Wall-to-Wall Carpet

With proper knowledge, you can find a durable, comfortable and affordable carpet.

More from Smart Design
Filed under: Carpet, Flooring

According to David Sulkin, there are several factors to consider when searching for the perfect wall-to-wall carpet. He explains the differences between certain styles and fibers so you'll be sure to choose the right one.

Woven wool needlepoint carpets made on 100-year-old looms are a beautiful option. Depending on the quality and what part of the country it's made in, they cost anywhere from $90 to $200 a square yard for the material itself.

Carpeting comes in four main textures or styles: berber, cut pile, frieze and shag.

Berber or loop construction carpet has a lot of different texture and is good for family rooms, great rooms and basements.

A cut pile carpet is available in a large range of colors and is typically used in bedrooms and wears very well on steps.

Frieze is a thicker-yarned Californian berber. It's more of a cut pile and provides a casual feeling.

Shag is also a thicker-yarned system typically done in nylon and wool to give a very rich and contemporary feel.

Most carpeting is made from one of three fibers including olefin, nylon and wool and the material you choose will greatly affect the price. Wool is very soft with great stain resistance and it's the most expensive type of fiber on the market. Nylon is a more affordable option (about $20 to $50 a square yard) and has some other advantages including enormous color ranges because it dyes well. The most affordable rugs are olefin (polypropylene), which is a man-made fiber. It's typically done in berbers and/or commercial carpets and is very resistant to moisture so it works well in basements. Manufacturers put a lot of fleck and color in the product to hide stains and soil. Olefin typically costs one third the price of wool.

Experts say to steam clean carpet every 12 to 18 months even if it doesn't seem to need it. Doing this before it gets too soiled will extend the life of your rug.