Dos & Don’ts When Buying Carpet
At Sloane’s, we answer questions about carpet every day. In fact, after nearly 60 years in the carpet business, we’ve amassed enough knowledge for a couple of seasons’ worth of podcasts. But instead of subjecting you to all that scintillating content, we’ve asked John McConnell, our general manager, for a few dos and don’ts when buying carpet.
DO think about what you want from your carpet before you shop.
“Some customers are set on buying the softest, comfiest carpet,” says McConnell. “Others want it to wear like a steel plate.” You can certainly find carpet that meets each preference, but you’ll be giving up some things in the process. The comfiest carpets lack durability and those that are made for the highest traffic won’t be as soft. “Compromise,” advises the GM. “You can find a better performing carpet if you give in a little on strong preferences.” The staff at Sloane’s Carpet Secret is trained to guide customers through a series of questions that help determine which carpet best fits your lifestyle.
DON’T believe that all carpets are basically the same.
Some carpets may share the same general appearance, but it’s all about how and what they’re made of. McConnell counts density, face weight and twist rate as his top three measurements of a carpet’s quality.
- Density–how close together the strands of the fiber are.
- Face weight–the weight of the carpet pile per square yard of carpet, measured in ounces. This term refers to the weight of the carpet’s fibers only, not the backing material.
- Twist rate–the number of times a strand of fiber is twisted per inch.
“If I can find a carpet with density, face weight and twist rate in the mid- to high ranges, I know I’m getting a high quality carpet.”
DO some research on carpet styles.
McConnell outlines three basic styles–Berbers, LCL (Level Cut Loop) patterns and plush. “Berber is a closed-loop carpet that’s ideal for high traffic areas,” he recommends, although it’s not ideal for people with cats as their nails can catch in the loops. Plush or cut-pile carpet works beautifully in bedrooms due to its velvety softness, and LCL patterns come in a range of distinctive styles and varying levels of durability. For more details, check out our Carpet Buyer’s Guide. The wide range of inventory at Sloane’s changes every 90 days, so you’re sure to find something you like.
Don’t choose lots of different colors/carpets for different rooms.
McConnell has seen customers opt for blue in the bedroom, green in the office and grey in the family room. “It may be what you want in the short term, but all those different colors aren’t great when it comes time to sell,” he comments.
Do measure the rooms you’re carpeting.
Sloane’s offers a free worksheet that’s easy to use. Our master installers can also take care of capturing precise measurements for you. Just remember, adds the manager, that carpet comes in 12-foot rolls. If you have a 10’ by 10’ room, you’ll be buying 120 square feet of carpet not 100.
Don’t skimp on padding.
Padding comes in different poundages, classes (class 1 for low traffic, class 2 for high traffic) and thicknesses. Rely on an expert like McConnell or another Sloane’s professional to guide you on this important piece of your investment that can help increase the life of your carpet.
Do opt for a professional installation.
“All carpet should be power stretched,” recommends McConnell, referring to a levered tool that ensures the carpet is flat and taut. The Sloane’s master installers only use this method. The other way involves a knee-kick tool, which only places the carpet on the carpet tacks, setting it up for unwanted movement and even bubbles.
Don’t forget to clean your investment.
McConnell relates, “Our stance has always been to professionally steam-clean your carpet when it needs it.” This doesn’t negate the fact that frequent vacuuming helps carpet last longer. “Vacuuming is to carpet as a washing machine is to clothes.” Taking good care of your carpet really counts in the long run.