Welcome to the Carpetguru's question and answer forum. I used to try and answer questions by email, but the volume of email has increased to the point to where I was answering many of the same questions. By using this forum, I hope to answer your questions as well as creating a sense of community. Here you can ask the guru any questions concerning carpet, carpet pad, vinyl flooring, laminate flooring, and hardwoods.
Also, if you have an installation question or problems I will discuss it with you here for all to see. To Reach the latest comment click on the comment link below, and then when the screen changes, click on the newest. If you are having trouble reading this blog you can leave a comment at www.facebook.com/carpetguru.CarpetClassics
Thank You,
Jim
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«Oldest ‹Older 2201 – 2400 of 2568 Newer› Newest»Hi Jim-
You are so great to answer questions. Between Mohawk Horizon Platinum Medallion and Mohawk Aladdin Long Grove which would you go with?
We can only find face weight stats for these two, not density or twist numbers so we are having trouble comparing.
Thanks Again!
Julia
Julia,
Due to possible private labeling, I am not familiar with the name of these carpets. Thus, I cannot comment on how these will perform
Good luck,
Jim
What do you think about carpet that combines wool and acrylic?
I imagine manufacturers are trying to get the best features of both materials.
Does it work that way?
Tina,
You normally do not see a combination of wool and acrylic except in commercial carpets. Any other construction other than level loop will not perform well!
We do install in Salem, however, we do not do any commercial work.
Good luck,
Jim
Thank you for taking the time and effort to answer questions. We're carpeting a large family room (concrete floor)and looking for a berber or cut loop. Do you have a favorite brand for such an area? Between a Karastan (Luxerell nylon fiber)and a Shaw Tuftex(continuous filament nylon), what might you choose? Thanks again.
We are carpeting an 85 foot long high traffic hallway, and two sets of stairs; Holleytex London classic and Shaw Camden Harbor II have been recommended from 2 different installers, which is the better product? and do you recommend binding the edge for stairs?
thanks so much,
Rachel Martin, Operations Manager, First Presbyterian Church, Sarasota, FL
Most berber/cut-loop carpets work well for wear, regardless of fiber (except olefin), or mill. However, all of these require some pattern matching, and therefore, look for those that are made 15 ft wide to keep seaming to a minimum.
Good luck,
Jim
Rachel,
I do not know the specs of the carpets you mentioned. However, for your commercial application, I suggest a 10th gauge, solution dyed nylon pile that has at least 26 ounces of pile fiber.
Made sure the installers follow CR-105 and seal the seams. Also, binding on the edge of the carpet that runs up the stairs is only necessary if the edge is exposed and not fit to the stair kick- plate.
Good Luck,
Jim
Help! We ordered nylon frieze carpet (manufactured by Shaw in Georgia) based on the store sample which was dense, soft, supple and rebound from footprints. After carpet was installed, noted carpet was thinner, rougher (had a starchy, crunchy feel when pressed with palm) and left footprints and vacuum tracks for two weeks until we made Cole's Carpet tear it out and take it back. Cole's admitted carpet defective (stated it an error was made in the processing) Went to a different company and same thing happened except we felt the carpet before installation and rejected it. What happened and how do we prevent it? What causes the carpet to feel starchy. Signed, living on pad.
If we are new to an area and don't know of a reputable dealer, how do we ensure that the "old switcheroo" doesn't occur? How do we ensure that the carpet we receive is the same quality as the sample? Also, do Los Angeles mills manufacture a better product than the Georgia mills? Thanks so much.
Cheetagirl,
Sorry to hear about your trouble with receiving the wrong carpet. However, you must realize that ALL plush carpet is going show footprints and vacuum marks. The darker the color, the more prominent the footprints.
Fiber softness is a function of the diameter of the individual fibers, not the fiber bundle (the twisted piece of yarn that makes up the pile). The thickness of a fiber is called denier. The smaller the thickness of the fiber the softer. Kind of like baby's hair.
If you were to purchase Sonora Dupont Triexta Smartstrand fiber from Mohawk Horizon division, you will have one of the softest carpets you can buy.
To make sure you get what you ordered, always ask to see a mill labeled sample of the carpet. Copy the name and style number from the sample, and make sure it appears on your sales receipt. Then, when the roll arrives at your home, look for the mill label showing the style and color name that you ordered. This is the only way to be possitive the dealer is providing the carpet you ordered.
Good Luck,
Jim
City of Industry carpet mills make the same range of carpet as the Georgia Mills. The looms are all made in Sweden or Germany, and the only thing different in the carpets between the two areas making carpet is the style and color selection. California Mills make more shags, and more earthtone carpets in general.
To make sure you don't have the old switcheroo happen, read the last paragraph above.
Good Luck,
Jim
Hi Carpetguru, I am looking to lay carpet and padding in a room rarely used, because it is sooo cold. The room is not on cement, and has no insulation underneath. Right now the floor is covered with vinal. Do you have any suggestions for a pad and carpet which could add insulating properties? Thank you, laura@saw.net
Laura,
The best choice would be a 60 ounce plush installed over a 120 ounce slab rubber pad.
Good luck,
Jim
What can you tell me about an 80% Strudon/20% PET berber carpet? Does Strudon have the same bad rep as Olefin meaning we should stick to 100% wool or nylon when purchasing a berber carpet?
Berbers are best left to nylon, Triexta, or wool. Olefin Berbers are for light traffic areas, or households without kids or pets. Sturdon is olefin!
Good luck,
Jim
How to find a good carpet retailer.
I am looking to have my whole house recarpeted and am now going around the stores checking prices, types of carpet etc..
How do I know if the retailer is telling me the truth ?? I have done numerous searches for reviews on the various stores and checked them out on the BBB website, but can find no reviews about any of them.
I would prefer to go to a small family owned store than a huge franchise as I feel they have to compete twice as hard for business than the franchise stores.
I don't want a "deal" I just want it done properly the first time.
As far as the carpet is concerned
It's a toss up between, Smartstrand or Stainmaster with an 8lb pad as the house is on a slab.
Softness / feel is important,as my husband is a diabetic and certain carpets hurt his feet and for me it's durability and stain cleaning as I do not intend to replace my carpet for at least 10yrs. We have no children or pets.
Please advise
Bev8001,
From experience I have found that having an A rating on BBB is not guarantee that a company is trustworthy. Personally, I like Angie's List, and I find it worth the investment to join. Look for those businesses with A rating. You can also ask friends and neighbors about their carpet buying experiences.
As far as you choice of carpet, I am in favor of the DuPont Sonora Version of Smartstrand fiber as marketed by the Horizon brand of Mohawk, or the Karastan of Mohawk, or Mohawk brand under their color center program. Ask your dealer for a product called "Sacred Star". You will love the feel and looks of this carpet for years.
Good Luck,
Jim
Carpetguru four years ago I bought stainmaster ultra life carpet from a local carpet dealer.. I have a claim filed due to stains not coming out of the carpet, I just had it cleaned a week ago, Waiting for a stainmaster inspector, found out that my carpet is delaminating at the seams (pretty bad)I do have dogs but they have not made messes where the carpet is delaminating.. I think they are going to replace 3/4 of the carpet due to stains but where is carpet is delaminating is in the entrace to a room that was not going to be replaced.. should I insist they replace it all.. right now I have a moisture barrier pad is it worth going to the pet pad and spending the extra 10 cents a square foot thank you
Dowhatgirl,
It is industry standard for carpet involved in a claim to replaced in such a way that you cannot tell that a "repair" has been made. This often means replacing all connecting carpet up to but not necesscarily including the bedrooms.
I would not spend any extra for Pet pad, this is a gimmick, and serves no purpose.
Good Luck,
Jim
Good evening,
1st off...great blog (as dozen of other viewers write).
2nd...we have our choice between Shaw's Clear Touch PET with r2x and Karastan's SmartStrand Tender Touch being PTT.
Aprox 100 yds will be going in bedrooms, a hall and stairs. We do like the added color flecks with Shaw's Kathy Ireland's Acclaim but our research shows the Smart Strand Tender Touch Beach Powder with PTT as a more recommend product for durability.
My 1st question is:
Should we even consider Shaw's Clear Touch or just go for Karastan's Smart Strand?
My 2nd question is:
For the Karastan's SmartStrand, a local supplier has an instock price of $21.99 cdn /yd and an order in price of $26.99 cdn /yd. Are these fair prices in your valued opinion?
Thank you,
TheGreatOutdoors
The Great Outdoors,
While the Smartstrand may be more durable if you were comparing equal weights, twist levels, etc. However if the Cleartuch is more than 40 ounces and has a par rating of over 3 .5, then choose the clear touch if you like the color better.
I cannot comment about pricing, as there are too many private labeling, so I have not idea about exactly what carpet I am looking at.
Good luck,
Jim
Thank you Carpetguru for your quick response!
One interesting question:
The carpets that we are looking at all have no repeat pattern and labeled as 'None'. Does this give installers a free-rein to seam carpet in different directions or still must it be installed in the same direction for optimal 'viewing preformance'. (cheezy way of saying but I think you get the point) :)
Thank you,
The Great Outdoors
The Great Outdoors,
You said it very well. All carpet has a direction, regardless of what some salesperson tells you, and it must all be laid the same direction. Any deviation in this rule will result in the carpet looking a different color when seamed together.
Good Luck,
Jim
I need to buy carpet to go over concrete that is dry. I want NO VOCs if possible for pad and carpet. I am extremely chemically sensitive and new carpet could ruin me. I am just learning about PET as in Sorona, Everstrand, Smartstrand. Don't know about pads for VOCs except your reccomendation of frothed densified foam. Am I smarter to get something like wool? What about products to put on new carpet that seal in the gasses? Thanks much.
Hello,
We had choosen a SmartStrand Triexta product and cannot wait for it to be installed.
My question is regarding pad and stairs. I'm under the opinion of using froth foam instead of rebond
for the added pad durability on such a high traffic area.
What are your thoughts on froth foam on stairs and with this type of pad being installed in dry climates? (as example, I've been told numerous times rubber is not a good choice for our dry location)
Thank you,
The Great Outdoors
If you are extremely sensitive to VOC's, you should only purchase a woven carpet, (not tufted like 90% of the carpet being offered), and the pad should be a spun nylon fiber pad. This is the only way you can keep the voc's below the level that may affect your allergies. All carpet that is tufted is held together by latex, and this latex is the source of most of the voc's. Second source is the pad, and even froth foam will give off some voc's (that will dissipate quickly). Do not use slab rubber under your woven carpet, as that pad will also give off voc's.
You may have to settle for ceramic tile or hardwood with woven area rugs.
Good Luck
Jim
the Great Outdoors,
For the stairs you can use Mohawk's Smartcushion in 3/8 thickness for your stairs. This will double your Mohawk warranty. If you can afford it, you can use smartcushion 7/16th under the rest of your carpet.
Good Luck,
Jim
Our family room carpet was to be installed today. Furniture had been removed, padding put down and they unrolled the Karastan brand carpet to find a color problem running down the center of the entire piece. Will not be able to install till a new one arrives. Should we expect compensation from the company? I will be happy to provide additional information if needed but I'm wondering what would be the thing to do next. Thank you for your time and expertise.
Sorry you had a problem with your Karastan carpet. It is unusual for carpet to arrive with a visible flaw in it, however, be thankful that the installers did not lay it anyway, and put you through the whole process of filing a claim, and redoing the entire job.
As for the dealer's responsibility, it is industry standard to make the customer's home as livable as possible during the waiting period. This includes laying out some of the old carpet over the pad, and moving some of the furniture back so you can live in the home until the new carpet arrives. It is not industry standard to give money back to the customer, however some dealers have been know to offer a five percent discount for the inconvenience, depending on the scope of the job.
Good Luck,
Jim
Hello Carpetguru-love the information you provide--I've learned tons of info I'd never get from the store.
I'm on a tight budget, but recognizing, "less" can sometimes actually mean "costing more". I'm looking to get a carpet, that won't look matted and worn after six months.
Anyway, my basement is dry and I am looking to carpet two kids rooms with a "kanga" type backing textured frieze carpet from Menards called Volcano manufactured by Looptex Mills.
It is a face weight of 30oz, 100% solution dyed PET BCF Polyester. 3/4" pile hight, twist 5.5, turf bind of 3.0, guage 3/16", best bac backing,secondary backing of woven polypropyene and not that warranties mean much but the following:
Warranty: 15 Year Limited Abrasive Wear
10 Year Limited Stain Resistance
10 Year Limited Fade
10 Year Limited Texture Retention
I did see your articles on having less than 320z pile with polyester as well, but it's so close I thought I'd ask anyway. :-)
OR
Would something like this below be a better choice or marginal?
MN897 Bridgeport
Marketing Brand CITATION
Style MN897 BRIDGEPORT
Width/Backing 12 Ft K2 KANGA K2
Construction TEXT CUT PILE
Dye Method SOLID
Ozs Per Square Yard 40.00
Average Pile Height 24/32
Primary Backing WOVEN POLYPROPYLENE
Pattern Repeat NONE
Stain Protection INHERENT
Fiber POLYESTER FILAMENT
FHA/HUD Certified 82897
Density 02250
Gauge 1/8 CPC
10 YEAR LIMITED RESIDENTIAL WEAR
7 YEAR LIMITED STAIN
What's your opinion? One better than the other, avoid both? Thank you, great site and great info!
Jim,
Your Kanga backed product should meet your needs if you have the carpet professionally cleaned every 18 months.
BTW, be sure to tell the carpet cleaner that you have kanga backed carpet. He will have to adjust the water flow.
Good Luck
Jim
Wow, thanks Jim. My post is the one about Menards Volcano (looptex mills) vs Bridgeport (Citation mill).
They both have a "kanga" type backing. Volcano has the private label backing, but thinner, more dense and the Bridgeport has the actual "kanga" brand mentioned by name in the spec sheet.
When you said go with the "kanga" did you mean the Bridgeport? Is it worth it at $.80 cents more/sqft? Or would either one perform okay for a basement bedroom? I wasn't sure if the cost difference is worth it in this case as specs seem so similar to me. :-)
Thanks again for your generous advice.
Jim,
A couple of ounces is a big difference if the other specs are similar ; I.e. Twist, pile height, stitch rate etc.
Jim
Nice website. I'd give you some business if I lived anywhere close. Is there anyone in particular you could recommend in Maryland?
Rob,
Sorry, it's impossible for me to personally grade dealers across the country. Your best bet is to join Angies List and read reviews of carpet dealers in your area. Those dealers with several happiness reviews are often the best.
Good luck,
Jim
Hello Carpet Guru!I am looking to buy Frothed Foam padding for an area 160x125 in my basement with water leaks which pros will address .However it was suggested I get Healthier Choice padding(frothed foam),based on your pricing quotes on your site of 25 sq. yd rolls;6x38 ft @.55cents per sq ft plus .23 cents freight/surcharges sounds ok I live in Port Jervis,N.Y 12771(Orange County).I would greatly appreciate purchasing it with your guidance.Thank you in advance,hope to hear from you soon.have a good day!
Jlt,
We do not ship out of State, and thus, the best bet for you would be to purchase the Healthier Choice Green from a dealer near you.
Good Luck,
Jim
Ben,
I do not publish questions with links in the text.
To answer your question, the best sound proofing is a thick plush carpet (60 ounces our better) installed over 120 ounce slab rubber padding.
Good Luck,
Jim
Hi Jim,
I had sent a message the day before, but I am uncertain if it actually went through so if you have already gotten it I apologize for the repeat.
My husband and I are planning to have carpeting installed throughout our entire house with the exception of the basement. We have narrowed our choice down to Passageway from Shaw (I’m not sure if it matters, but it will be installed by Sherwin Williams flooring). We are thinking of going with the 45 ounce face weight carpet (Passageway II), but were wondering if we should consider the 55 ounce face weight (Passageway III) for the more high traffic areas like our living room. We are also planning to go with 8 pound carpet padding throughout the house. Thank you for your help.
MSMiller,
Passageway 2 is all the carpet you will need for the next 15 years. Keep the carpet clean (professionally every 18 to 24 months) to keep your Shaw warranty. Be advised that this carpet comes in 15 ft width as well as 12 ft width. Sometimes the 15ft wide carpet will give you a better looking job due to less seams.
Good Luck,
Jim
Thanks for your helpful website!
Thanks for the sharing! They can make or break any carpet retailer.rugs uk
Hi,
Great site and information!
Have you had any experience with the Mohawk Wear Dated Revive lines? I'm looking at 1S35 Continual Comfort to carpet a new house near the beach. Two adults and one dog. I think this is a relatively new line. I don't have the specs on it either.
Should I conside this or pay more $$ for a SmartStrand product?
Dawn,
The new line of PET (Wear Dated) carpets from Mohawk was developed to compete with all the other mills that are introducing similar solution dyed filament PET. If the carpet you are looking at is 40 ounces or better, you should have no problem with it. It does not compare to 40 ounces of Sonora SmartStrand (the soft version of the fiber) for wear, but you could buy 30 ounces of the Sonora and get the same result.
These carpets all come with traffic warranties, but they are only valid if you professionally clean your carpet every 18 months.
Good Luck,
Jim
Where do I go to find details, if “waffle rubber padding” can cause health hazard when disintegrated but remains under the carpet ( not exposed at all). Padding is in an apartment , was installed in mid 1990.
Thank you.
Most all waffle Rubber padding is held together by binders that are mostly calcium carbonate. There is no BTH or other chemicals that should be of health concerns.
Pad is broken down to "crumbs" is a sign that someone installed new carpet over old padding; never a good idea.
Good Luck,
Jim
We have narrowed our carpet search to either Shaw's "Resista" or "Stainmaster". Any advice, opinions, comments or information would be greatly appreciated
Resista and Stainmaster are both good fibers, but they perform differently.
Resista is a PET filament that cleans well and resists fading and most stains. It does not require a "stain treatment" per say, as it is naturally stain resistant. However, it is not quite as strong as nylon, and therefore must be purchased in constructions that are at least 32 ounces, and a twist level of 6 or better.
Stainmaster, on the other hand, is a treatment for nylon that helps it resist common stains. This treatment will wear off, and should be reapplied within three to seven years. Nylon is a strong fiber, and you will get good performance even with 26 ounces of fiber if constructed properly.
Thus, when deciding between the two, look more at the construction of the carpet than the fiber.
Good Luck,
Jim
BTW also look at Mohawk's Smartstrand to combine the perfect marriage of wear and stain/fade resistance.
Hi Jim,
I feel like a bride getting cold feet. I've chosen a Hollytex Escapade II carpet which has a great density, weight, but it's twist level is only 4.57. Will that effect the wear? Will this be a great carpet for someone staying long term in a house? Also, the carpet dealer I'm working with is wanting to put in a "Mohawk Guardian Cushion", which is an 8lb. memory foam pad. Is this the same as a "frothed foam" or am I getting a lesser product at a bigger price? I'm paying about 26.25 for carpet and pad. Since I have over 200 yds. to put in, this is no small decision! Thanks for helping me with my questions and my "cold feet"!
Kim
Kim,
Escapade 2 is an outstanding carpet that you will not wear out for years. This carpet is made with solution dyed nylon, and will not fade or stain.
The memory foam pad you mentioned is an 8 lb rebond and is a good choice for the carpet you selected. Froth foam is an "over kill" in this instance, and, unless you are going to still be in the home in 20 years, is not necessary.
Good Luck,
Jim
BTW the price you were quoted is a broker type price, and is about 12% above cost; assuming there are no additional fees i.e. freight etc.
Buying carpet is so confusing! I am replacing carpet in great, dining and bedrooms. What do you think about frieze? Can you please give me some guidelines and suggestions for choosing quality frieze carpeting from Mohawk?
I have read that carpeting made from nylon is best for wearability, but I don't want it to look matted after a few years.
Thank you!
Chris,
You should read all of carpetguru.com!
Read about construction and about fibers.
Good luck,
Jim
I would like your opinion on a 25oz PET and the Triexta carpets for rental properties.
Joe,
25 ounces is a little light weight for PET products, but is a great for Triexta. The Triexta will wear better than a 25 ounce nylon while being much easier to keep clean.
Good Luck,
Jim
Looking at a Stainmaster 35 oz face, Frieze
100% Stainmaster Tactesse BCF Nylon
Use in bedrooms with light to med traffic.
Made by Beaulieu Mills, Never heard of them. Is this a wise choice or better to stick with Mohawk?
Love your site. Learned a lot!
Beaulieu makes good carpet just like any other mill. In the US thet are number three in sales behind shaw and Mohawk, but world wide they are number one.
The carpet you selected will do well if installed in accordance with CR-105 .
Good luck,
Jim
what is the very best pad you recommend to install on basement concrete and under Shaw commercial carpet, as we spend all of our time down here now? I have been considering 3/8 " ten pound Healthier Choice or Shaw Triple Touch. Will these present a problem with allowing the concrete to breathe? I am ready to order - HELP!!!!!!!! THANKS SO MUCH!!!
Carol
Carol,
Trip,e touch pad has a double moisture barrier, do not use!
HC pad may have a breathable moisture barrier and could work.
Good luck,
Jim
I have found that professional carpet cleaners do not know much (if anything) about the Mohawk "Triexta" yarn. Do you have much info on the cleaning proceedures for the different fibers; Nylon, Polyester and Triexta?
Thanks in advance,
Joe
Joe,
You should obtain a cleaning guide from your dealer after the carpet you purchased was installed.
In general, plain water is best, especially on triexta. One could use a solution of 1 drop liquid laundry detergent per cup of water. This solution will remove the mild oils and sugars that may get on the carpet. Dilute with plain water and blot. Try not to use solvents; i.e. resolve.
Good Luck,
Jim
We are currently looking at replacing carpet throughout our home. We have a very large family and I am especially concerned with a high traffic stairway that our front door opens to. I am comparing two Mohawk carpets: a Sorona Smartstrand that is 48oz and Everstrand XP Corterra that is 40oz. Could you help me understand the difference? I told both salespeople I wanted Smartstrand, but I think I am looking at two different kinds of fibers here, correct?
Momof9,
The fiber Corterra is a Shell Oil version of PPT fiber and has not been used in carpet in the US for over five years.
Smartstrand is Mohawk's version of Triexta (the PPT fiber made by Dupont and Mohawk.). Sonora is the soft version of Smaetstrand and is the longer wearing of the Triexta fibers. Your choice of the 48 ounce version od the Smartstrand is a good choice.
Good luck,
Jim
Jim, if you were the owner of an apartment complex which carpet and padding would you install?
Is the fiber more important than the carpet weight?
Seems as my msg was not loaded (probably ignored the word verification!!!). Great site, I've been immersed in it. We seem to have settled on a Shaw cut pile under the Evans Black label at Carpet One; a local store claimed this is now listed under the Tuftex brand and that E-B was "retired" as a brand after Shaw acquired it several years ago. Should we be at all worried by this? Is it old inventory being sold off over time?
Details: Tactesse BCF nylon, face wt: 44.8 oz, thickness .430, guage (dernier?) 1/8, tufts 10.7 per inch, Softbac, total weight 84 ozs, density 3751, twists 6.65, durability rating (Par?) 4.20.
Thanks, Jim.
James
Joe,
The number one selling apartment carpet in the country is made from Triexta . When below 30 ounce face weight stick with Triexta . Install over min. 6 pound rebond 7/16 this pad.
Good luck,
Jim
James,
As mentioned under the "scam" section of our website, evans & black is used as a private lable of Carpet One franchises. It is not "old inventory " . It is the same Tuftex carpet being offered by your other dealer.
Good luck,
Jim
BTW the carpet should last a long time if those are the carpet specs!
Hi! Thank you for taking the time to answer all the questions asked of you---you are providing a wonderful service to consumers! We have been looking at carpet for our living room & hall, and really like the Mohawk Smartstrand "Painted Sky" Frieze. We need a carpet that will wear very well and not mat down, as well as being stain resistent. Since we have a small house, the living room is an EXTREMELY high traffic area. We have 4 kids & 2 dogs. I have heard alot about Smartstrand's stain resistence, but is it going to wear well? Also, our carpet store offers either a 8lb. standard pad or a Stainmaster Cushion with Odor Guard. I am a bit worried about the carpet backing shifting as it touches the Stainmaster cushion, because of it's smooth "top", and if that will affect the carpet's wearability. When we put the carpet sample on top of the Stainmaster odor pad sample, it slid around. I know that the pad is supposed to provide a barrier to help pick up spills, but does it also help with regard to wear, or are we better off going with the conventional pad? Our sales guy seemed neutral concerning which pad to go with--on the plus side it releases enzymes to control odor--on the down side the spill is more dispersed. Do spills bead up on the surface with Smartstrand, or does it have the tendency to soak through? Also, are we making a good choice of carpet concerning wear? Thank you so much for your time--sorry for so many questions.
Painted Sky by HORIZON division of Mohawk is a freize/shag with a par rating of 3.2 which is a rating that is not "extremely heavy traffic". However, since it has over 44 ounce of face weight, and it is tweeded, it should hide most family living. It carries great warranties, but you must have the carpet professionally cleaned every 18 months to keep the warranties in effect. Also, do not use a vacuum with a "beater bar". Use a good upright type with an all brush roller.
Do not waste you money on pads with a vapor barrier (solid vinyl skin over the pad). A good 8 b rebond will do very well. If you feel you must use this type of pad, Mohawk makes one called SmartCushion that will double the warranties of your new Smartstrand carpet.
We have sold several installations of Painted Sky and have yet to have one complaint. I think the key to long carpet live is good maintenance.
Good Luck,
Jim
Jim, have you heard of the Beaulieu PET with "Magic Fresh"? Would this be an option for apartment complexes given the quick turn-over of the rental units (3 to 5 days)on average?
What can you tell me about Lee's Carpet? I have few vendors in my area. Usually deal with CarpetOne. The "Lee's Carpet" I am considering seems really expensive even though it is on a 30% factory reduction. SE OHIO
Magic fresh is a line of carpet with a wide range of qualities. While one of those many work for you, it may be a better investment to use Smartstrand for apt. Use. The number one property management carpet in the country is made from Smartstrand .
Good luck,
Jim
Lees brand is a private label used by the Carpet One chain. They feel they can charge more because they have no competition on the Lees. Brand. However, you will find the exact same carpet at your local retailer for less money. It will take some research to figure out the private label crossover, but with the effort.
Good luck, Ohio
Jim
Dear carpetguru--what is the best U.S. manufactured carpet. Laura
Laura,
There is no BEST carpet mill. Most mills make a broad range of qualities. Quality is mostly a function of construction rather than fiber or brand name of the mill.
Good luck,
Jim
Hi Jim,
We would like to replace the carpeting that was in our house when we bought it 13 years ago and found out that it was laid with no pad whatsoever. It appears that the sub floor(plywood)is only 1/4" below the wide pine flooring that makes up the hallway where the two carpeted rooms are located. I can't see how we can lay padding and carpet. The carpet alone will probably tower over the hall floor where the two meet. What's to be done? Can we install new carpet without a pad or will we severely limit it's life? Is there wafer thin padding out there? We have pets and the rooms are office and bedroom.
Thanks for your advice,
Laura2
Laura,
If the only place were the carpet and the pine meet is at a couple of doorways, then go ahead and install a short nap carpet over 5/16th Healthier Choice blue froth foam padding. When the installer butts up to the pine flooring he will not use tackstrip in that area, but instead, roll the edge to fit the wood and staple through the carpet to hold it in place. This will give you a carpet finish edge instead of a metal edge, and the amount of rise will not be a burden to living with it. BTW, it you cannont find Healthier Choice blue, use a quality 8 lb shaved 3/8ths rebond pad.
Good Luck,
Jim
I have picked out Karastan's Woodland Pass in Fresh Kiwi, which is the perfect color for my bedroom, BUT it is not dense enough. The salespeople in all our carpet stores around here, too, dislike Smartstrand, so that makes me nervous. What do you think of Woodland Pass by Karastan?
Thanks, Nancy
NKRAMPERT,
I am not aware of all of Karastan's private label names. Thus, I cannot give you any specific advice on the carpet you mentioned.
However, if the carpet is made of Smartstrand and has 40 ounces or more of fiber on the face, then you will not wear it out. Smartstrand is slightly stronger than nylon, but is much more cleanable. Just make sure to clean your new Smartstrand carpet every 18 months in the high traffic areas. This will keep your carpet looking new and keep your Karastan warranty in place.
Good Luck,
Jim
Greetings,
We just had new carpet installed (Shaw Tuftex True Colors). Love the carpet, but noticed an unevenness in the pad right away; it's a 6 lb. rebond. And then the squeaks started. Not good! The installer returned and pulled the carpet back when the first squeak showed up and pulled out a hard piece of plastic, like black pvc which was causing the squeak. However, over the next several days as we started walking on the carpet, more squeaks showed up in all the rooms and hallways. Very distressing. We purchased our carpet from a reputable, local dealer. He has been out to witness the squeaks and unevenness in the pad and has the factory rep for the pad coming out Thurs. to check it out. The pad itself feels lumpy almost everywhere when you walk on it with bare feet. It does not feel smooth like you would expect. The dealer said once a year or so they get a bad batch of pad. This is totally unacceptable and the pad will be replaced. Have you ever heard of this happening? We are terrified now to have new rebond put down for fear of the same thing. The dealer has used this pad for 15 years will few problems. We had rebond under the last carpet we had and there was no problem at all. Now the carpet has to all be pulled up and the pad replaced. The hallway includes a balcony roll and we fear this carpet will not be the same once it is pulled up and seams are opened and redone. Could you share your thoughts on how we should best proceed to get the quality end product we are paying thousands of dollars for? Also, how much stapling should go into the pad?
Thanks so much for your thoughts on our little nightmare. M
Rebond pad is made two different ways. One is the "bun" method where the ingredients are placed in a giant pad and "cooked" like a loaf of bread. Then the skins (crusts) are cut off and the remaining bun is cut length wise into 7/16th inch thick, six feet wide, and 45 ft long strips, and these are rolled up in to rolls of pad. The next time they make a bun there is a possibility for some of those "crusts" to find their way into the mix. This is what you are finding in the pad that was installed in your home. This is a pad defect. Your dealer should replace all the pad at no expense to you.
The second method of making rebond is call the "log and peel" method. This is the mixture is poured in to vertical tubes, cured, and then peeled through a slit in the side of the tube. This produces an even pad without "skins". The only drawback to this method is making sure the mixture does not settle too long in the tube. This produces a pad that has a higher density on one side of the roll.
It is the carpet installers good judgement that can save you having to replace your pad due to defects in the pad. He can spot these defects the minute he unrolls a roll of pad, or when he is on his hands and knees attaching the pad to the floor.
Good luck,
Jim
Hi Carpetguru,
I tried posting this earlier, but I can't find my comment, so I'm trying again. Thank you for all of the advice and info you provide on your site. I'm looking at three different carpets right now, and would like advice on how they might comparatively perform and which I should probably go with. They are all smartstrand carpets. The first is Lees (Mohawk) that is a saxony with a face weight of 48 0z, a height of .84, a density of 2047 and a twist of 5.5; the next is a Karastan textured with a f.w 48 oz, density 1968 and twist of 6.2; the last is Mohawk that is slightly more textured than a plush, but not as high as the Lees carpet, with a f.w. of 52 oz, density 3005, and twist of 5.5. I know the last carpet is most likely the best, although we aren't thrilled with the style. Does the higher twist and texture of the Karastan make up for the lower density? What about the Karastan vs the Lees since the density is relatively close? Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Jennifer
Jennifer,
Since all three carpets are Smartstrand, you can't go wrong with any of these. However, you are paying too much for any carpet with the " Lees" label as this is a Carpet One private label.
The only pad that will double your Mohawk /Karastan warranty is SmartCushion.
Good luck,
Jim
what is the best carpet for wear on stairs> I;m looking at Bliss Softsense 35 oz. Should I go with frieze, textered or pattern variety?
Jim,
Update on my Oct. 11, 2011 defective pad post. Thank you for the detailed info on the manufacture of rebond pads. I agree the installer should have caught this and having done it for 30 years there's no excuse. The pad rep walked on this disaster yesterday and agreed that there is a problem. The manufacturer is replacing our entire defective 6 lb. pad with an upgraded 8 lb. pad. My concern, of course, is that the carpet will not go back down the same way. But I have been assured by the owner of the carpet business that my satisfaction is paramount, so if I'm not happy with it in the end, they will replace it. Pretty sure he doesn't want to go there unless he has to! And neither do I!
I did my research and thought I was asking all the right questions about my new carpet and pad. Having a defective carpet installed was not even on my radar. My advice to all those carpet searchers out there is to ask as many questions about the pad choices and installation practices as you do about the carpet. And go with the 8 lb. pad to minimize problems. Judging from your comments in the past, I think you would agree.
Again, thanks for this wonderful forum. Only wish I had come across it BEFORE I ordered my carpet! M
Hi,
I have shopped carpets for my basement rec room for my teen girls. I have 2 quotes: first for a smartsrand True Perfection in a 44 oz 5.25 twist and second for a Resista "Homestretch" in 45 oz. with a 4.5 twist. I realize there is a difference in fiber and twist, but could save $500.00 by going with the Resista. I'd like your opinion on this..is the savings worth the drop in stain resistance and fiber wear? Padding, install etc. are equal.
Thanks!
Mrs. Rome,
If it is just a stairway, use a commercial loop carpet. It will be on the stairs for twenty years. Otherwise, use a dense short plush or a short frieze.
Good Luck,
Jim
If you are going to be living in the home for more than ten years, then go with the Smartstrand. If not, use the Resista. If you have no kids, or pets, then the Resista will probably look good for fifteen years.
Like all carpet warranties, you must clean these carpets every 18 to 24 months.
Good Luck,
Jim
We just bought a frize, deep pile carpet - not quite a shag but very thick and plush. We can't find a vacuum cleaner that will work on it. The vacuums are either too low or too powerful and impossible to move over the carpet. We bought Dyson, Hoover self-propelled and an Electrolux canister - any suggestions?
See if you can locate a lightweght Oreck. This should work. In my opinion, Dyson is over rated, and kirby is a waste of money. We use a lightweight commercial Hoover here at the shop. I think it is available at Costco online.
Good Luck,
Jim
I am so glad I found your site! My husband and I are expecting our 1st baby and would like to replace our old carpet. We bought the house brand new in 2006 and the builder had installed a frize type carpet that I thought was beautiful and cushiony at the time, however, it is trashed and I am so disappointed. I am a type A personality and therefore constantly cleaning and having the carpets professionally cleaned and they still don't look good. We do have a chocolate lab as well. I would love a carpet that is plush, durable and easy to clean! And would last longer than the one we have.
Our entire downstairs is hardwoods so I just need carpet up the stairs and in the bedrooms. I would like to have the stairs with the runner look and possibly hardwoods in the hallway and master bedroom. My husband thinks the hardwoods upstairs is a bad idea. I would like your opinion. Also, I have a friend who in the past year or so just had the (Puresque stay-strong, color: Rice Grain) installed from home depot and she loves it. She has a blog with pictures and that is how I got the idea to change ours. Please provide your thoughts, as we are a young, new couple, not wanting to break the bank but are in need of something new!!!
Thanks!
East Coast, NC
There is no cheap way to fill you desire for the "perfect carpet. I would favor one of the following. "Park Aveneu", by Hollytex Carpets. This is a true frieze made from solution dyed filament nylon. My second choice would be Horizon Carpet's "Sacred Star". This is a frieze/plush made from Triexta, and will be a little more money, but you will have more colors from which to choose. Install either over an 8 lb rebond or 90 ouch slab rubber pad.
Good luck,
Jim
Its for the stairs, bedrooms & hallway.
Mrs. Rome,
The carpet is likely to be over priced since it is from a Carpet One dealer, and is private labeled! A par rating of 3.5 is good, so it probably will wear well.
You also should check out some carpets made with Triexta.
Good luck,
Jim
Jim,
I recently discovered your website and it has been very helpful! We’ve got a few questions for you:
1) We’ve got six children in a 1600 sf home. We’re going to do the three bedrooms and the front room in carpet (the rest of the floor is tile or laminate wood). We’re narrowing down to two carpets: The first is Lavish Design III (Georgiacarpet.com), 100% SmartStrand BCF 3GT Polyester with DuPont Sorona. The other is Shaw My Dream III (Nylon) style Q4318. Which would you recommend? No staining but also excellent texture retention are both important to us. In 2008 timeframe, you often said that SmartStrand was almost as good as Nylon, but I saw a recent post where you say it's slightly more durable than Nylon. So is SmartStrand the way to go?
2) Carpet pad. We need a pad that will hold up well and that will NOT let spills soak in. Remember those six kids? You’ve recommended the Shaw Triple Touch Froth Foam, but we’ve also had the Stainmaster Carpet Cushion with Odor Guard. We’ve also looked at the Shaw Premium Touch pad—is that the same as Triple Touch? Also, lots of pads advertise “double warranties”, but if the carpet and pad are different manufacturers, does the warranty really increase or not? We want the “perfect pad”—to make the carpet feel even better, no spill-effects, and extend the life of the carpet. What do you recommend?
3) Backing: I’ve seen there are a couple of different styles of backing. Most of the nylon carpets we’ve looked at have a simple hatched (grid) backing. The Mohawk smartstrand has a tightly weaved backing (feels a lot stronger). The Shaw My Dream Nylon carpets have a grid backing with an additional thin, soft fiber layer outside that. I’d like to avoid re-stretching anytime soon (if at all!). Does the backing type impact how soon a carpet may need to be restretched, or does the quality of the installation drive that more?
Thanks for your help!
Daniel.
Daniel,
I am not aware of the carpet names you supplied, however, I would make my choice based on the construction of the carpet. As long as either of your choices has a par rating of 4 or more, you will not be disappointed with the wear of your new carpet. If you want superior stain resistance, choose the Smartstrand.
Pad should support the carpet. You should use at least an 8 lb rebond. You do not NEED a pad that has a moisture barrier. A pad that doubles the warranty is a nice gimmick, but there are too many ways for the mill to back out of the warranty for you to be concerned about double warranties.
I only suggest the froth foam for those customers who don't mind the firm feel, have floor areas that are not concrete, and not over a crawl space. Also, unless you are going to be in the home for 20 years, froth foam is an "overkill"
The carpet backings will make a difference when it comes to restretch problems. If your installer is lazy and does not use a power stretcher, then buy a Shaw carpet with "soft bac". This type of backing, if stretched in, has a no wrinkle warranty. If your installer is good, and he knows how to properly use a power stretcher, wrinkles will not be a problem when carpet is installed over a pad that is at least 8 lb density, regardless of the type of backing.
Good Luck,
Jim
I just found this forum and thanks to Carpetguru. I am planning to replace all of upstairs bedrooms. It boils down to 2 carpets, Dupont Smartstrand Voyager by Mohawk (50oz Weight, 3005 Density) and Stainmaster Tactesse by Gulistan (38oz and, 2911 Density). Both are soft and I like it. I plan to use SmartCushion pad no matter which carpet I choose because the SC pad feels very good. The Tactesse is $4/SY less. All of my children are grown and traffic is much less now. Any advice on which carpet I should buy? James
Thank you for the great site. I'm buying carpet from a large warehouse chain. They want me to buy 528square feet of carpet to carpet a 390 square foot area-- a tiny house (living room, hall and bedroom). This seems like a lot of overage. Your site mentions to multiply 1.20 by the square footage as a rule of thumb. That would be 468. Are they trying to rip me off?
Considering Shaw Amoresque-Stainmaster Tactessse Bcf nylon and Masland Cameron Stainmaster Luxerell Bcf nylon for all upstairs bedrooms. (both somewhat of a frieze?)
Will have medium traffic, but also have an older dog who will have an accident now and then.
Is one of the above better than the other?
Also, I really prefer a loop Berber but can't seem to find
something comparable price wise, stain wise, and color wise. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
We are carpeting 2 bedrooms, light to med usage.
Looking at
Mohawk Horizon Paloma Nylon stainmaster Frieze
32 face weight
63.24 weigh
5/32 guage
Not listed as invista or tactesse, just "extra life"
or
Mohawk Horizon Triexta Smartstrand
32
66.38
3/16 guage
So confused,is the first one low-grade Mohawk? Should we stick with a Nylon and just pick a better grade?
If Nylon do you recommend it say Tactesse?
Reading you sight has be very helpful but when I get to the store I feel like a deer in the headlights! :)
Thanks! Terri
Hi Jim,
Help! I am trying to figure out what carpet to put in our finished basement. I am also trying to fugure out the pad choice. The floor is concrete, but I have no idea if it is suspended. I assume not. We are trying to balance cost/quality---We would like to go as inexpensive as possible as the basement will be functioning as a playroom, exercise room and occasional guest room. However, we do plan to stay in the house at least 10-15 years, and we don't want to have to replace the carpet every 5 years. There are obviously stairs to consider as well. We have two small children. We are trying to decide between nylon and polyester; minimun face weight; minimum twist; and minimum density we should look for. Can you help?
I forgot to sign my recent question(about the basement)
Thanks,
Katie!
P.S. I am also confused about vapor barrier/no vapor barrier pad for basement.
Jhw109,
If you have a pet(s), purchase the Smartstrand.
Good luck,
Jim
If you think you are being "ripped off", get another bid for a similar or exact same carpet.
Good luck,
Jim
Berber carpets (ones that have loops) and dogs are not a good mix . In your case I would favor the Shaw piece.
Good luck,
Jim
Terri,
You can't go wrong with the Smartstrand! You will find it superior in performance for wear and stains!
Good luck,
Jim
Katie,
Look at some Smartstrand carpet from the Aladdin division of Mohawk. There are some great values to be had.
Do NOT use a pad with a vapor barrier over your concrete floor. A good 8 lb rebond will work well.
Good luck,
Jim
Hi I was wondering what the difference is between EverstrandBCF and Smartstrand. Also Shaws Clearstrand. which is the best for stain resistance?
Debbietoessol
Debbie,
If one was to build equal weight carpets above 30 ounces, the Everstrand, which is Mohawks brand name for generic nylon, would wear well but would stain over time; the Clearstrand, a PET polyester, would clean up better, but not wear as well; while the Smartstand, a Triexta product, will clean better than both, and wear longer than both. This is assuming equal construction of each.
Good Luck,
Jim
Impressed with your blog, keep it up. To help insulate a floor over a garage, it appears foam pads have higher R rating than rubber pad. Do you agree that 8 lb foam will keep the room warmer than 120 oz rubber under resista carpet 63 weight?
Eugene,
Use the 1/2 inch version of 8 lb memory foam rebond for best results.
Good luck,
Jim
I AM LOOKING AT A "BEAUTIFUL"
100% SOLUTION DYED BCF P.E.T
ULTRASOFT XT POLYESTER
BACKING WOVEN POLYPROPYLENE SECONDARY ACTTIONBAC
PILL TEST PASSES
THEY SAY CHAIR PADS NEEDED UNDER ROLLERS OF CHAIRS. (WORRIES ME)
ANYWAY
THIS CARPET HAS A SHEEN/LUSTER. THAT I LOVE
WILL THIS WEAR OFF. GET DULL?
I WISH FOR 10 GOOD HARD YEARS WITH THIS CARPET WE HAVE PET ISSUE, HIGH TRAFFIC
IT NEEDS TO BE I
Michelle,
If your choice is 45 ounces or more, you will get your ten years, if you keep the carpet clean. Solution dyed PET. Will be a great carpet, especially if it is tweeted.
Good luck
Jim
Hello!
Several years back, we installed nice new carpeting in our basement family room. Now, due to one elderly cat and one with medical issues, we find ourselves having to replace it. We found Puresque carpeting at Home Depot and liked the odor-removing claims, but I keep finding things online saying that the carpet is not durable, that people have had real issues with it falling apart and cleaning badly. We need a carpet that will hold up to some wear! Any thoughts? (And thank you!!!!)
Please Help!...I feel like I am on carpet research overload and still don't have a clue what I am doing! We are a family of three with a Bloodhound, a Boarder Collie and a cat. We need to recarpet our family room which gets all the traffic, but are on limited a budget after five years of no raises. We need something that will last and perform well but not put us in the poor house.
We have found two carpets that are pretty much at the top of what we can afford but I am really confused and don't know if either is a good choice. I would appreciate any help you can give me. We are trying to determine if we should use one of these or wait longer to see if we can afford a better carpet.
Mohawk SmartStrand
Style Great Achievement
Pile is 50% BCF Triexta/50% BCF PET
We were told it has a 45 oz face weight and is a 4.5 out of 5 for wear but I am not sure what that means.
vs.
Shaw ClearTouch
Style See the World II
Fiber 100% BCF Cleartouch PET
the rating on it is a 3.5
I haven't been able to locate any info on the twist or density ratings on either one.
Could either of these work well for us or do we need to look for something else?
Thanks so much and I have to say after looking at what seems like hundreds of sites yours has helped more than any of them!
susan
Wendy,
Puresque is a Home Depot private label for many of their carpets. I cannot comment on them as a group, as there are likely good and poor carpets in that grouping.
If at all possible, I would look for a local dealer rather than a big box store for your carpet. If you have access to Angie's List, I would highly recommend you find a dealer you can trust using that list.
Be sure to read the first paragraph on our Scam page at www.carpetguru.com/scam.html This will help. Next do a "google" on Home Depot Carpet Complaints.
Good Luck,
Jim
Susan,
I would choose the Smartstrand/PET combo for its cleanability and long wear.
Good Luck,
Jim
Thanks Jim, I really appreciate your advice and thanks for doing this forum. It has been the most informative site I have found!
Hi Jim, You have convinced me to purchase Smartstrand carpet, now please help me choose one. I would like something with a "fleck" in it, color variations, very soft, and very high durability, so it looks new in 10-15 years. One carpet dealer recommended Sevilla Island, is that so long it will mat down after a while? What are you favorites? I really want to go high end. I went to the Mowhawk site, and the comparisons on weight, density, twist were overwhelming. And Sevilla Island was rated low on density and not very high on weight either. And yet it was one of the more expensive carpets in this showroom where it was recommended to me. HELP! If you could narrow down say three or four carpets for me to look at that would be great, and then tell me the most important things to ask...such as weight etc. Sorry to be so "uninformed" and thanks for your time. Angie
Angie,
Unfortunately , Mohawk does not yet have a good selection of tweedy (two or more tones), but there are some that are made with a mixture of PET and Smartstrand that will look good for a long time. Look at some of these from the Aladdin line of Mohawk carpets. You are correct to stay away from long shags. Short shags will do very well.
Good luck,
Jim
Hello,
I am moving my chiropractic practice into a brand new beautiful space with wood flooring. The building has been rebuilt over an existing foundation.The flaw is that the floor has a distinct swelling due to a problem under the floor that the builder could not correct. The swelling rises about 3 inches higher than the rest of the floor and extends forward from the front door about 6 feet and is about 6 feet wide.\ and gradually tapers down to the flat floor. i am trying to figure out how to minimize this noticeable imperfection and wonder if better floor evenness could be achieved with a creative carpeting solution. Thank you for any ideas you may have.
Hi once again Jim, I spent most of the day carpet shopping..brought some samples of what I could find in Mohawk (the tweedy look ) and I was disappointed that on Mohawks site they were ALL rated low on density. One is called Enlightened Decor...are you familar with that one? Another is Vibrant Beauty...do you know about that one? One salesman wanted to sell me Stainmaster "Stepping Up", wondered if you could tell me anything about it. Tried to go to Stainmaster's site for specs, nothing there. Sigh! So, I walked into one place, and they sell Shaw carpet. He sent me home with samples of three weights of Queen Laurel Hill III. Looked on their site, its rated 4.0 with a performance rating. Looks and feels nice, are you familiar with it? However, I didn't understand Shaw's ratings since there are three weights? I saw a Tuftex carpet on their site too, that I would like to see, Temple Garden, face weight 46, performance 4.5. Have you seen that or know about it? Wondering if I am going to have to go with nylon afterall even tho I really wanted to go smartstrand. Sorry to ask so much in one comment. And thanks in advance for your help. Angie
Carleen,
If the "swelling" is a structural thing instead of a moisture thing, then a thick super shag carpet over a fiber pad in the form an an area rug may be your best bet.
If the wood is swollen due to moisture, then the wood should be removed, the floor evened with cement, and the source of the moisture abated.
Good Luck,
Jim
Angie,
Sorry your quest seems to be so confusing. If you really want a tweed, then the Laural Hill 3 is an excellent carpet. It is treated with R2X and this will help with stain resistance for the first seven years. If you are planning on a great deal of spills, pet stains, and have lots of sun hitting the carpet, then you may still want to use Smartstrand.
Because of private labeling, I and not aware of the Mohawk names you mentioned, however, if you want a great smartstrand carpet look at Horizon brand by Mohawk, and look for Sacred Star or Atlantic Shores. Both have a par rating over 4 and will perform well in your home. You will be able to clean spills with plain water in most cases.
Good Luck,
Jim
Hi again Jim, thanks for both your replies. Okay, I now think I know what my hubby really wants. He wants a frieze...ieieieiiee! So could you give me a couple of Mohawk smartstrands to look for? The very best out there? I guess density is not what you look for in a frieze, but a tight twist? I am still finding it hard not to be overwhelmed and confused. Btw, if we do end up with a tweedy look we will go with that Laurel Hill III but hubby is afraid of foot prints, vacumn marks, tracks etc. So please give me the best advice on the nicest frieze in Mohawk Smartstrand and THANKS again for alll your timeeeee!
Angie,
Your selection of anything except a looped carpet will result in seeing some footprints and vacuum marks.
The two carpets from Horizon are frizes, and will show some footprints, but they will wear very well.
Good .Luck,
Jim
PLEASE HELP US! WE NEED TO PURCHASE 2,200 SQUARE FEET OF CARPET FOR OUR HOUSE. WE HAVE 4 CHILDREN, OLDEST IS 13, YOUNGEST IS 5, AND 1 DOG AND 1 CAT. WE WERE LOOKING AT TIGRESSA, BUT I GET THE FEELING YOU ARE NOT COMPLETELY SOLD ON THEIR PRODUCT YET. I'M NOT SURE IF I WANT TO BE THE GUINEA PIG EITHER. THE SAMPLES WE HAVE HERE SAY PAR 3.75, TWIST 6, FACE WEIGHT 43.9 OZ, DENSITY IS 2,725. WE WANT TO DO THIS RIGHT THE FIRST TIME. I'M LOOKING AT ABOUT $7,000 IN CARPET, NOT INCLUDING INSTALLATION. MY QUESTION IS WHAT CARPET WOULD YOU GO WITH IF THIS WAS YOUR HOME EVEN IF IT MAY BE MORE PRICEY. SO, GIVE ME SOME OPTIONS TO LEAD US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION SO THAT WE CAN GET THE MOST BANG OUT OF OUR BUCKS. THANK YOU, KARLA
Karla,
If the "Tigressa" is made form nylon, and is a color that will hide soil, and is tweeded, then perhaps you will like this carpet in your home.
For family living, I like a solution dyed nylon carpet from Hollytex called Park Place 2. This is a true frieze, will hold up really well on stairs and other high traffic areas, and will not stain, fade, or crush out. You will have to shop around to find a dealer who carries Hollytex, but it is worth the trip. Based on the size of your home, expect to pay between 10K and 11K for this carpet installed over a quality 8 lb pad, to include pull up and disposal of old.
Good Luck,
Jim
I am looking to replace a carpet in my basement and on stairs. The basement is not heavily trafficked, but we do have a dog who tracks dirt in and who likes to scratch at the carpet. Our last carpet was a loop carpet, and not long after it was installed, he managed to pull up some strings, and now we have several places where the carpet has "run" like a wool sweater. The stairs are heavily trafficked, and cleaning has not helped.
I was looking at the Home Depot Puresque brand (46 oz face weight, 4.57 twist, and 3,380 density), and liked the odor/mildew resistance claims since this is a basement. But from your site, and others, am worried about its stain resistance. Also, it appears to be a continuous filament - will that "run" again like my last carpet? HD also has a "Platinum Plus" collection that purports to be 100% nylon (40 oz face weight, 5.00 twist), although it also is continuous filament. Any thoughts on either of these, or should we be looking at other options (I tend to prefer pattern carpets)?
Thank you,
Brookline, MA
VF,
A continuous filament fiber does not mean that the carpet run if you pull on a strand. Only all looped carpets will "run" if pull out a loop, as these are tufted and connected the length of the roll. Cut pile carpets like plush, friezes, and shags do not "run" as each tuft is separate.
If you buy a continuous filament fiber, it will not shed or fill up your vacuum with fuzz. Its a good thing.
If at all possible, however, I would find a local dealer instead of a big box store for your project. At your local dealer you will find answers to your other concerns as far a carpet performance, and also, most likely, better quality installation.
Good Luck,
Jim
Hello Carpetguru-
Great website! Husband and I are about to replace our carpeting and are considering (a) Shaw Philadelphia Essential Ingredient III, 100% Stainmaster Luxerell 54.6 oz face weight and (b) Beaulieu Bliss Velvet Touch 100% Stainmaster Luxerell 60oz.
In your opinion, which is the better carpet?
Thanks
The Shaw and the Beaulieu carpets you are looking at will perform about the same, and your choice at this point should be based on which color do you like best.
Good Luck,
Jim
I would like to purchase Smartstrand but am concerned about the softness of the fibers and footprints showing. I have seen the frieze's show traffic patterns. Would I be better off purchasing a cut pile or saxony? I want a soft warm look, but don't care for the messy look of frieze's.
There is no way to totally avoid footprints and vacuum marks in any of the soft carpets, UNLESS, you purchase an all looped carpet. NOT a cut and loop, but an all looped carpet. Even these, due to the softness of the fiber, will show some vacuum marks.
If you really cannot live with messy carpets, you need to purchase a commercial type 6.6 nylon plush carpet that is not made from soft nylon. Pick a light color if you can find one, and this will be the only non-all looped carpet choice you will have.
Good Luck
Jim
Would you choose Karastan tendertouch or Mohawk Sevilla Island? The rep was at the store and said they are both high end carpets. Seemed like the tendertouch shows more footprints? Do you know which one has the tighter twist? I wonder which will perform better longer? Thanks!
Jim,
Your thoughts, please, on pads. We want to stay away from rebond after 2 separate defective pads (6# and 8#)were installed under our new carpet. The carpet has a platinum soft back, is plush. Runs over stairs, hallways, bedrooms. We don't need a vapor barrier necessarily. We just want the best option for having no problems in the future. We are looking at the Napa, Triple Touch, Healthier Choice and Ultra Touch (by Foam Products).Get different input from different sales people and want to get this right. One doesn't recommend the Triple Touch because they have it in a low traffic area in their showroom and it's showing signs of flattening out. One touts the Napa and has it in her home for over 10 years and loves it. It's also in their showroom and it feels wonderful. What would you recommend? The Triple Touch would double the warranty on our Shaw carpet. Thanks for your input.
Looking for carpet for a basement. It gets damp in a few areas from time to time and probably some moisture coming through the slab. Old cement floor with many coats of paint. I'm considering rubber backed carpet tiles or glue down berber. Will the carpet tiles trap moisture underneath or is this not a consern. With either I could suck up water or remove tiles in an event with water leakage.
I don't recognize the Karastan and Mohawk carpet names you mentioned, but I can say that the shorter the pile, the less vacuum marks and footprints will be visible.
Good Luck,
Jim
Of the pads you mentioned, in your case I would definitely buy the triple touch from Shaw.
Good luck
Jim
Matt,
I would install commercial carpet tiles that have the vinyl backing. These will last even if you have to take up a tile, take it outside and hose it down, dry it, and then reinstall in the basement. These tile generally do not have to be glued down. They are heavy enough to stay in place. Install with the room temperature at least 70 degrees.
Good Luck,
Jim
Jim,
Thank you for your recommendation of Triple Touch from my earlier post. Another question for you... I have a quote from a high end carpet store who uses only felt on the stairs. Triple Touch everywhere else. They are very particular about their installation of carpet. None of the other places I have gone to mentioned this option. I'm assuming it would be felt made for heavy traffic areas. Could this give us problems down the road? What do you think? Thanks again for the info.
Many "old timers " like the idea of felt pad on the stairs because they think this type of pad will keep the stair carpet from ever developing wrinkles. This was especially true back in the days when woven carpet was the norm.
If you can live with the firmer feel of the felt pad, then using such a pad will not diminish the performance of your new carpet.
Good luck,
Jim
What kind of carpet pad should we purchase for a frieze carpet? Is every eight lb pad the same? How do we know what we are purchasing? We looked at steppin up pad at Home Depot and really liked it but don't want to have to purchase our carpet there. Is there a pad we can buy at any carpet store that is really nice? We don't know how much money to spend on the pad? Thanks for all your help!
You should read our pad page at carpetguru.com/pad.html
Most 8 lb rebonds are the same. Those made from memory foam fare better.
Also, check out 100 ounce slab rubber pad for use in high traffic areas.
Good luck,
Jim
I'm building a house and I have to choose from Shaw carpeting. I think I will upgrade to the 6 LB pad for the entire house, not sure if I should upgrade to 8 LB. I'm really thinking about just the base 'Shaw Baseline' carpet. I feel the builder wants way too much money to upgrade to the "Shaw Collinsville" carpet. It is $1 per square foot to upgrade the carpet.
I know Shaw gives the 'Collinsville' carpet a higher rating and it is stain resistant. Is it really worth the extra money? I feel like I'd rather get the 3-5 years out of the standard carpet and then use my 'carpet upgrade' money to buy better carpet at a later date. What do you think? If I go this route, is it even worth the $450 to upgrade from 4LB pad to 6LB padding?
Oh, some information: I'm single, one very clean, well mannered cat. I don't smoke, am very clean, and never wear shoes in the house. I also vacume about 3-4 times per week with an obsession of keeping the carpet fiber 'up'.
In your case, I would suggest the 6 lb pad, as there would be no Shaw warranty with a 4 lb pad.
Also, your are correct, the builder makes money ONLY if he can get you to upgrade a every chance he can. Upgrade next time.
Good luck,
Jim
What are your thoughts on the Host method of carpet cleaning?
Host, Capture, and other such methods of carpet cleaning are not supported by the CRI for keeping your carpet warranties in place.
I would only use them as a one time emergency solution. Steam cleaning is best.
Good Luck,
Jim
I recently asked your opinion about a couple of different carpet products and appreciated your response. Now I would like to know what your opinion is regarding Stainmaster moisture barrier padding. What are the pros and cons? Would you recommend it for general use? Thanks.
If you buy Stainmaster pad you will be paying too much because the Stainmaster name does not make the carpet wear any better. Also, it is not necessary to purchase a pad with a vapor barrier. In fact, if the carpet is installed at ground level, a vapor barrier pad is not a good idea.
Stick with a quality 8 lb 7/16th rebond, or a 90 ounce slab rubber padding.
Good Luck,
Jim
Hi Carpet Guru,
I have new carpet and padding. The padding is a 5 lb rebond padding. I have a problem with the padding. there are random hard spots through out the pad. I have pulled up one of the spots and it is a hard pebble sized piece of rubber with a hardness no less than a that of a car tire. The manufacturer says that it is not a defect. Are you familiar with rebond padding that has these particles? Defect or normal?
Ramblin,
The hard spots should not be all over the padding. This is a manufacturer's defect. This event does sometimes happen when someone on the quality control line does not catch the defect. Sometimes several rolls can leave the plant, and no one knows until in the pad is unrolled. If the installer did not catch the hard spots, he was not paying attention. It is too bad that you, the end user, had to be the one to make the discovery.
If the dealer will not replace the pad, take samples of the pad ,with hard spots, around to other dealers. They should tell you that the pad is defective. Take notes, and names, and pictures. Then take the dealer to small claims court for the cost of new defect free pad, and the labor to reinstall your entire job.
Good Luck,
Jim
BTW I am member to the Carpet Cushion Council.
Hi Jim,
Thank you for all of your advice! I have read that you do not recommend moisture barrier pad, but we are installing over a concrete slad and found a "breathable" pad made by stainmaster that reportedly allows moisture to evaportate through the pad and carpet. What other padding options would you recommend to allow moisture to evaporate off of slap? The house is a tri-level with the family room below grade on a concrete slab. Thank you in advance for your time and expertise.
-Brian
Brian,
The Stainmaster pad is expensive because you are paying for the stianmaster name. You may also use an 8 lb rebond without a vapor barrier.
Good Luck,
Jim
thanks,great service for those who want help in picking out the right carpet
Hi Jim -
I'm looking for carpet at my office that is friendlier to computers and electronics. Is there a brand or supplier of carpet that has reduced static generation? I am looking for carpet that has static generation less than 1000 Volts by AATCC-134 testing, both Step and Scruff (instead of less than 3500 Volts, so people don't feel it). The method used for static control needs to be permanent, NOT treated that will wear away. I am aware of expensive specialized carpets and installations that can result in 10s of Volts of static. But I'm hoping we can get commercial carpet with permanent reduced static at little added cost.
Thanks -- Ken
Ken,
For your office you need to consult with your commercial specialist or architect.
Good luck,
Jim
I just got a carpet pad online. I'm not sure which side to face towards the hardwood floor. One side is soft pad, the other is sprayed with some substance and is taped down the middle. It is a little rougher. CAn you advise?
-Carpet Pad Novice
The pad you described is designed to keep the rug from moving. The soft rubbery side goes against the hardwood, while the "scratchy" side keeps the rug in place.
Good Luck,
Jim
Hello Carpetguru-
Have you ever installed carpet tile on top of carpet? We do not want to disturb what is underneath existing carpet - hazmat. Any comments on what to watch out for?
thank you very much
Carpet tile must be installed an a clean,smooth, level, HARD surface. Do not install over laminate floor, or engineered hardwood. Install on concrete only after you perform a moisture test.
Good lick,
Jim
Dear Carpetguru,
We're in the process of purchasing carpet for our family room, a heavy traffic area. We have two little children and the carpet store suggested American Carpet Group's Winner (35oz) carpet or a Resista Soft Style carpet. Do you have any advice on these two carpet manufacturers, specific carpets or others to recommend? Thanks in advance!
Julie
Since a family room is likely the highest traffic area in your home, and you have pets and kids, 35 ounce polyester may be insufficient for long wear.
Under 40 ounces I would suggest a nylon or treixta product. If you want a two tone or tweed, you can use a PET polyester if the face weight is enough. In this field I like a carpet from the Bliss line called "Kindred".
In the solid color carpets, I like Horizon's " AtlanticShores", a super long wearing Triexta carpet.
Hope this helps,
Jim
Hi Jim! I just found your site, and I am sooo grateful for all the information! We are looking to replace carpet on a set of stairs, a small hallway, and three bedrooms. Two of the bedrooms currently have hardwood. We like the Angora Healthy Home by Bliss, but I've noticed that it is 100% PET Filament Polyester. The weight is 60oz., and the backing is some sort of soft material, not the scratchy hard backing on all the other samples. Do you think this will be too soft to use on the stairs? Any other thoughts?
Tanya,
You PET carpet may be great everywhere except the stairs. 60 ounces could result in too thick a carpet for stairs. The pile could begin to show crushing on the stairs quicker than lighter weight, thinner carpets.
If this carpet comes in a "good" better best" type of configuration, perhaps the "better" in the series would better suit your needs.
Good Luck,
Jim
I am looking at Shaw's Tigressa line, specifically a berber with the following specs, wonder what your opinion is:
yarn twist: 6
spi: 10.7
face weight: 27
Scott,
The carpet you selected is a private label line and I am not familiar with it. If the par rating it over 3.5, you should be happy with the carpet. If there is a pattern match, make sure your installer is talented.
Good Luck,
Jim
I need to replace the carpet in a basement bedroom and an upstairs den/guest bedroom. The basement bedroom is for a teenage boy and the upstairs room will be primarily for my use as an office/craft room, but my one year old twins will probably play on the floor some. I am looking for something with as few VOCs as possible and few toxins/chemicals as possible since the girls will be on the floor. I believe I want a plush (grey)upstairs, which will match the other upstairs bedrooms carpet styles. I was thinking about a berber glued straight to the concrete for the basement bedroom. There are occasional (3 times in 25 years) flooding issues. A Shaw plush was recommended at the carpeting store I went to yesterday. It is called All Star Weekend III (the best of the three qualities it's available in). It's 100% BCF Cleartouch PET Polyester with a face weight of 31.2, thickness of .63, ply twist of 5, gauge of 5/32, and durability rating of 3.00. It has R2X and topical static control. They would install it with a 1/2 inch 8lb rebond pad. For a 12x10 room it would be 299.38 for carpet, pad, installation, and tax. It has warranties from 10-20 years, but I have read some questionable things about Shaw's warranties. I am looking for the safest carpet for kids healthwise that is budget friendly and reasonably durable. Would this be a good choice? Do you have any suggestions?
Jim,
Well we've finally narrowed down our choices to Smart Color (40oz) or Brilliant Design (52oz), both by Mohawk Horizon made with Sorona Smartstrand. Regarding the pad, the dealer recommended a 6lb pad, but the Mohawk Guardian Cushion is on sale, and would end up costing us less than $100 more. We are carpetting a set of stairs, small hallway, and 3bedrooms. Would you recommend the Guardian pad in our case? It has some sort of moisture barrier, and I'm not sure how you would feel about that. Two of the bedrooms currently have hardwood floors, so the moisture barrier appeals to me in theory, but only if it is beneficial.
Mandy,
There is no carpet that is totally free of VOCs. The average carpet and pad will leave some odors for about 48 hours provided there is plenty of ventilation. The plush carpet are looking at should do well for the upstairs, however, to keep the VOCs lower, use a spun nylon fiber pad. This is firmer than the rebond, but will work better for chairs with rollers, and general heavy use. For luxury you could use Shaw's triple touch froth foam pad with extremely little VOCs.
For the basement I would use commercial carpet tile if you can find them. They will survive a flood, not require smelly glue, and if you damage one, you can replace it easily.
Good Luck,
Jim
Tanya,
You have chosen wisely. The Smartstrand will serve you well. The pad is only beneficial due to the fact that it doubles your Smartstrand warranty and eliminates prorating of your warranty.
Good Luck,
Jim
Great site! We are purchasing new carpet and trying to follow your pad advice. Carpet choice is a shaw Rimini for upstairs residential. Dealer offers a nubond low voc pad, a healthier choice pad by shaw or a whipped foam distributed by hickory springs. Any recommendations on what would be best?
Use the Shaw pad if you wish to double your Shaw warranty on your new
Shaw carpet.
Good Luck,
Jim
Hello Jim
Help!! What type, brand, pad would you recommend for a living room (13' 6" X 17' 8") and master bedroom (12' 9" X 12' 6')in a small house where the main occupant uses a power wheel chair.
The combined weight of person and chair is approximately 400 pounds.
I have visited a couple carpet stores and the sales people immeditely recommended commerical Berber. I have been told since that is a loop carpet that it may not work well with the power wheel chair.
Thanking you in advance for your time and assistance.
Cecil,
We just recently finished a whole house were both occupants where in motorized wheelchairs. After we removed the old carpet and pad, we directly glued down a commercial 1/10 gauge, 26 ounce, solution dyed nylon carpet. This is the same carpet we install in schools and churches. When this carpet is glued directly to the floor, the tuft bind becomes so strong that the fiber is undisturbed by the large tires from the motorized wheelchair.
This is the only carpet solution I would use in your situation. If this does not seem "cozy" , perhaps you should think about laminate flooring spotted with an occasional area rug.
Good Luck,
Jim
Jim,
Thank you for the suggestion. I know have an idea of what to look for and ask about.
I had read about and thought about having the carpet glued but did not understand that it could be done without using a pad. Thanks.
One other question, with the power wheel chair, should I go with a loop or plush style carpet?
Again, thanks for your assistance and thank you for the help you have provided everyone through the years.
First of all...what a great site to learn about carpets and padding!
My question is for our family room: The approximate dimensions of our family room is 14x18 and we are thinking about getting the Smartstrand Sorona Triexta carpeting in this room. This room is our main room as we mainly sit, play, and do most of our activities in this room. It's just my wife and I and our two kids (5&3). The carpet we are thinking about will be the Smartstrand "Organic Luxury" as we liked the sample we came home with. Here are the following specs:
plywood sub-flooring
Smartstrand Sorona Triexta BCF
58.8 ozs, total weight 96.53 ozs
5.50 x 5.50 twist
.721 pile height
Stitches per inch: 8.00
Density: 2936
gauge: 1/10
textured cut pile
8 lb Mohawk Smart Cushion
288 ft needed (3 sections)
What is your overall take with the specs provided for overall durability/wearability?
If we like this carpet then we are thinking about using it to replace the other carpeting in the house. Would you also use this same carpet & pad for the whole house (stairs and upstairs bedroom)? It would all be with plywood sub-flooring.
Thank you in advance for all your help!
Cecil,
A tenth gauge commercial loop , in a nylon is best. Twenty six ounces of face weight, and solution dyed is even better.
Jim
John, Kathryn, Sara & Colton,
You have chosen wisely. This particular Smartstrand carpet is among the best of the carpets Mohawk makes. Go for it.
Good luck,
Jim
BTW. Thank you for your kind words.
we are about to remodel our basement. right now we have a commercial grade carpet that is glued down. after our second summer in our new construction home, we discovered mildew on the legs of our furniture. we now use dehumidifiers. what should we consider before choosing new carpet for our basement.
Thank you!
Find out why there is excess moisture in the basement. Could be a drainage problem.
After you cure the moisture problem, you may return to any carpet you wish that is made with a man made fiber. Install over a pad that does NOT have a moisture barrier.
Good Luck
Jim
Jim
Thank you for your knowledge and information. From our shopping, we are probably going to go with:
Mohawk, New Basic II, 1/10, 28 , solution dyed nylon and will have it glue down for the power wheel chair. Been to three stores and in one of them, the sales person actually stated that a glue down commerial loop would be one of our better choices. Thank you for your help.
Cecil,
Glad it worked out for you. You have chosen wisely.
Good Luck,
Jim
What is your opinion on the carpet produced by the Aladdin division of Mohawk? We are looking at a smart strand carpet from Aladdin called Miami Shores. I do not believe it is in the Sonora line. Do you know of any info on this type of carpet and what is the diffrence in the Sonora, non-Sonora line of smartstrand carpets.
Thank You
Bob
Bob,
With the non "Sorona" line of Triexta fiber you get the same super stain resistance, the same outstanding wear characteristics, but you do not get the super soft feel of Sorona. So if soft is super important to you, then you will have to buy the Sorona type from the Horizon, Karastan, or Mohawk Color Center line. Its similar to the soft nylon vs non soft nylon.
Good Luck,
Jim
Hello,
I have a question for a carpet layer. I am about to begin a new job. I have two connecting rooms. They both have the same wood floor. In one of the rooms I plan to remove the wood floor and install a slate floor. I will install the necessary layers of materials to raise the floor to the best height. The other room I will install a good quality carpet with a 1/2" pad on top of the wood floor that is there now.. I can adjust the new slate floor to any height. What would be the ideal height for the new slate floor to best meet the carpet and 1/2" pad that I plan to install on the wood flooring in the adjoining room. I want to go directly from the carpet to the slate without any other transition and I want it to be as smooth as possible. Thanks for any help in advance.
Hi,
I have a question/problem. When the carpet I had ordered was delivered, it was brought into the house in large rolls for each of the 5 rooms it was going into. The first day they only got as far as unrolling the carpet in 3 bedrooms, started cutting in a the fourth bedroom and had not unrolled it yet in the family room.
I compared the original sample that I had ordered from and noticed that the color was slightly off but more importantly, the texture, thickness and density were very different.
The first thing in the morning I called the owner of the company and told him he needed to come out before they did any more work as it was not the right carpet. He came out, insisted it was that the dye lot was slightly off but was acceptable and the carpet needed moisture and time to " bloom " to be like the sample. I said no it was very different. He got a district manager who came in the afternoon and said that it was the same but they would send a piece of the carpet and sample away for testing. I have no idea where they sent the pieces for testing but want to know if there is someplace I can send pieces to make sure it is a fair test and not one done by the company that made it. No one I have shown the two samples to have thought they were the same in any way. We paid for half the carpeting by check and the rest is unpaid. I don't want the cheaper carpet. Have you any suggestions?
Thank you for your input. I really don't know where to turn.
Where the slate and the new carpet meet, the slate should be 1/2 inch higher or 5/8 inch for thick plush carpets. The slate should be free of any grout at the junction, and the edge should be straight and even.
The carpet installer will run the pad to within 1 inch of the slate. Then he will roll the carpet and fasten it to the floor with small staples.
Good Luck,
Jim
In some cases carpet does need to "bloom" in order to appear like a sample that has been tossed around in a dealer's showroom. Moisture and temperature have an effect on how carpet feels and looks. If you took a damp cloth and placed it over a scrap of your new carpet, and then took a steam iron to "steam" the surface of the carpet, you will see a big difference between the scrap of carpet and another scrap of the same new carpet. It may even begin to look like your original store sample.
On the other hand, mill often makes carpets in three different weights. See our page at www.carpetguru.com/scam.html. It could be that the mill delivered the wrong weight of carpet. You should compare the information on the carpet wrapper to the information on your written invoice. If there was no wrapper, I would be suspicious.
You can hire an certified master carpet inspector to look at your evidence. He will charge you for the service, but he will be a good as any "testing" lab. His opinion will go a long way to help you win your small claims court case.
Good Luck,,
Jim
Jim,
Thanks so much for posting all this information online. But I do have a specific concern you might wish to comment on:
We have a vacation condo in Hawaii which is rented 9 or 10 months of the year. We use it just a few weeks, but are hoping to spend more time here. We are in need of new carpet, but due to the recession there are very few choices of suppliers; in fact, one local person (not a store) and Home Depot. We would really prefer to go with the local guy, but the only choice he has given us is a Hollytex nylon in very limited weaves and colors. The info on the back of the carpet says:
"Hollytex Ultimate Performance
Style: 5564 Navarro II
Pile: 100% Permasoft Plus BCF Nylon"
It also has the number "GLP7078"
Is this enough information for you to give me an opinion? I can also email photos if you give me an email address.
Thanks very much for your help.
Henry Chazankin
henryc@sonic.net
Henry,
Navaro II is an outstanding carpet, as it will not fade in the Hawaiian sun, will last years and years, and if installed properly, looks great. (must be pattern matched). If you have pets, this carpet is perfect, as you can be aggressive with you chemicals used in cleaning the carpet, even a 5% solution of bleach. You have chosen wisely.
Good Luck,
Jim
Dave-
I am choosing between three carpets for our walk-out basement that will be used frequently by our three boys (4,7, &10)! Two are nylon carpets...Shaw Luxurious Living Anso Caress BCF Nylon with R2X (five star), a Stainmaster Ultra Life Luxerell BCF Nylon (Designed Perfection from Carpet One). The third is a Smartstrand... Karastan's 65 oz. Salento/Speranza. All are frieze's but the Shaw is clearly the thickest (& most expensive!). We are hoping the carpet will wear well for 10 years and have good stain protection (we have a elderly cat who vomits but doesn't have accidents). I would love your opinion on which would meet our needs the best. Thank you so much for making me an infomed consumer!
K
K,
The two carpets will both serve your needs, however, the Smartstrand will be easier to keep clean. It is as close to stainproof as one can buy. This and all carpets require regular professional cleaning. I have the super soft Smartstrand in my home in white, and we love it.
Good Luck
Jim
Thank you Jim! It is good to have verification from someone who has Smartstrand. It was the first choice of my boys because it was so soft. The carpet is going over concrete in the basement. One dealer recommends a slab rubber and the other a 8lb. Kerastep pad. Both come with the moisture barrier. Neither understands when I ask about frothed foam pads. If we are expecting to get 10 years from the carpet and want a softer feel for the boys who wrestle, what is the best choice for over concrete? I've read the blog and sometimes you mention that a frothed pad is over kill? We have not had moisture problems in the 10 years we have been in the house. Thanks again!!!
K
K,
Any pad with a moisture barrier may not be the best for your over concrete install. Concrete sends off water vapor throughout its entire life. The froth foam has two vapor barriers, and is NOT the pad for you. I like any quality 8 lb rebond made from memory foam. Also, a quality 100 ounce slab rubber is a great choice; its just more expensive, and if you are only going to be in the home ten years, then the slab rubber is more pad than you need.
Good Luck,
Jim
I will be replacing all the baseboards in my home. I already have them primed and painted. For tile, I know the baseboards are best installed after the porcelain tile is installed.
For new carpet, should I let them install the carpet with the old baseboards in place, or install the new baseboards and then install the carpet???
The old baseboards should be removed before the carpet is installed. The installer may have to tear out the old tack strip and replace with new tack strip that is set a little closer to the wall. It is the call of the installer.
New baseboards should then be installed, but not smashed down on top of the carpet. Leave a gap the thickness of a piece of formica between the bottom of the baseboard and the top of the carpet pile.
Good Luck,
Jim
I'm looking at two types of carpet brands, Resista (soft Style, Soft and Safe Premium, and Extra Efforts Premium) and Tigressa (Senta Plus, or Sky Premier). Do you know what has the better warranty and will hold up in the long run. We have two children under two and one dog. i have always cleaned my carpets about every 18 months plus use my kirby between. We are getting the Tigressa premium 9 lb pad. We were told the warranty is for stains and wear from high traffic stains. Do you know if both do the percentage after the years pass like the tires??? Thank you
Sybil,
I suspect you are shopping at a Carpet One franchise. The names Resista, and Tigress are private label names, and do not compute with me as to who makes these carpets. I would suspect that the Tigressa is a type of nylon from Shaw carpet mills, and, being nylon should hold up well. If you put this carpet over Shaw's triple touch froth foam pad (either 8 lb or 10 lb density, as they don't make a 9 lb pad), then your warranty would not be prorated. Any other combo would result in the warranty being prorated. The warranty only applies if the seams are sealed, and the carpet installed in accordance with CR-105.
Good Luck,
Jim
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