carpet review/recommendations

[whatname]

We really need to replace our living room carpet. (I know many prefer hardwoods, but I like carpet.) So, what do people recommend? This is obviously a high traffic/spill area. I want something that will clean up well and resist stains, if possible. And, of course, wear well. So, I want it all! What do you recommend? Or not?
Thanks.

 

[disneyfan2kids]

Worst decision we ever made (thankfully it's getting pulled up soon.) Impossible to clean, holds stains/smells no matter what. Looks pretty (in the beginning) but goes down hill FAST.

 

[TNT21]

Worst decision we ever made (thankfully it's getting pulled up soon.) Impossible to clean, holds stains/smells no matter what. Looks pretty (in the beginning) but goes down hill FAST.

Ugh. I totally agree. Mine is three years old and looks terrible and worn already. Although I'm not very fond of the way it look, I think berber holds up very well. I had a light colred berber in my last house, and ten years in, it still looked great. Wish I hadn't wasted so much money on my "nice" new frieze carpet...

 

[whatname]

Thanks. I will avoid that.

 

[csharpwv]

My suggestion isn't about carpet... but where you should SHOP for carpet.

Do yourself a HUGE favor and go to a local family owned carpet/flooring store and ask them to give you Carpet 101. There is so much about carpet that makes it easy wearing, easy cleaning, and comfortable.

Invest time in shopping for carpet - you won't regret it.

GOOD carpet is such a high priced investment - you don't want to regret the purchase in a few years.

And by ALL means... PLEASE don't put thick pile carpet in stairs - it makes stairs twice as dangerous!

 

[vegasnative]

We own a carpet cleaning company. We just replaced carpet in our home last month. My husband knows a lot about carpet fibers and he says stay away from polyester. Typically polyester will be cheaper and the warranty is small. It is also not good in high traffic areas as after just a short time the fibers won't stand up anymore.

He highly suggests getting nylon. That is what we got. It was a bit more money, but the warranty is a lot longer and he says it is better quality.

As far as who you go with, you really want good installers. That is key. They should not use a knee kicker to install the carpet, they MUST use a power stretcher. We have bought carpet from Home Depot twice and have been very pleased with them. They locally contract out the install, but it's their name on the line, so they typically get the best, imo. Should you decide to go with someone smaller, I would def call and ask how they install.

 

[semo233]

I asked the same question recently and this is what was recommended to me:

http://www.mohawkflooring.com/flooring-products/carpet/smartstrand.aspx

 

[whatname]

Thanks for the replies!

I was thinking of going to a locally owned store but hadn't thought of asking for some carpet education. I have never actually purchased carpeting. What is here now was here when we bought.

I will remember the polyester/nylon issue and I will ask how they install. I never even thought about that.

And, I actually had seen the Mohawk site online. I'm leaning toward that but will go to the store and ask them about it.

Ahh, the Dis boards. Always helpful.

Thanks so much!

 

[tikkipoo]

We really need to replace our living room carpet. (I know many prefer hardwoods, but I like carpet.) So, what do people recommend? This is obviously a high traffic/spill area. I want something that will clean up well and resist stains, if possible. And, of course, wear well. So, I want it all! What do you recommend? Or not?
Thanks.

I'm so glad I saw these reviews. This is exactly what I was going to get because it is so pretty! Kinda sad, but better know this before rather than later.

 

[mrsboz]

thanks. subscribing.

 

[taylor3297]

I just had new carpet installed in my den yesterday. Since I have kids, pets and a husband, I went with the top of the line Mohawk. Lifetime warranty on stains (to keep this good you have to have the carpet steamed clean once a year and save receipts) and 20 year warranty on texture resistance. It is the one of the smartstrand carpets.

I went first to our local store and started looking. Then I ended up going with a local company but instead of having a store, he brings samples to your house. Since, he has so many samples, I had a long discussion over the phone with the owner so he could bring only the kind I would be interested in.

In the end, I got a high grade carpet, upgraded pad (due to pets) and saved over $300.

The guys he has that install the carpet for him has worked for him for 20 years.

 

[luvindisneyworld]

We own a carpet cleaning company. We just replaced carpet in our home last month. My husband knows a lot about carpet fibers and he says stay away from polyester. Typically polyester will be cheaper and the warranty is small. It is also not good in high traffic areas as after just a short time the fibers won't stand up anymore.

He highly suggests getting nylon. That is what we got. It was a bit more money, but the warranty is a lot longer and he says it is better quality.

As far as who you go with, you really want good installers. That is key. They should not use a knee kicker to install the carpet, they MUST use a power stretcher. We have bought carpet from Home Depot twice and have been very pleased with them. They locally contract out the install, but it's their name on the line, so they typically get the best, imo. Should you decide to go with someone smaller, I would def call and ask how they install.

I really have to disagree with the power stretcher. My DH installs and has for 20 years and if you call any store around here and ask who the best installer is they will tell you my DH. He never ever uses one of those stretchers he uses a mini stretcher that is a kicker... He never ever has been called back because the stretch was bad.

What I would suggest is going to a local store not Lowe's or Home Depot and talk to them and you want to ask for their best installer and ask for references of his work, don't worry about doing that.. also make sure you get a great pad that is the life of your carpet along with the installation. Also don't skimp on the carpet that you get, it can be very expensive but if you go cheap it will reflect the cost very soon...