With a new year fast approaching, you may be thinking about changes you would like to make in your home. If it’s time for a new lounge carpet, the choices available can be overwhelming. There are many factors to consider from cost, appearance and durability to materials and pile. Here is our guide to finding the right carpet for you and your family.
Where do I start?
The first things to consider are what the carpet will need to stand up to. If you have a busy family lifestyle, young children and/or pets then you need a durable carpet that can keep its appearance without too much maintenance. A carpet that can repel liquid is always good if there are likely to be spills on a regular basis.
On the other hand, if there is not likely to be a great amount of footfall in your lounge, then you may want luxury over practicality. A super soft, indulgent carpet always enhances the living room, where you can make the most of it.
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Which material is best?
You have a choice of three materials with carpet; man-made (or synthetic), wool and wool mix.
Synthetic carpets are the most popular on the market, as they are highly durable and often very budget-friendly. The most popular type of synthetic carpet is nylon, as it robust, resistant to stains and fading and also keeps its appearance and colour well. Ideal for a family environment, nylon is also crush resistant so it keeps its original look for much longer. It is also a great choice for allergy sufferers, as it repels allergens.
Second in popularity is polypropylene, which is also stain resistant and durable. It does not come in as many colours, but it is moisture and mildew resistant which is useful if you are not a ‘shoes off’ household. This is the most budget-friendly choice and keeps its colour very well. Another option is polyester, which is not as durable as nylon but has stain and fade resistant qualities. It is very soft underfoot and hypoallergenic.
These are all easy to clean carpets, which can be scrubbed if necessary and do not require any special cleaning products. Nylon is the most popular choice for the lounge in a family home, as it can withstand heavy footfall and the inevitable spills and accidents. Where cost is the main concern, polypropylene is often the best choice for a robust carpet.
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If a beautiful appearance with a luxurious feel underfoot is what you are looking for, you are unlikely to find anything better than a wool carpet. Wool has many natural qualities like its durability and natural elasticity, which enables it to spring back into place. It is also a good material for safety as it has a natural flame resistance. It is non-allergenic and actually traps air-borne dust particles, so it will improve the air quality in your lounge.
Another great advantage of wool is its energy efficiency, it traps heat so will actually make the room warmer and in turn reduce heating bills. In a time where we are all concerned about the rising cost of energy bills, this is an ideal material. Wool is also eco-friendly as it is a sustainable material.
A wool mix carpet, most often 80% wool and 20% synthetic, gives you all the wonderful natural qualities of wool with added durability. This is often the best option when you want a more luxurious carpet that can stand up to family life, at a lower cost than pure wool.
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What else do I need to consider?
It’s not just the material of the carpet that you need to choose, but also the pile and colour. Carpet pile refers to how the loops of fibre are treated. These are attached to the back of the carpet and either left as they are (loop pile) or cut at an angle and/or length (cut pile). The most robust choice is loop pile; the tighter these loops are the, more they resist being crushed underfoot. It will also hides any dirt and stains well too. Alternatively, cut pile gives a much softer carpet and is best for pets as their claws do not snag on the
loops.
There are also carpet ratings to consider. UK manufacturers gives their carpets ratings according to their durability, so you know which can stand up to more foot traffic, ie an extra heavy domestic usage rating. Also bear in mind the Tog rating which gives you the thermal insulation, meaning how warm the carpet will be.
You will also need underlay, which supports the carpet from below helping it retain its appearance. It give you a softer underfoot and provides an extra layer of insulation. Some carpets now come pre-treated with Scotchgard or Teflon as well, which prevents spills from soaking into the carpet and staining.
When choosing the colour of your carpet, you need to bear in mind which ones will help hide any stains and what will complement your existing decor. Neutral carpets are always popular as they fit in so easily with the colours of your walls, soft furnishings and furniture.
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Whatever look you want to achieve in your home, we can help with all your flooring and carpet needs. Contact us here to book a free estimate with our friendly and professional Herts Carpets team today!
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