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5 tips and tricks for when you’re buying carpet

May 15, 2023

Your carpet is one of the most important elements in your home, but choosing the right one can be challenging. So many factors go into choosing the perfect piece – the colour, texture and even the style can be overwhelming when you’re trying to pick out your next flooring. Here are some tips and tricks that will help make your decision easier!

Decide on the right style

One of the first things to consider is what style of carpet you want. There are three main types of carpeting: cut pile, looped, and tufted.

  • Cut-pile carpets have a tight, dense weave that looks like individual tufts of yarn all woven together. They’re usually made out of nylon or polyester fibres (and sometimes wool), and they tend to be durable and luxurious in appearance. The downside is that they can be expensive; they also tend to show dirt easily so they might require more frequent cleaning than other kinds of carpets if you don’t want them looking dingy after only a few months’ use. 

On the other hand, they’re very soft and comfortable. They’re also easy to clean since you can vacuum them with a regular household vacuum cleaner. If you have pets or kids, cut pile carpets are a good option since they’re stain resistant and durable!

  • Looped-pile carpets are made of nylon, polyester or wool fibres and are woven in a looped pattern. They’re available in many different styles, colours and designs; they’re also very popular because they’re easy to clean since you can vacuum them with a regular household vacuum cleaner and they don’t show dirt easily so they might require less frequent cleaning than other kinds of carpets if you don’t want them looking dingy after only a few months’ use. The downside is that they can be expensive.
  • Tufted carpets are made from woven and knotted strands of yarn that are stitched together to form a pattern. They’re often made with acrylic fibres or cotton, which makes them durable and easy to clean since they can be vacuumed with a regular household vacuum cleaner and are also available in many different styles, colours and designs. The only drawback is that they tend to wear out fairly soon.

Choose the right padding

Padding is ultra important when it comes to carpets because it provides cushioning and support. A quality pad will also increase the lifespan of your carpets, so make sure to invest in a good one! There are many different types of padding out there, so do your research to find the best one for your needs.

Think about maintenance

Carpets require different levels of maintenance, depending on the materials they’re made of. If you don’t want to have to deal with too much upkeep, opt for a low-maintenance carpet like nylon or polyester. But if you’re willing to put in the work, wool carpets are definitely worth it.

Don’t miss out on a warranty

When you’re making such a big purchase, it’s always a good idea to get a warranty. That way, if anything goes wrong with your carpets, you’ll be covered. In this process, make sure you read through the fine print and understand what exactly is included in the warranty.

Try something eco-friendly

If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly option, try a carpet made out of recycled materials. Speak to the sales assistant to see if the store you’re shopping at carries any eco-friendly carpets and understand how much better this kind of furnishing is for your home and health.

Choose the perfect carpet to create the perfect space!

The important takeaway from all of this is that buying carpet is not a one-size fits all process. It can be daunting knowing where to start when there are so many options available, but once these tips have been implemented into your research process, finding the perfect flooring will become much easier than you ever thought possible!

Here at Online Carpet and Flooring, we offer a wide range of different carpets to choose from. We understand that everyone’s needs are different, which is why we make sure to stock a variety of options for our customers to choose from. Choose the perfect carpet today!

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What is the difference between cheap and expensive laminate?

You get what you pay for with laminate flooring, with cheaper ranges using core material and joints that will swell more aggressively if exposed to water during cleaning or from spills. The repeat pattern is also a good indication of quality, ie. our best range has a pattern repeat of 10sqm, where most ranges are 3sqm. This ensures your floor looks authentic.

Can vinyl planks be used in wet areas?

Yes they can.

Do I need to move my furniture?

This can be discussed at the time of measuring. We can assist with moving large furniture items, but will still require you to empty shelves, move smaller items and unmake beds etc.

What does the ‘weight’ of the carpet mean?

Carpet quality is measured in weight, or ‘oz’. Essentially, the heavier a carpet is, means the longer it will last you and the nicer it will feel underfoot. As well as quality increasing as weight increases, price also goes up.

Is Nylon, wool or polyester carpet best?

Each have their own strengths and weaknesses and we are happy to discuss this further with you, however Solution Dyed Nylon tends to be what we sell the most of.

What is the guarantee on the installation?

We provide a lifetime guarantee on the installation.

What is the process of getting new flooring?

If you have an idea of what you want, the next step is to book in for a measure. You will receive a written quote within 24 hours. Once you accept the quote, we will work with you to find a suitable installation date and will request a 50% deposit. Your flooring will then be ordered. Installation timing varies depending on your needs, layer and product availability. Install usually takes 1-2 days depending on the size of your property. The final payment is due on job completion.

Can I shop ‘online?’

Carpet and flooring is a big investment and it can look a lot different in real life to the photos you see online. You can do your research and book your appointment online and then sit back and let our experts come to your home for you to view samples.

Can laminate be used in wet areas?

Some of our laminate ranges can be used in wet areas such as bathrooms and laundries as they have joint sealing technology that will resist water for a long period of time.

How do I best clean my vinyl planks or laminate floor?

Laminate and vinyl floors are very easy to maintain and should only require vacuuming and mopping. However, you should never use a steam mop on either vinyl planks or laminate. Rubber backed items such as mats or bar stool feet should not be used on vinyl floors as these can cause discolouration.

What is tracking and shading?

Plush carpets will show slight depressions left behind from footprints. This is normal and will come out with your next vacuum. All solution dyed nylon carpets do this to some extent, but some more than others, so let us know if this is something you don’t like and we will point you towards the ranges that do it the least.

How long will new carpet last me?

Depending on the weight of your new carpet, and how it is looked after, most manufacturers say carpet should last for ten years.

Do you do repairs?

Our main service is supplying and installing new flooring, however if you have something you are stuck on we can likely steer you in the right direction.

Will I need my doors trimmed?

Sometimes you do need to trim the doors. We have a handyman who charges a very reasonable price, we recommend using him if your doors need to be trimmed.

What sort of carpet or flooring is suitable for me?

We need to establish what your needs are. Is this for your own home, for a rental or are you selling? The best way to do this is to call into our showroom or you can ring and talk to one of our experienced sales staff.