What Carpet or Rug is Right for Me?

Choosing the right carpet can be daunting, how can you determine what’s right for you? Find out in our guide to choosing the right carpet for you!

Room function 

First, you must consider what the function of the space to be carpeted is. Ask yourself the following questions:

• How much foot traffic happens in this room?
• Will there be pets here?
• Will there be children or elderly people in this room regularly?
• What is the function of this room? (ex. Bedroom for sleeping and relaxing, or living room as the center of the home and place of entertainment)
• Proximity to entry and exit points of the home
• Inside or outside? (for color fastness)
• How much sunlight does this space receive?
• What are my aesthetic goals for this room?
• How often do I clean this room’s floors?

These questions can help you determine what you need and want out of your carpets and rugs for a particular space, thankfully there are many options, so it’s unlikely you’ll need to compromise between function and fashion.

Carpet Weave

Carpet fibers are woven in different ways to serve their purposes, here are the basic types of carpet weaves that you can find in your own home!

Cut Pile:

Identifiable by open ended twists, the cut pile is a common construction that offers different tufts and twists to determine durability. Denser tufts (thickness of the top of the twist) are more comfortable and tighter twists are more durable for high traffic areas. These kinds of carpets are diverse with many kinds of textiles being twisted, each with their own benefits, but generally considered good for high traffic areas and pets. However, these are prone to becoming flat due to repetitive stepping in the same place and furniture, regular cleaning, brushing with a soft bristled brush in stubborn areas, and furniture rotating can help resist or ease flattening. 

Loop Pile:

There are a few different types of loop pile, all are easily identifiable by their fun loops rather than the open ended tufts of the cut pile. The classic loop pile consists of same size loops, while patterned loops are arranged in a pattern of loop sizes. Cut and loop are common in carpets with embedded designs and combine the loop and cut pile weaves. 

Some sources suggest loop pile carpets and rugs to people with pets, however, the loops can get snagged on claws. This could lead to carpet and rug damage and/or a stuck, confused pet. Loop pile carpets can be extra stylish with their ability to create patterns and carve out designs in the carpet itself. However, it may be better for young children and the elderly to have a shorter cut, even surface, so choose your patterns carefully for your intended use. Like any carpet, loop piles need regular vacuuming, but can show marks more readily than its cut pile counterpart. 

Carpet Types

There are hundreds of kinds of carpets for customers to choose from, and all in different patterns, textures, and colors! If there's a specific vibe or function you want from your carpet, there is a carpet for you! These are just a few of the plethora of carpets available on the market. 

Textured plush- Has a casual vibe, hides vacuum marks and footprints. This carpet sticks straight up and has a tight twist. It’s strong and keeps well in living spaces and bedrooms. A lightly colored version of this carpet may show stains more readily due to the uniform color.

Saxony- Similar to textured plush, but with a slightly looser twist for an extra soft feel, it’s popular in living rooms. This type also allows for the subtle highlights in your carpet to shine, the slight variation in color hides stains a little better and also hides marks in the carpet.

Frieze- Distinguishable by the “curly” look of the fibers, it’s tightly woven and dense. The curly texture hides stains the best of the latter and is very comfortable. It adds lovely texture and fun to a space, but can be subject to flattening, especially in high traffic areas. It's longer fibers might be hazardous to those who cannot move around well, such as the elderly. 

Velvet/ Plush- One of the softest, most luxurious carpets and rugs one can get. They’re teddy-soft, very dense. Shows marks in the carpet (like vacuums and foot prints) and are more difficult to clean due to density. These can have an almost shiny look and are the highest maintenance of this group. If you have children, pets, or are very spill prone, perhaps get a dark color or stray away. If you’re looking for a rich, bold, and incredibly soft fiber (and don’t mind the potential upkeep!), you’ll fall in love with this beautiful carpet.

Padding

It’s easy to forget about padding under your carpet, but it’s just as important as the carpet itself! Luckily, finding the correct carpet padding can be simplified by looking at the carpet manufacturer’s label for the appropriate padding thickness and density. Getting the incorrect padding may result in a more readily damaged carpet, cleaning struggles, uncomfortable floors, non-optimal or incorrect installation, and voiding of carpet warranty. This padding is usually foam, and meant to add the support your carpet needs to last longer in your home. This padding is also sound absorbent and provides insulation on your floors to keep your heating and cooling bills down! Your carpet experience is shaped by the invisible padding underneath, whether you know it or not!

Colors

Carpets and rugs come in a variety of colors, rugs are really good for adding a larger splash of color, while carpet, like walls, set the tone of your room. A neutral, light color often makes the room appear bigger and more open, while dark colors are more cozy and comforting. Carpet colors that are not neutral often require specific styling to be cohesive instead of jarring, however, can be a lovely addition to a room. Colorful rugs, however, are much easier to make work as they’re less over-powering in a space and may not require much styling to add a "pop of color" in a classy manner. 

Carpet Care

When getting a new carpet or rug, it’s important to keep carpet care in mind. Luckily, Chem-Dry is an industry leader in carpet/ rug cleaning and care, we can help you get the very best out of your carpet, whether your carpet is brand new, or very old. Our special carbonated process is effective and gentle on your soft surfaces. What’s more is it’s gentle enough to be used around pets and kids, with a natural formula and no harsh chemicals!

Your local Chem-Dry is here to help and equipped with both the technology and experience to clean your carpets, rugs, and upholstery to perfection. Chem-Dry is a highly rated, industry leader featured in the Franchise 500 for over 40 years in a row due to our commitment to excellent cleanings and customer service. Our carpet cleaning solutions work effectively even on the toughest odors and stains, but are gentle for you, your workplace, and family. If you’re happy with your experience and results, leave us a Google review! We love to hear your feedback and share with our community. 

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Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Cheval, FL and surrounding areas

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