Carpet Purchasing Guidelines

Measure the rooms in which you plan to install carpet. If your room is oddly shaped, break it into squares or rectangles for measuring. Measure the length and width of each portion in feet, and multiply the two figures to calculate the area. Add the figures and divide by 9 to get the number of square yards of carpet you need.

Review the carpet fibers to determine which would be best for your home and budget. For example, acrylic carpet cleans easily but is not very strong. Nylon is strong and resists matting but tends to fade and wear out in sunlight. Olefin is colorfast and strong but soaks up oil and grease. Polyester feels luxurious but breaks down when exposed to long periods of sunlight.

Look at the construction quality of the carpet. Rub your fingers through the carpet sample to gauge the feel of the carpet. Bend the carpet in half to check the density of the carpet and the carpet sewing method. Loose pile attaches one time to the carpet backing, while looped carpet attaches twice for each carpet thread.

Inquire about the carpet pad types available for installation. Carpets can wear faster if a cheap or thin carpet pad is beneath the carpet. You can ask to review the pad types and what materials are in the pad.

Ask how the carpet vendor will charge for installation. The charge might be a flat fee or added to the per-square-yard cost of the carpet. The cost of installation is a good area in which to negotiate for a better deal.