Fiber comparison
- Nylon: most durable synthetic — stairs, hallways, rentals
- Polyester: soft, colorfast, budget-friendly — moderate traffic
- Triexta (SmartStrand): stain resistance, good for kids and pets
- Wool: premium, natural — professional clean only
Pile style
- Cut pile (Saxony, textured): classic soft carpet — shows vacuum marks
- Loop (Berber): durable, casual — snags on pets claws
- Pattern cut-loop: hides wear — good living rooms
Room tips
Stairs: low profile, dense pad, professional stretch install. Bedrooms: softer pile OK. Basement: synthetic only, moisture pad if needed — avoid carpet if water history.
Traffic rating by room
Measure in feet, order in square yards — the carpet calculator handles conversion and waste. See pad guide before checkout.
- Hallways / stairs: dense nylon, lower pile, 8 lb pad
- Living room: textured cut pile or pattern — hides footprints
- Bedrooms: plush OK — moderate traffic
- Home office: chair mat on rollers — carpet crushes without one
- Rentals: solution-dyed nylon — stain and fade resistant