Although hardwood floors are rapidly rising in popularity, carpets never go out of style. There are so many different kinds to choose from that you’re sure to find one that fits perfectly into any room of your home. The main problem, however, is how to choose the best one for your home.
Why Install Carpeting?
People who choose carpeted floors for their home rarely regret the decision. There is something undeniably wonderful about stepping on to a warm and comfortable carpet with bare feet on a cold winter’s morning, and a fully carpeted room always looks luxurious. As there are so many different colors and styles of carpet to choose from, there is always one to complement your existing décor, whether you want a neutral shade that blends perfectly with your furniture or whether you want to add a splash of vibrant color to your room.
What Types Of Carpet Are There?
There are six main types of carpet, each one with its own performance features and characteristics. Before you choose the right one for you, you need to determine which type will work best for your lifestyle.
- Textured – a type of carpet with a dense pile which is ideal for hiding vacuum tracks and footprints. The tailored look of a textured carpet is perfect for all kinds of rooms.
- Saxony – sometimes called a plush carpet, a Saxony carpet has a velvety and smooth pile as well as a uniform finish for an elegant and formal look. This carpet type works well in a dining room, master bedroom and traditionally styled living room. On the downside, this carpet usually shows vacuum tracks and footprints.
- Frieze – this carpet is made from tightly twisted yarn strands which are cut and curled at the ends for a casual and tousled look. This type of carpet is perfect for use in areas of high traffic since vacuum tracks and footprints won’t show up so much.
- Cable – this carpet has a thick-cut pile made from chunky, long yarns which have a cushy and cozy feel underfoot. Perfect for informal spaces and casual rooms, the longer length fibers of this carpet are easily matted and crushed making this a poor choice for any areas of high traffic.
- Berber or Loop carpet – with a pile made from uncut thick yarn which has been woven into a set of loops, this carpet is very durable and ideal for use in areas of high traffic and in family spaces.
- Pattern or cut and loop – this carpet has varying textures due to the looped and cut yarns which combine to make a patterned effect on the surface. With its low pile, it hides stains effectively and copes well even in high traffic areas.
When Is A Carpet A Bad Idea?
Although carpets look great in all kinds of rooms, they are often a poor choice in areas prone to spills, damp or water damage – for example in bathrooms and kitchens. The humid environment in these spaces can lead to mold and mildew which can cause unpleasant odors and bacteria build up for an unhygienic environment.
Also, carpets are a poor idea in areas where there is likely to be a lot of ground-in mess. For example, areas with high pet traffic such as around food bowls or litter trays are not ideal when carpeted as dirt and grime can rapidly accumulate which is then hard to remove.
How Much Does Carpeting Cost?
There are a number of factors to bear in mind when trying to determine how much a carpet should cost for your home. Firstly, the shape and size of the room to be carpeted is the main factor along with the style of the carpet that you have chosen, whether any furniture will need to be removed from the space, the cost of removing any old flooring, and the labor costs of laying the carpet.
Overall, the national average cost of having a carpet laid is around $1599, although homeowners tend to pay anywhere between $768 and $2527. Some lucky homeowners, however, have been able to buy a carpet for their home for just $200, while others have splashed out up to $4000. Clearly, there’s a lot of deviation here, so if we break down the costs by square foot it’ll be easier to determine the costs for you.
- The cost of the carpet itself – $1 to $11 per square foot
- The cost of any padding (when not included in the labor or carpet cost) $0.30 to $0.60 per square foot
- The labor cost of laying the carpet – $0.50 to $1 per square foot
- The cost of any add-ons for labor such as special cuts, removing furniture etc – $0.50 to $2 per square foot
By this calculation, a standard 12×12’ room with no unusual cutouts or angles will cost around $300 to $750 for a carpet installation with a low or middle grade carpet i.e. $2 to $5 per square foot.
The Ongoing Costs Of Carpet Maintenance
Unfortunately, the cost of a carpet doesn’t end when it’s installed in your home as there are a number of ongoing maintenance costs to bear in mind. You will need to figure in the cost of cleaning on a regular basis in order to ensure your carpet stays looking good. Having regular professional carpet cleans will keep your carpet hygienic and flawless, preserving its lifespan. Although the cost of carpet cleaning varies, you can expect to pay anywhere between $121 to $233 to have your home’s carpets professionally cleaned.
Of course, you will also need to invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner for routine maintenance on a daily and weekly basis. You can expect to pay around $150 for a quality model, although some cost more depending on your individual requirements – for example, whether you require a model with an integrated HEPA filter to guard against allergies, or a vacuum which can clean up pet hair.
What’s Next
Hopefully, reading this guide has made you an informed shopper ready to make a confident decision about your new flooring! If there’s a question we haven’t answered, let us know with a comment. For more of our expert reviews, recommendations, and advice for all your lifestyle needs, check out our homepage!
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