Buying new carpet can seem overwhelming with all the options for fiber, texture, padding, and more. It's easy to make mistakes when selecting carpets if you don't know what to look for. Avoid these 7 common carpet buying mistakes as you shop for your home.
1. Not Measuring the Room Properly
One of the most common mistakes is not accurately measuring the room you need carpet for. When determining how much carpet you need, be sure to measure the room’s length and width carefully. Don’t estimate or guess. Round up when calculating the square footage to give yourself a bit of extra carpet for pattern matching or repairs down the road.
2. Forgetting About Transitions
It’s easy to focus solely on carpet for the open floor space and forget about measuring and purchasing transitions. Pay attention to areas where the new carpet will meet other flooring like tile. Calculate linear footage for transitions and select appropriate transition strips for each area.
3. Choosing the Wrong Padding
The padding underneath your carpet is almost as important as the carpet itself when it comes to performance, comfort, and longevity. Don't try to save money here. Choose a quality pad specifically designed and rated for the type of carpet fiber you select. A pad that's too thin or soft can lead to premature wear.
4. Not Thinking About Traffic Patterns
Consider the room's foot traffic patterns when selecting carpet construction, fiber, texture, and more. For high traffic hallways or stain-prone dining rooms, a very dense loop pile berber may be the best option, while plush saxony works well for low traffic formal living rooms.
5. Forgetting About Indoor Allergens
If you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma, shop carpets specifically designed to help reduce indoor allergens. Look for carpets made with fibers that have built-in allergen treatments or antimicrobial protection to assist with keeping pollen, pet dander, mold, and dust mite allergens at bay.
6. Choosing Based on Color Alone
It's tempting to choose carpet color first and foremost. But color should come second to more practical considerations like fiber type, construction, and durability. Start by selecting a fiber and construction ideal for the room's needs. Then view available color palette options that meet your other criteria.
7. Not Thinking About Maintenance
Before making a final carpet selection, consider regular maintenance requirements. Some luxury soft carpets show every footprint while textured loops hide soil better. Also look at warranties - consider longer 20-25 year stain protection warranties for high traffic areas or homes with kids or pets. Doing so ensures your new carpet looks great for years to come.
Avoiding these common carpet buying mistakes takes some research and planning. But taking the time upfront helps ensure you select the perfect, high-performing carpet for each room in your home. Take measurements, read warranties, ask questions about fibers and construction, and choose the right padding. Doing so will help your new carpet look fantastic for decades.
Anyone looking to buy new carpets can do it from us at Pay As You Go Carpets. Our pay weekly carpets come with an affordable pricing scheme of just £10 per week. With no down payment, this is the most convenient option available for anyone to buy new carpets.