Carpet Basics

Carpet is an investment in your home like any other time. Here are a few basics to round out your carpet “know-how.”

Make sure your carpet knowledge is on firm footing (ha!). The hands-on education you’ll get at your nearest Macco’s Floor Covering Centers will trump anything you can find online, but here are some basic considerations: There are only six varieties of carpet to keep in mind:

• Textured - alternating twists create a two-toned appearance. Great for a less formal look and for rooms that get lots of use.
• Plush - sometimes called Saxony, the uniform twist and finish creates an even, elegant look. Not the best choice for high traffic areas.
• Frieze – a textured carpet where tight twisting causes strands to curl at the ends. The best choice for high traffic areas.
• Cable – a style built from thicker, longer strands. Super comfortable and rich-looking but can mat and crush when exposed to heavy foot traffic. Not the best choice for stairs.
• Looped – sometimes called Berber. Because the strands are not cut, these carpets excel in durability. Seams can be more visible with this style.
• Cut & Loop – combining these two construction forms creates design possibilities, such as a carved appearance, patterns, and more. High performance, but seams can present challenges.

Carpet Installation

Aside from area rugs, carpeting is the easiest floor covering to install and update. Carpeting rolls are typically 12’ – 15’ wide. If your room is wider than 15’, your carpet will be installed with a seam. But fear not…we know how to do this! Carpeting with longer/deeper pile makes seams easier to hide.

Plush

The nap of all carpets is directional, creating the tracks you see when you vacuum, or walk on the carpet. The plusher the pile, the more visible that shading will be. Keep that in mind when choosing carpet for high traffic areas.

Durability

Carpet durability is a function of material, pile density, and twist tightness. Wool and nylon offer the highest durability. Higher pile density and tighter twisting are better for durability.

Carpet Padding

Carpet cushion, or padding, is the layer of material installed beneath the carpet. Pay no attention to the color of the cushion sample in the store…it isn’t visible once the carpet is installed. But do pay attention to the impact the choice of cushion will have on the appearance of the finished job and the feeling of the carpet underfoot.

Color

Store lighting and home lighting are not the same. Often, carpeting appears lighter once installed than when viewing the sample swatch. Lighter colored carpet helps give an impression of space, and conversely, darker carpet will make a room feel smaller. Most people select neutral colors, to avoid committing too far to a particular décor, in the event they want to add a piece of furniture or change the room style at a future point. Important warranty considerations include stain protection, color-fastness, and wear. You’ll find warranty information on each carpet sample in our store, on the back of each sample.

Carpeting Costs

“Cost to own” is the smartest way to think about carpeting. This includes:

1. Furniture removal/replacement
2. Removal/disposal of old floor covering
3. Sub-floor prep costs
4. Product delivery
5. Product installation (calculated by cost per square foot) and installation materials
6. Product cost-to-purchase
7. Annual cleaning and maintenance

Contact Us

We can help you understand how all of this contributes to cost when you come into the store and talk to our flooring experts.