Does all carpet flooring have the same level of durability?

Just as you would find different qualities in clothing or furniture, you will see grades of carpeting.

First, look at your own needs

Do you have a large family with kids and pets? A lot of foot traffic? How do you plan to use the room in which it's to be installed?

Needs are highly individual, and what's suitable for your neighbor may not be right for you. So keep your eye on your floor covering needs.

How to compare

It's vital to compare rugs of the same quality. Otherwise, the results will be skewed.

For example, looped carpets are generally stronger than cut piles. If, however, you compare a higher-quality cut pile with a low-quality looped rug, the cut pile will come out stronger.

Terms you should know

Weight. You might think heavier carpeting is more durable. This isn’t the only thing deciding quality, however.

Density: This refers to how closely together the fibers are tufted. Density numbers are on every label.

A good number ranges from 3000 to 5,000. Higher numbers are better.

Twist: This refers to the number of times a fiber is turned per inch. A good number is four to eight.

Consider fiber and style also

Fiber: Know the pros and cons of each. Nylon, polyester, triexta, olefin (polypropylene), and wool are the most common.

Style: Don’t get swayed in the carpet store. There are three basic styles: looped, cut-pile, and cut and loop. They all have various fiber heights, features, and textures.