Carpet is not
made the same as it was 40-50 years ago. Back then, they made most carpets
the same way, heavy duty. There were basically three grades of carpet to
choose from in the 60's. Good, better and best. The lowest grade carpet was
designed to last 10-20 years or more before it would begin to wear out.
Medium and high grades could last a lifetime.
Even today we still find these invincible
nylon carpets in homes that were originally installed in the 1960's and 1970's.
They were made of heavy gauge nylon and they wore like iron. All homeowners had to
do was give them a good cleaning once in a while and their carpet would look like new,
year after year.
Today, like
everything else, carpets are not made as durable as they once were. Today
they cut corners wherever they can and offer a different grade for every situation.
Carpet manufacturers make at least 12 basic grades of carpet to choose
from. The trick is knowing which grade of carpet to buy that will meet your
expectations. Here is a basic explanation of carpet grades and how
they might fit into your needs and budget
Carpet Grades
There are at
least 3 grades of low-end carpets designed for apartments, rental
property and is typically called "builders Grade" carpet. These
low-cost carpets are only designed to last 3 to 5 years at best.
The face weights are generally 22 ounces to 30 ounces. Prices range from
$8 per square yard to $15 per square yard for the carpet only. If you
are a landlord with apartments or rental property, visit my Landlord
Floors Website designed to help you save money on carpet and flooring
replacement costs.
There are at
least 6 medium carpet grades for those who want a carpet to last
for 6 to 15 years. Face-weights range from 30 ounces to 40 ounces.
Prices range $18 to $30 per yard for the carpet only. The pile height,
tuft twist and pile density are three factors that determine how long
the carpet will last and prices increase accordingly. What
makes one carpet better than another?
There are at
least 3 high-end grades for those who want their carpet to last
15-20
years or more and are willing to pay dearly for it.
With
high end carpet grades you can expect:
-
The best quality fiber, usually nylon 6.6 or wool.
These are made very well, easier to clean, more
resilient, resist fading, better color choices, more durable, more
styles to choose from, etc.
-
You always
get a much better backing system. The backing will have a much tighter
weave, is much heavier construction, better materials and is much more
durable. This also helps prevent wrinkling and delaminating.
-
The pile
density will be higher, often more than 3000. Denser carpets can
tolerate higher traffic applications and ease of cleaning.
-
The
tuft-twist is higher (in the 6 to 9 range). Higher tuft-twists make
carpets retain their like-new appearance longer.
-
Costs will
be $45 to 85 per square yard for carpet only. Pad and install is extra.
Expect to pay more for installation as these high quality carpets are
usually heavier and more difficult to install.
I've just
mentioned 12 different grades of carpet to make it easy to understand. But
in reality, there are dozens of varying grades of carpet to choose from.
Higher price does not always mean it is a better carpet. Thicker carpets are
not always worth more. The type of fiber you choose is very critical. Nylon
is always a better choice than Polyester if you want your carpet to
last.
Choosing the
wrong grade is the biggest mistake you can make. Why? Because the carpet you
buy must meet your needs and goals or you will not get the results that you
desire. Why spend thousands on a carpet that won't last? How
Much Does Carpet Cost?
Why spend
thousands on a carpet that wears out prematurely? On the other side of the
coin, why spend more than you need to? If you want a carpet to last for only
5 years you shouldn't spend more than is necessary to achieve that. The
trick is knowing how to determine which carpet can do the job for you at the
right price. Few carpet salespeople are going to know this information and
even if they do, they may not share it with you. They just want to make a
profitable sale and will applaud any choice you make whether it is a good
choice or not.
Take
my free Carpet
Foot Traffic Test to see what grade of carpet will best meet your needs
and goals.
Continued...
Alan's
Preferred Carpet Dealer Directory
It's
hard to find a reputable carpet dealer these days! That's why I have formed a special list
of hand-picked carpet retailers who are locally owned, give free estimates,
offer fair prices, have knowledgeable staff, provide honest measuring and hire
qualified installers. See
who I recommend near you!
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