Expert Answers to Common Carpet Buying Questions
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29. Q. What the difference in 6lb vs. 8lb Padding?
I wanted to know, is there really a difference in 6lb padding vs. 8lb
padding? I am
getting a home built and I choose the 8lb padding. But will I be able to tell
when
walking on it. Or it 6lb thick enough for a new home?
Alan's Response:
This (Lb.) rating system defines the density of carpet padding. 8-pound padding is stiffer to walk on than 6 pound, which is a bit spongier underfoot. 6-pound padding is plenty dense for use with most residential carpet and falls within carpet warranty guidelines. Most people prefer the 6-pound. In your case, it would save you some money to use the 6-pound pad. Either pad will serve you well and allow your carpet to wear properly. Some carpets require 8-pound density padding to keep the warranty in force. Always check the carpet manufacturers warranty requirements. Don't assume that the carpet retailer will automatically make the correct padding choice for you.
30. Q. Buying a home with Berber Carpets, is this good or bad?
Hello, I need some information regarding what questions I should ask the seller of a house I am looking at buying. All the carpet is Berber. What should I ask them about it?
Alan's Response:
Having Berber carpet can be a big disadvantage for the seller and an
advantage for the buyer. Let me explain:
It's what you need to know about Berber that is important here. If
you buy this house you have two options. Either keep the Berber or replace
the Berber. Why would you want to replace the Berber you ask? If you have
kids or pets you might want to replace it, or at least tell the sellers that
you will have to have it replaced soon. Why? Berber carpets snag easily.
Kids and pets will snag the carpet and can ruin it in a hurry. It doesn't
matter what brand it is, or what style it is, they all snag. If you have
kids or pets, you will end up wanting to replace the Berber before too long.
Perhaps this is a good negotiating point.
On the other hand, if you don't have kids or pets, and never plan to, then
you might like having a Berber carpet. Here are some facts about Berber that
no one else will tell you.
Most Berbers are made of olefin; some are made of Nylon (better). Some have
large loops some have smaller loops (better). Some have no pattern and some
have a repeating pattern (better). So ideally, to determine the quality
level of this Berber, a good grade of Berber will be made mostly of nylon,
have smaller loops and a repeating pattern. That means if this Berber has
large loops (they tend to fall over, mat down and look bad), made of olefin
(a strong fiber but not very resilient), and no noticeable pattern, then it
is probably a relatively inexpensive carpet.
If the wrong padding was used, the carpet may stretch out prematurely and
need to be restretched at some point. It is expensive to have this type of
carpet restretched.
31. Q. Best carpet for a young family with two small children?
I am a new homebuyer. I would like carpet throughout a majority of my
home (including the stairs). My family (which includes a 2.5 year old and a
newborn) walks around barefoot all day everyday. So we would like our carpet to
be as soft as possible, but also very stain-resistant as well. Can you please
help me figure out the best carpet and carpet pad for my situation? I would like
the carpet to last 10-15years and I am willing to spend up to $30/yd. please
help!
Alan's Response:
You do need help. Practically everybody does, because the retail carpet business is full of scams. If you are not wise to all their tricks you could lose hundreds. As far as selecting a carpet, there is only one type of carpet that will survive your growing family’s needs. Nylon! You must buy a Nylon carpet if you want it to last. But that's only the first step in a four part effort to be sure you get the whole job done right, including carpet selection, correct padding, professional installation and a good price.
32. Q. Best carpet for home with unchanging high traffic lanes?
I’m so glad I ran across your website! We're getting ready to invest in
carpeting our entire house (about 2,000 sq. feet). My brother's builder (consistent high end Parade home winner) referred us to his supplier and
buyer. He gave us a quote for $ 17.00 per yard for carpet, pad, and installation for Mohawk's Horizon carpet. It's kind of like the frieze' (I
call it a twist-short shag). I love it, but I do have kids and we show Dobermans. I don't have a housebreaking problem with the dogs and they are
kept in our indoor kennel room 60% of the time, so they don't create excessive wear.
My problem is that we have high traffic patterns. Our house is a typical ranch home that's about 20 years old (original carpet). You almost walk the
same exact pattern every where you go. Is this a good traffic carpet and do you think it's a good price. I can't seem to find a durability rating for
it anywhere. Trying to find it at Home Depot or Lowe's for a comparison is very difficult as they all have different names and colors.
Any help is appreciated. I've never had to purchase carpet and it's so confusing! Thank you for being so helpful to everyone. I was relieved when
I found you!
P.S. Half of my sq. footage is basement. Would this be a good carpet for a finished very dry basement? Would you suggest a pad over concrete for the basement? I have Berber now and I hate it! I want something more softer and elegant as we use it for our family room, den and office (dog kennel is there too, but I will keep the Berber in that room).
Alan's Response:
Wait! Don't buy anything yet! There is so much you need to know.
The frieze you mentioned would be all right for you if it were a nylon, NOT
a polyester. I suspect the carpet you have selected is a
polyester, but I am only guessing from the price you mentioned. Inherently,
a good quality frieze will tolerate a lot of abuse, but only when it is made
from Nylon. A polyester (P.E.T.) carpet will mat down in a hurry,
especially in traffic pattern areas.
Good padding ($3-4) and installation ($4-5) will cost about $7 to $9 per yard combined
so this frieze carpet you mentioned is only $10 per yard carpet. You can't
buy a good quality Nylon frieze carpet for $10 per yard. At least not one
that will last very long. Whatever you do not buy a polyester carpet! But I
believe I can help you.
My advice: Order my E-Book. Armed with this insider information you
will keep from becoming a victim of all the carpet scams and you will be
sure to end up with a carpet that will suit your needs. Buying carpet is so
complex anymore, proper selection, correct padding, quality installation,
accurate measuring, not to mention getting a good price is the four step
process that all must be done right in order for you to be successful.
Otherwise, you will end up not satisfied with the outcome and you will have
lost hundreds or worse. In addition to all the useful information you'll get
in my book, I am also here to answer all your carpet questions from start to
finish. Just e-mail me.
33. Q. Would Berber carpet work well in a Day Care?
I run a Day care in my lower level. So the carpet gets a lot of traffic.
Was thinking of a Berber but was told it would snag if the children would run
toys across it. What would you suggest? We also use it for our own family so
would like something that looks nice (not commercial).
Alan's Response:
Berber for you is a no-no! I know you say you don't want commercial
carpet but your options are quite limited if you expect your carpet to last.
I suggest you consider a short nap, cut pile, commercial carpet installed
over hair pad. This type of carpet really looks nice! It will clean easily,
last forever, tolerate a lot of abuse and it is reasonable priced. For the
best price, stick with a basic style, no pattern, single color, and be sure
it is made of NYLON. Get your hands on a copy of my book and you'll be sure
to get the job done right from start to finish!
34. Q. Best carpet and pad for a dry concrete Basement?
We just finished off our large basement and ready for the carpet. The basement is very dry and has never had any water. It will be heavily used for bedroom, game room, family room, home theater, pool room, and a weight room. I know from researching that nylon is the best way to go but not sure if I should go with textured plush or a commercial grade of carpet. I don't really want to use any glued down carpet and definitely not Berber. To have less seams we have to look at 15 ft goods. Also need to know what would be the best pad and weight of carpet to use. I am going to bookstore to try and find your book because I am hesitant to order on the computer. Your web site has been most helpful and I am sure the book would be well worth it.
Alan's Response:
The padding requirements for textured plush are different from for a commercial carpet. I have a commercial carpet in my office/family room and it is great. I know I will get my monies worth from it, as it will last for 15 to 20 years. Textured plush that will last this long would cost about twice as much. You decide how long you want it to last and use that as your guide. Speaking of guide, you really need my book. I have a downloadable E-Book that will make your carpet buying decisions much wiser and will save you time and money too.
35. Q. How Berber Carpet should be installed on stairs to avoid "smile"?
I love your website! If you could give us some general comments on our proposed purchase we would be most grateful. We are looking at buying 192 yards of Mystic Trace by Shaw. It is a DuPont Xtra life Tactesse, BCF Nylon, short looped Berber carpet. Face weight 46.8oz. Tufted pile height .437 inches. . Density is 4434. Total weight is 82oz. We are buying the carpet from a local family store in Houston. We are buying it for $28.40 installed with a 3/8 8lb density and rebond pad. We are having this carpet installed over stairs. We are a little worried about the "smile" - a cracked appearance where the carpet bends. Will this be an issue? Can a good installer avoid this? Is this a good mid-grade carpet? We do have a kid and plan to have more but really love Berber.
Alan's Response:
I'm afraid that your love of Berber will soon into a disheartened
relationship. Not only do I see the damage caused by children and pets on a
frequent basis but I also get plenty of e-mails from folks with kids or pets
who purchased a Berber carpet only to discover un-repairable snags and runs
showing up all over the place. If you were older and all your kids were grown
I would say great choice! But you are just going into the family zone where
everything you hold dear will soon be ruined, stained, snagged, broken, lost,
mistreated or mutilated. I know because I have had 6 children and 4 are still
at home.
If you decide to buy Berber anyway, there is a right way and a wrong way to
put Berber on stairs. It all boils down to laying it in the right direction. A good installer will know how to deal with the
"smile" you mentioned. The padding is right and the price is
reasonable.
(Answers listed are the opinion of the author)
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