Some tips of the trade when shopping for carpet. Speaking of finishes, find out if the finish is applied during the manufacture of the fiber or after the fibers are dyed. While a good wool carpet such as an Axminster or Wilton will last the rest of your life and a few more generations to boot, most of us tire of our carpet color or style long before it truly wears out. Just like other fiber-based goods, look for fiber counts or tufts per square inch. If footprints bother you, shop for a frieze (varied lengths) or looped carpet styles such as berber. " Short piles matt less. If you are buying a lower grade carpet, one trick of the trade to make it feel more luxurious is to upgrade the pad. 4 ways to keep carpet looking good Vacuum once or twice a week Steer clear of soap-based spot cleaners that leave a residue and attract more dirt Spot clean with club soda Have your carpet furnishings professionally cleaned once a year New carpet can perk up a home in a single day. Even moderately priced carpets can vary in quality. Don't confuse density with the length of the fiber. They are floor covers which will wear, stain and bore us before long. It is quiet in upstairs spaces, and in very small rooms it can give the impression the layout is larger. Melissa Palazzo from Pal Smith in Costa Mesa says allergies seem to be a primary cause of homeowners trending away from carpet. Consider how long on average you keep your carpet before deciding what's worth paying for in treatments and finishes. Something to think about and a good reason to look for moderately priced carpets. When it comes to color, keep in mind that dark carpets show lint, light carpets show dirt. Expensive or not, make sure the installation is top notch. |