10 tips for choosing a carpet(1)

There is no softer, more luxurious feeling than a carpet underfoot. Carpets provide a safe, comfortable place for children to play and can even reduce the risk of injury in the event of a fall. Of course, carpet requires some extra maintenance compared to vinyl or tile, but there is simply no substitute for sound absorption, warmth and overall comfort.

With so many different colours, materials and designs available, choosing the best carpet for your home can be difficult. Some materials may require frequent cleaning and simply won't fit into your busy schedule, some are expensive and some may even have an impact on your health. The wrong carpet can wear out quickly, fade or develop stubborn stains that resist your best cleaning efforts. Protect your investment and choose the best carpet for your home with these 10 tips for buying carpet.

10: Pick the perfect padding

Don't skimp on carpet padding just to save a few bucks. Just like a building needs a solid foundation, a carpet relies on a layer of padding to support, reinforce and provide a little extra cushioning. You can't see the padding, but if you choose an unsuitable padding material, you're sure to find extra wear and tear on your new carpet.

Carpet underlay is made from rubber or foam and can hide imperfections in the subfloor and improve the appearance of the finished floor. It also acts as an insulator, helping to control the temperature in your home and even absorbs sound, protecting your privacy and eliminating noise from your neighbours. Most importantly, the padding will support your carpet over many years of use as it prevents the carpet backing and fibres from separating over time.

Consult your carpet manufacturer for advice and opinions on padding. Typically, high-traffic areas require a strong, dense padding, while guest rooms and other low-traffic rooms may require less protection.

9. Consider the various carpet styles

Carpets come in many styles, including shag, Saxon, Berber, textured and burlap. These terms apply to its pile, which is the surface you see, formed by the yarn pile, either folded into loops or cut straight across, or both. While each style has a distinctive look, this shouldn't be your main consideration. Instead, look at how well your lifestyle fits with a particular rug style. For example, a shaggy rug is made of tightly wound pile that is thick, soft and inviting. However, it can also show footprints and hoover marks and may show so-called 'pools', or areas of shading due to the normal direction of the carpet fibres being reversed. Saxon carpets are the most common type of carpet and are similar to plush carpets. These carpet styles work best in low-traffic areas, such as formal living rooms and master bedrooms.

In contrast, Berber rugs are made from continuous loops of fibre that are flat and dense. It can have flat rings, cut rings or multi-stage ring designs. All these features mean that Berber carpets are extremely durable and do not show marks, mud or stains - ideal for high traffic areas, or where children frequent.

Textured carpets are made from fibres cut to different heights, which causes them to reflect light. This makes it difficult to see tracks and dirt. This type of carpet is therefore also very suitable for high-traffic areas. Some Berber are textured.

A shag is a cut pile carpet made from slightly twisted fibres. Its appearance is not as formal as shag, but it is more ornate than many textured pieces or Berbers. This type of carpet feels soft on the feet, but its fuzziness does a good job of hiding footprints and dirt.