Carpet: Research your needs

In order to end up with the carpet best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of carpet are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in carpet.

Research the market: Carpet essentials

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the carpet market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Type: Do you need an industrial-strength loop or frieze carpet for high traffic areas? How about a plush wool and cotton Saxony or a soft Berber carpet for living areas? Shag carpets are stylish, but may not be practical. Most carpets are made with two or more materials twisted together, such as silk and wool or cotton and polyester. Some carpets retain the loop and others have the tip of the loop cut, depending on the style.

Texture: Textures vary from shag to industrial. The texture of the carpet is largely defined by the style and function of the carpet. Saxonies, for example, are the most popular carpet for bedrooms and living areas because they are so soft. On the other hand, Frieze is perfect for high-traffic areas because it is not as soft and better repels stains and foot traffic marks.

Colors: Carpets are available in almost any imaginable color or hue, depending on what you need it for. Neutral colors are important if you might be selling your home soon. Carpet with patterns hide stains better than solid-colour. Light colours show off stains the most.

Cost: Carpet costs vary by brand, size, texture, pattern and type. More durable carpets are generally treated with a stain guard and will be more expensive. Less expensive carpets may be great temporary measures, but will most likely not be as durable or as attractive because the materials are cheaper.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in carpet. For example, will you use the carpet only for the bedrooms?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I used carpet before?
	If you have used carpet, work out what you did or didn't like about the carpet. You may be looking for something exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

What do I want to use the carpet for?
	Some options could be for warmth, or perhaps comfort for your children, or protection for your floors.

Where will I install it?
	It could be in a high-traffic part of your home or perhaps in your child's playroom

How often will I be able to replace or clean it?
	If your carpet is in a high-traffic location, such as the foyer, you will want to clean it often, but have the ability to also replace it when necessary.

How much do I want to spend?
	Brand, room size and carpet type will largely influence the cost of the carpet.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of carpet and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.

Video Links

Carpet Manufacturers Warehouse - Promo
Promotional video for the Carpet Manufacturers Warehouse. The company sells discount carpets in the United States. (3m 0s)