When you install new flooring in your home, you know it won’t last forever, but considering the expense, you certainly want to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Hard flooring generally lasts much longer than plush carpeting, but it’s not very comfortable or warm, and it tends to come at a significantly greater expense, which is why many homeowners prefer carpeting, at least in certain areas.
The next question, then, is which type of carpeting is going to provide the greatest longevity. Of course, you want your flooring to be comfortable, cushioning your footfalls and providing a soft, warm place to sit or lounge to watch TV or play board games, for example. However, you also need it to hold up to the wear and tear of foot traffic, as well as the dust, dander, and staining that can occur, not to mention frequent cleaning.
Before you choose carpet for your home, you need to know which options are going to give you the most bang for your buck. Which types of carpeting are the most durable? Here’s what you should know.
Fibers
There are many different carpet fiber options to choose from, including natural fibers like wool and synthetic materials like polyester, olefin, acrylic, nylon, and more. When it comes to durability, there are only two real candidates for the winner: nylon and wool. Both are extremely strong and resilient, holding up well under foot traffic.
However, synthetic nylon fibers have several advantages over wool. For one thing, nylon is cheaper than wool. It is also hypoallergenic and resistant to mildew, and it holds up better under abuses like vacuuming and clawing pets. As for being stain resistant, properly treated nylon can be incredibly resistant to staining. The only drawback for some buyers is that they prefer natural and eco-friendly products. Regardless, nylon is clearly the most durable carpet fiber.
Construction
Carpet can either come with cut or looped fibers, and some are definitely more durable than others. In general, you can assume that looped pile like Berber is going to offer greater durability than cut carpets, but this could depend somewhat on care. If loops get snagged and they pull out and unravel, your carpeting could get ruined prematurely. With proper care, however, loops are more durable, and the density of Berber adds to longevity.
What if you don’t have the dough for Berber? If you prefer cut pile for some reason, you’ll find that frieze carpeting is likely your best option. Not only are the fibers dense, but they’re tightly twisted, both of which amount to added durability. The fibers also curl in different directions, which helps to hide footprints and other marks that dense, plush carpeting might show.
Maintenance
Choosing durable carpeting is just the first step. If you want to get the most out of your plush flooring you need to vacuum frequently and arrange for professional cleaning from a reputable source like Absolute Carpet Care. With proper care, you’ll keep your carpet looking and feeling new a lot longer.