Choosing Carpets

With so much choice available, getting the right carpet for the right place in your home or business can be an extremely daunting prospect. However, luckily for us, improvements in fibre technology and carpet construction techniques mean there are very few really poor carpets, and that even the less expensive carpets will wear well if they are put in the right place.

Different fibres and carpet constructions will produce certain properties - wool carpets, nylon carpets, polypropylene carpets or a blend of fibres will each react differently within the same location. You will find that it pays to spend slightly more for higher quality carpets for areas of high wear such as living areas and hallways, but you may well be able to save money in areas where those feet aren't quite as frequent, such as the bedroom.

The durability of a carpet depends on several factors and each must be considered at the purchasing stage: the carpet pile itself, the fibre, the weight of the fibre and the density of the pile will all contribute or detract from a carpet's suitability for your chosen location.

In this section, you'll find an in-depth guide to choosing a new carpet; from a rundown of the reasons why you may want to choose carpet over any other floorcovering, to a look at the factors such as texture, colour, style and location that may affect your choice. There's also a look at some alternatives to standard carpeting, including carpet tiles and antique carpets.