Purchasing the right carpet for your space can be difficult. You need a carpet that is durable, comfortable underfoot, and attractive. When it comes to choosing carpet for the high traffic areas in your home – stairs, living rooms, and hallways – you should look out for the following:
Material
Because they come in a wide variety of materials, carpets can be hard to choose. Your material choice affects the appearance and durability of your carpet. If you want durability without sacrificing any comfort, here are the best options:
- Polyester – this is one of the softest synthetic materials on the market. Polyester is also stain resistant and comfy. Its thin fibers can however trap dirt thus making it harder to clean and reducing its lifespan.
- Triexta – derived from corn sugar, it is costlier than these other options. However, it lives up to the hype because it checks all boxes from comfort to durability.
- Nylon – although it is considered the most durable, this material does not usually come treated for stain resistance. Therefore, if you live in an environment with pets and children, you should treat yours for stain resistance every once in a while.
- Olefin – this material is not as durable as nylon but is highly resistant to fading and staining. Moreover, it is an affordable choice when compared to others.
Durability
There has to be a trade-off between comfort and longevity. While the long, luxurious fibers that cut-pile carpets have are soft, they also tend to wear out faster because they trap dirt. This means that they are not the best option for areas with high traffic. On the other hand, shorter cut-pile textures are not that soft but are durable, which means that they can stand up to heavy usage.
Although carpet selection depends on personal preferences, Berber carpets are the best choice for high traffic areas. This carpet has a closed loop style that makes it more likely to withstand heavy traffic. Instead of arranging the loops in normal rows, Berber carpets have loops that layer and twist over each other. This makes the carpet soft, dense, stain resistant, as well as durable.
When shopping for carpets that can withstand high traffic, you should look for a good warranty. If the manufacturer is ready to vouch for their carpet, then it is definitely a good choice for your home.
Ease of Cleaning
Not all carpeting materials are easy to clean. The density of the fibers determines whether it will trap dirt. Some materials only require a quick vacuuming to be clean but others need spot treatment. If you do not want to spend all your time cleaning the carpet, find one that has thick fibers, which do not trap dirt.
Final Thoughts
Although carpets for high-traffic areas are not hard to find, selecting the right one for your home takes time. However, the above tips should help you to choose the right one for your needs and budget. Consider the material, ease of cleaning, and durability before you part with your money.