Thinking about swapping out your old flooring for something new? Or perhaps you’re picking out flooring for a brand-new home? Then you’ll definitely want to familiarize yourself with the advantages and drawbacks of various flooring materials to select the one that best meets your needs and interior design vision.
If you’re considering investing in carpet, there are several things you should know about this flooring material before you make a decision. Read on to learn about the various types of carpet you can get, the pros and cons of carpeted floors, and the way to determine whether carpet is indeed the best type of flooring for your home.
What Types of Carpet Are There?
When it comes to picking out carpet for your home, the first thing you should know is that there are several different options. Some types of carpet are better suited to households with children and pets, while others fare better in homes that don’t see quite so much traffic.
At Hiltons Flooring, we carry several types of carpet to suit the needs of a wide variety of homeowners. These include:
- Berber/loop carpet is suitable for high-traffic areas but may not be best for homes with pets since animals’ nails may get caught in the loops.
- Cable carpet is very soft and thick but tends to deteriorate in high-traffic areas. This carpet is probably best suited to rooms that don’t see frequent use.
- Saxony carpet is very soft, almost like velvet. It’s dense and elegant but prone to deterioration in high-traffic areas. This type of carpet readily shows footprints and vacuum lines.
- Patterned/cut & loop carpet is durable and conceals stains well, which makes it a suitable option for high-traffic areas and homes with kids or pets.
- Twist/Frieze carpet is very durable and hides stains and foot marks quite well. It’s suitable for homes with children and pets, commercial buildings, and all high-traffic areas.
- Textured carpet is casual and soft and hides marks and footprints well. It’s well suited to all households and high-traffic areas.
Pros and Cons of Having Carpet in Your Home
Although hard flooring has somewhat outshined carpet in popularity in recent years, carpeted floors still have a lot to offer homeowners who desire comfortable, inviting flooring. But as with anything, carpet does have its cons too. Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks.
Benefits of Carpeted Floors
Aside from carpet’s obvious advantage in the comfort department, carpeted floors offer homeowners several advantages, including:
- Noise control/sound absorption
- Affordability
- Concealment of dirt and stains
- Heat retention
Drawbacks of Carpet Flooring
Why might carpet be a less-than-optimal choice for your home? Disadvantages of choosing carpet for your floors include:
- Carpet may show more wear and tear than hard flooring like vinyl, laminate, or tile.
- Carpet can suffer damage caused by moisture.
- Lighter-colored carpets can show stains.
- Carpet fibers tend to trap allergens and dust.
- Carpet requires more maintenance than hard flooring.
How to Determine Whether Carpet Is the Best Type of Flooring for Your Home
Now that you have at least a basic understanding of the types of carpet available to you and the benefits and drawbacks of installing carpet in your home, it’s time to do a little analysis. Here’s what you’ll need to consider to determine if carpet is right for you:
- Do you have children or pets? Do you want soft flooring for your kids to play on? If so, carpet is a solid choice.
- How do you feel about footprints on your flooring? If you’re not a fan, you can choose a low-pile carpet that won’t show marks. Hard flooring could be a suitable option too.
- How do you feel about long-term flooring maintenance? Are you okay with shampooing your carpets annually or hiring someone to do it for you?
- Do you prefer super low-maintenance flooring? If so, carpet may not be your best choice. Opt for something like tile, laminate, or vinyl instead.
- Does anyone in your household have allergies to pollen, dust, or dander? If so, carpet can trap those allergens, so you’ll need to be very diligent about vacuuming if you do choose carpet. Hard flooring may be a better option for those whose allergies are severe.
Choose Hiltons Flooring for Expert Carpet Installation in Dallas and Fort Worth
Curious about your carpet options? Stop by Hiltons Flooring in Arlington to check out our extensive inventory of high-quality carpet, hardwood, laminate, tile, stone, and vinyl flooring. Our knowledgeable team can help you select the best type of flooring for your needs, budget, and design goals, and our expert installers are some of the best in the business. To learn more about what we have to offer, feel free to give us a call today at [phone] or contact us online with any questions, and we’ll reach out with additional information.
