Carpet is one of the most overlooked accessories in a house, but it shouldn’t be.
A good quality carpet from a prosource carpet company can keep dirt and other allergens out of the air, and help keep the family from getting sick.
There are several things that homeowners should look for when buying carpet. These qualities will ensure that the product is of a good quality, and it will last for a long time with little maintenance.
There are no strictly aesthetic choices when choosing the correct carpet for a home. Fiber density, material composition, and twist ratio are the most reliable determinations of a high quality carpet.
A high-quality carpet can be made in any style but will have a thick density of fibers per inch than a cheaper variety. This is one aspect of the “pile,” the other being the length of the fiber from the base to top. This length determines how soft and bouncy the carpet is under foot. A high density, tall pile is excellent for trapping dirt and feels luxurious to bare feet.
Another major consideration is the type of material from which the carpet is made. Wool is the highest quality material and should be chosen if available. Synthetic materials like polypropylene, nylon, or polyester are also available but are not as soft as wool.
The last major facet to look at when choosing a carpet is the twist ratio. This is the number of twists per inch in the carpet fibers. If a carpet has five or more twists per inch, it is considered a high quality carpet. The durability of a carpet is directly related to the twist ratio. The higher it is, the more durable the carpet will be.
Do not fall for the “It’s heat set, so it is high quality,” line from the sales rep. Almost every carpet on the market is heat set, a process that helps individual fibers keep their shapes, but this does not mean that just because a carpet is heat set that it is a quality carpet. On the other hand, if the carpet is not heat set, it is a good bet that the carpet is not going to withstand even moderatetraffic.
