Carpet and Hardwood Flooring

[mrsboz]

I just started shopping for hardware flooring and rugs and don't know how to comparison shop. What do I look for when I rug shop? They all look good because they are new, but I don't know how to compare them. What do I look for? They are all different and there is no way to tell one store from another which is a better quality carpet. What do I look for to tell the quality difference to see if I am getting a good deal or not? Also, I know I don't want laminate flooring but that is about all I know. There is the flooring that is already sanded and polyurethaned and then there is the one that they come in a build it by scratch and poly it right at your house. Who do I go to for that and is there a big price or quality difference? As you can see I am totally at a loss. Thank you for your help.

 

[mossyoak725]

The biggest thing to know about carpet is the twist rate. The tighter the twist the longer it last. There are several different fibers now. Alot of the newer fibers--shaw clear touch or mohawk smart strand- have great stain warranties. Some even include pet stains. No matter what you choose get a upgrade pad..not ness stainmaster but one with a coating to keep any spills from soaking thru. This helps with stains coming back no matter how much you clean.Some pads will extend the life of your warranty also. Prefinished hardwood or engineered floors are usually a more affordable option in my area at least. Very durable and low maintnance.

PS- I love my laminate floors. They have came along way from what they use to look like. Bevel edge and handscraping. Really nice now.

 

[Cindy B]

We just ripped out our carpet and put in wood. It looks beautiful. We got our wood at Lumber Liquidators and paid for them to put it in. We probably could have installed it ourselves, but he had other projects at the same time.

We had old original wood under the carpets, but they could not be salvaged it was too thin to refinish.

I would never ever buy carpet again. The hardwood is just so much easier to keep clean and there is less mess. If you are ever considering selling, carpet is a huge turnoff.

We are looking at houses and I rule out ones that have carpet.

 

[mrsboz]

I am definitely not going to sell. I am hoping to die in this house. I love it.

I am going to get hardwood in the front two rooms and carpet going up the stairs and in my room and family room. They have all had it and definitely need an upgrade. I was going to get the 8 lb pad. that is the only thing that I do know about.

any other sugggestions are more than welcome. thank you for your suggestions so far.