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Carpeting: Carpeting

The Comprehensive Guide to Carpeting for Homeowners

When it comes to selecting floor coverings for a home, carpeting stands out as a popular choice for many homeowners. Its warmth, comfort, and vast range of styles and textures make it an appealing option for various living spaces. This guide aims to provide an in-depth understanding of carpeting, helping consumers make informed decisions while shopping for this essential home feature.

Understanding Carpet Types

Carpeting comes in numerous types, each offering unique benefits and aesthetics. The most common types include:

  • Plush Carpet:
    Characterized by a smooth and even surface, plush carpets offer a luxurious feel underfoot. They are ideal for formal areas but can show footprints and vacuum tracks.
  • Berber Carpet:
    Known for its looped construction and durability, Berber carpets are well-suited for high-traffic areas. They resist stains and wear but can be less comfortable underfoot compared to softer varieties.
  • Frieze Carpet:
    With its twisted fibers, frieze carpets provide a textured appearance that helps in hiding footprints and vacuum marks. They offer a balance of comfort and durability, making them suitable for various settings.
  • Patterned Carpet:
    These carpets feature distinct patterns and can be a combination of cut and looped fibers. They add a decorative element and are often used in formal settings or to make a design statement.
  • Textured Carpet:
    Offering a casual look, textured carpets have fibers of uneven lengths that create a more informal, cozy feel. They are versatile and suitable for many living areas.

Choosing the Right Material

Carpets are made from a variety of materials, each with its own properties:

  • Nylon: Renowned for its durability and resilience, nylon is a popular choice for households with heavy foot traffic and pets.
  • Polyester: Known for its stain resistance and vibrant colors, polyester is a budget-friendly option but may not be as durable as nylon.
  • Wool: A natural fiber, wool offers a luxurious feel and excellent durability. It is environmentally friendly but can be more expensive.
  • Olefin (Polypropylene): Olefin is highly stain and moisture-resistant, making it suitable for basements or outdoor areas. However, it can flatten over time.
  • Triexta: A newer material, Triexta combines durability with stain resistance, often compared favorably with nylon.

Padding and Installation

The comfort and longevity of a carpet are significantly influenced by its padding and installation. Quality padding not only provides additional comfort but also supports the carpet, extending its life. It’s crucial to choose a padding that matches the carpet type and the room’s usage.

Professional installation is recommended for most carpet types to ensure proper fitting and to maximize the carpet’s lifespan. Incorrect installation can lead to premature wear and tear, wrinkles, or separation at the seams.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Regular maintenance is key to keeping carpets looking their best. Vacuuming regularly, addressing spills promptly, and periodic deep cleaning are essential practices. Additionally, understanding the specific cleaning recommendations for the carpet material is crucial to avoid damage.

Considerations for Health and Environment

Consumers increasingly consider health and environmental impact in their carpet choices. Low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) options are available, reducing the risk of indoor air pollution. Additionally, some carpets are made from recycled materials, appealing to environmentally conscious shoppers.

Cost Factors

The cost of carpeting can vary widely based on the type, material, and quality. While budget is an important consideration, it’s also essential to consider the value over time. Investing in a higher-quality carpet may offer better longevity and durability, resulting in a more cost-effective solution in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Carpeting offers homeowners a blend of comfort, style, and functionality. By understanding the different types, materials, and considerations involved in choosing and maintaining a carpet, consumers can make decisions that enhance the beauty and comfort of their homes while also ensuring long-lasting value. Whether it's the plush elegance of a luxurious pile or the durable practicality of a Berber loop, there's a carpet to suit every home and lifestyle.



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Brand Overview


Anderson-Tuftex Carpet | Pittsburgh, PA
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Anderson-Tuftex Carpet 


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We craft products designed with the ideals of our customers in mind and then match them to their perfect home. We sell craftsmanship and timeless design principles. We sell simplicity and quality, purpose, refinement and comfort. We sell natural beauty that doesn’t fade. 

Couristan Carpet | Pittsburgh, PA
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Couristan Carpet 


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Since its establishment over nine decades ago, Couristan and its entire team has dedicated itself to a universal commitment of excellence. Weaving four key components into every product – Trust, Style, Quality and Innovation – Couristan has earned its place as one of the most highly regarded companies in the floor covering industry. This long-standing position of success is a direct result of providing customers with the highest levels of design, value and customer service. 

Mohawk Carpet | Pittsburgh, PA
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Mohawk Carpet 


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More than anything, carpet manufacturers like Mohawk have your specific lifestyle in mind. That's why we innovated the softest, most family-friendly and pet-friendly carpets ever. Our carpet stands up to high-traffic wear and resists life's spills and stains like never before. With so many colors and textures to choose from, there's no reason to put off buying new carpet. With Mohawk, you're sure to find carpeting that suits both your lifestyle and your budget.  

Milliken Commercial Carpet | Pittsburgh, PA
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Milliken Commercial Carpet 


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Today's economic climate demands both functional and aesthetic environments. When it comes to floor coverings, Milliken modular, broadloom and rugs meet these demands and much more. Milliken Carpet represents a true marriage of function and form, offering unparalleled advantages such as style and innovation; flexibility and performance; value and service.  

Dixie Home Patterned Carpets | Pittsburgh, PA
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Dixie Home Patterned Carpets 


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Dixie Home offers an array of high fashion, trendsetting,broadloom residential products. These highly differiential products use premium yarns and offer the consumer above average styles and performance. 

Shaw Carpet | Pittsburgh, PA
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Shaw Carpet 


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Like you, Shaw Floors is passionate about creating beautiful homes founded on innovative design and lasting function. We know that a beautiful room doesn’t happen by accident. Shaw offers more than 25,000 carpet styles and colors. That means your ultimate carpet choices will always reflect your own, unique vision. 

Glen Eden Wool Carpet | Pittsburgh, PA
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Glen Eden Wool Carpet 


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Glen Eden, where outstanding quality and beauty come together to make a lasting impression. That's why Glen Eden Wool Carpet adorns some of the most prestigious addresses in the world. From the White House to Buckingham Palace, dignitaries across the globe choose elegant Glen Eden Wool Carpet to embellish their political arenas as well as their private quarters. The resilient, durable nature of Glen Eden Wool Carpet greets thousands of visitors each year with plush comfort. 

Aladdin Commercial Hard Surface | Pittsburgh, PA
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Aladdin Commercial Hard Surface 


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rom innovative design trends in LVT and resilient sheet products, Aladdin Commercial leads the industry as the preferred choice for commercial hard surface flooring. Is your project on a tight timeline? Our Quick Ship program delivers flooring in 10 business days or less.  

Kraus Carpet | Pittsburgh, PA
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Kraus Carpet 


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The Kraus Group is one of the largest integrated carpet and flooring manufacturers and distributors in North America with facilities throughout Canada and the USA. Established in 1959, the Group has grown from a sole manufacturing facility to a multinational distributor servicing approximately 10,000 customers in both the residential and commercial flooring markets. 

Mannington Commercial Carpet | Pittsburgh, PA
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Mannington Commercial Carpet 


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Mannington commercial flooring has been recognized as a leader in product innovation, styling, and design, as well as in operational excellence and environmental stewardship. With industry-leading fiber systems and superior manufacturing, our vast array of carpet styles look better and last up to 75% longer than any other carpet in the marketplace. 

Shaw Life Guard Carpet | Pittsburgh, PA
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Shaw Life Guard Carpet 


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Life can be messy...especially for active households with kids & pets. LifeGuard carpet is worry proof and waterproof for a cleaner home. 

Southwind Carpets | Pittsburgh, PA
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Southwind Carpets 


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Southwind has maintained a sole focus on producing high quality, affordable broadloom carpeting, providing a complete range of residential and Main Street commercial carpets.