion, nylon carpets can be a wise investment for almost every household and serve you for years to come.
Olefin carpets are usually used in outdoor areas where moisture is a concern. These synthetic carpets are water-resistant and do not absorb liquids. They are quite affordable compared to other carpet types, however, you should consider a number of disadvantages before buying one.
Firstly olefin carpets are not durable and are recommended only for low-traffic areas to protect from matting and wear.
Even though they are water-resistant, they can absorb oils from food and be hard to clean, therefore not recommended for areas where you eat.
For bedrooms and low-traffic areas, most people prefer wool carpets. Wool is a completely natural material and is super soft and flame-resistant. Wool carpets provide warmth and a comfortable atmosphere and are pleasant to walk on. Generally, wool carpets are more expensive than other types. They are a great choice for bedrooms, where there is no high-traffic to get the carpet dirty.
Should carpet be lighter than walls?
It is common knowledge that the carpet will generally look lighter in your home than it does in the store. However, this catches many consumers by surprise. Consider going a shade darker, so that you are not disappointed in your choice when it arrives at your door.
The Weight And Density Of The Carpet
When choosing a carpet, it’s good to know that greater density means better durability. The carpet density is the combination of the pile height and face weight, and indicates the total volume of fibers contained in a unit of area.
If you want your carpet to look attractive for over 12 years, look for a durability rate of 2,200 or above. Decent density helps your carpet to withstand wear and quickly bounce back from traffic.
When choosing the right carpet density, always consider how much traffic the room gets.
The Twist Level Of The Carpet
For enhanced durability of the carpet, you should also consider the twist level, which is the number of twists on a one-inch area of the carpet. Great twist level ensures durability, as more twists reinforce the carpet stand. For optimum performance, a twist level of 5 will be enough, but if you are looking for great durability and longevity, go for 7 or more.
Carpets with low twist level tend to look shabbier with traffic and wear.
The Carpet Color
The color choice does not directly affect the durability of the fiber, however, it can affect the long-term appearance of the carpet. It is natural to choose a color scheme that will match your interior design, however, keep in mind that light-colored carpets easily show off the stains and wear than darker carpets. To avoid discoloration and fading, it is recommended to choose natural colored carpets, which also help to conceal stains.
The Importance of Maintenance
You can prolong the lifespan of your carpet by taking regular care of it. Carpets attract dust and dirt in the fibers, and getting rid of it regularly will not only keep the carpet looking bright and in a good condition, but also keep you and your family from inhaling these harmful particles.
If you spilled a liquid on the carpet, it’s better to clean it immediately by blotting the area with an absorbent white cloth. Avoid excessively rubbing the area, to keep the carpet’s texture intact.
Professional maintenance might be needed from time to time so that your carpet does not get dull and retains its natural color throughout the years.
If chosen carefully, a good carpet can serve you over 15 years with the right care. Try to balance the design with functionality so that your investment serves you for a long time.