DIY Network

Buying Carpet Find out the things to consider when purchasing carpet. From "Home Made Easy" episode DHME-104

Guest Carolyn Forte shares great tips on buying carpet. She will also show multiple types of carpeting and point out features that will help you decide what to buy.

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Take a crash course in how to pick the perfect carpeting for your home.

Buying Carpet

• Things to Consider. There are several things to consider when buying a carpet. Warranty is an important factor and a 15-20 year warranty is good. When buying carpet you also need to consider fiber type, woven vs. tufted, pile types and padding.

• Wool or Synthetic. Carpet is available in wool and synthetic fibers. Wool is natural, warm and strong. Wool is also significantly more expensive and it is not as resistant to stains. Synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester are the most popular--nylon coming in first. It is the strongest, has great stain resistance, and holds its color well. It is also easy to clean and a good carpet to have if you have children. Polyester has a lot of the same characteristics as nylon, it just doesn't feel as good on your feet--and it mats easily.

• Longevity. The determining factor in the longevity in carpet is how long it lasts and how good it looks over time. There are different piles, and pile type is the key difference between carpets and will determine how long the carpet will handle wear and tear. Cut pile is the most common and creates a velvety look but is not great for high traffic areas. Looped pile creates a smooth surface with an informal look and is great for high traffic areas. Twisted loops provide more texture and a firmer surface which is also good for high traffic areas. Lastly there is cut and loop which is combining both styles. This type creates interesting surface texture and durability, so it is good for high traffic areas also.

• Tufted or Woven. Carpets are either made one of two ways--tufted or woven. Tufted carpet is the most popular for homes. The yarn is mechanically attached to adhesive-sealed primary and secondary backings in loops, which are left as they are, or cut and twisted. With woven carpet, the pile is woven with the backing to form a single fabric. Woven carpets always last longer and can hold more detailed patterns, but they are double the price of tufted.

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