6 Carpet Tips to not get Tricked!
You’ve decided to buy new carpet, but you want to shop smart.
You already have a good idea on different carpet styles,
but what else should you know?
Royal Plus Flooring has compiled some buying carpet tips to give you the upper hand on what will soon be under your feet!
1. Carpet Seams
Unless your room is narrower than 15 feet, you’re going to have seams. Most carpet comes in widths of 12 feet and 15 feet — and on occasion, 13 feet. The degree of visibility of your seams depends on the texture and color you choose, as well as the lighting and furniture placement in your room.
2. Bending
When you carpet your stairs, its backing may show on the bends. If it’s a looped carpet, it can snag — especially at the seams or transitions.
3. Nap (Pile Shading)
A carpet’s nap runs in a single direction, making pile reversal (or the shading you see from a vacuum trail) completely normal for most cut pile styles. If you’re not a fan of this, window treatments and furniture placement can minimize the effect.
4. Quality
Let’s face it--you get what you pay for. If you want your carpet to have a great pile density and
tighter twist construction (which leads to improved durability), then you’re going to want to go with a higher quality (and more expensive) product. Remember: new carpet adds value to any home, so it’s an investment worth making!
5. Color
Carpet covers a large part of any room, so it’s vital that you consider some basic rules when selecting its color. First off, know that once your carpet is installed, it’s going to look lighter in color than the sample you saw in the store.
Next, it is important to recognize that color can affect the perceived size of a room.
This trick creates the illusion of lighter carpet making a room look larger and darker colors making a room look smaller (and more intimate.)
If you like to redecorate often or plan to move soon, go neutral. It’s much easier to envision furniture in a room that is decorated with neutral colors because it creates a flexible color palette.
6. Cost
“Cost per square foot” is just one component of the overall price tag for new carpet.
Ask your retailer to calculate the total cost of your floor covering project.
Here’s what he or she may include beyond the cost of the carpet, itself:
Furniture Moving Charge Some retailers or installers may charge to remove (and then replace) furniture in the room to be carpeted.
Demolition/disposal of old floor covering Unless your home is brand new, there’s probably an old floor covering that is going to need to be removed and properly disposed of.
Sub-floor preparation Depending on its condition (after removal of the old floor covering), your subfloor may need to be prepped for carpet installation.
Product delivery Delivering your carpet and padding may not be included in the “cost per square foot” price.
Installation There will most likely be a “cost per square foot” or “square yard” to install your new carpet and padding.
Materials required to complete the installation Additional materials, like adhesives, moisture barriers, stairnosings and baseboards may be required to properly install your carpet.
Anything Else?
In addition to your total project cost, annual cleanings are also recommended to maintain the beauty and life of your new carpet.
When you come in to visit us at our showroom in Ocean City, MD, ask one of our Flooring Professionals or consult the manufacturer’s warranty and care guide for directions on cleaning and maintenance.
