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More Carpet Q & A
DIY Carpet Question?
Q. I am having trouble choosing from ALL the different suggestions for carpet for my 600 sq. Ft. basement. It is a dry basement except for one drain on the floor near the washer that spills out a little, this area is not going to be carpeted though.
We have no kids and only 2 cats that rarely go down there. I had actually found a great Berber carpet through a manufacturer on EBay for $7 sq./yd, but after reading these questions was scared away from both EBay and Berber.
This is an entertaining basement with a built-in bar, pool table and entertainment area. Can you simplify my search to 1 or 2 specific budget friendly recommendations? Is it crazy to try and install it ourselves?
Answer:
Yes, it would not be wise to try to install carpet yourself if you want it to look nice and last as long as possible. There are too many things that can go wrong, not to mention how your back will feel the next day. If your basement is dry you can select any style you wish, I would suggest you consider a commercial grade Level Loop style as they are inexpensive, can be installed with or without padding, easy to clean and last a long time. If you want something more plush and want to save money then consider go with an apartment grade nylon, plush or textured style. You could go this route and only spend about $15-20 per yard total - carpet, pad and installation. (if you buy from the right carpet store)
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Kanga Backed Carpet?
Hello Alan, I have enjoyed reading all questions and your answers on your web page. My daughter is putting Kanga backed carpet in her basement at $20 per yard including installation. You have not mentioned Kanga in any of your answers. Can you tell me your opinion of it. It claims all sorts of good things which you say most should not claim re mildew, odor etc.
Answer:
Kanga is a brand name for a polyurethane foam pad attached to the back of certain carpet styles. It is designed to be glued down to the floor for permanent applications or at least taped down for DIYer's who want a temporary flooring. It does have anti microbial / mildew properties and is a good choice for concrete basements with the fear of moisture. They use Kanga back carpets frequently in manufactured homes because it is inexpensive and easy to install.
From my experience, these carpets are usually a lower-end product with a life span of 5 to 10 years. The padding may break down first in the main walkways and stains and spills will be difficult to get out. In comparison, spending $12 per yard for nylon plush style carpet and $8 per yard for Rebond padding and installation would typically last 7 to 12 years if cared for.
Berber Carpet Choice?
I just bought a brand new house and I am doing quite a few upgrades. I was wondering should I upgrade my carpet to Berber? Which is about another $3000. Is it worth it or should I just go with what the contractor going to install? Is Berber carpet last longer than any other carpet? The only carpet area I have is upstairs, in mostly the bedrooms and stair.
There will only be 2 people living there and we tend not to make a lot of mess, but I do have quite a few guest over throughout the year. In addition, I have a dog (lab) but I am going to try not to let her go upstairs. I appreciate for any suggestion you can recommend.
Answer:
When you have a new house built the builder always gives you the option of upgrading the carpet. Unfortunately the builder always gets a sizeable kickback from the flooring dealer for whatever upgrades you choose. That means you end up paying way too much for the skimpy upgrade you end up with. My advice is to go with the basic builder grade carpet and skip doing the upgrade for a couple of years. Then you'll have time to save up a few more dollars to be able to buy the carpet you really want from a reputable carpet dealer.
Felt Pad for Basement?
I just purchased a Berber by Mohawk a tight loop. I am installing this on a concrete floor and the salesman said that a 40 oz felt pad would be good (I don't know how this translates into the weights you gave for cubic feet) He mentioned it was a 1/2 inch but shouldn't be a problem. (I had read your site about 3/8 max for Berber) He said that the density of felt versus the thickness of Rebond would not damage the carpet Do you agree? It is not being installed for another 2 weeks so I have time to change my mind. BTW the salesman was very nice no pressure at all it was my idea to go for a "softer "feel.
Answer:
Felt pad would work fine, but has no sponginess at all. Felt pad is also known as wool pad and can be quite costly. A 1/4 to 3/8 inch, 8 pound, Rebond pad would be less expensive and provide a little "give" underfoot. Either pad would be acceptable but dollar for dollar Rebond padding is what I would choose. If you have any moisture problems in your basement whatsoever, then I would choose a synthetic fiber pad instead. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's padding requirements to ensure your warranty won't be compromised. I suggest you do a moisture test to make sure you don't have any hidden moisture problems.
Can I Buy Carpet Wholesale?
I am thinking about buying our carpet thru one of the many carpet mills located in Georgia at wholesale prices. What is you personal opinion on this. Is this a smart thing to do?
Answer:
I never suggest buying carpet online or through an 800 number. There are just too many ways to get ripped off or make costly mistakes. If you live close to Georgia and want to make the trip to buy from a wholesale outlet store then do. Just be sure you know exactly how much carpet you need, and exactly what it is you want to buy before going.
Also, finding a qualified installer can be tricky. Be sure to check references and verify his license, bond and liability insurance if required in your state. Learn more about How to find a qualified carpet installer
What's The Best Cat-Resistant Carpet?
I'm so happy to find your website -- I need good advice! I'm in the process of buying a condo and just recently learned that the condo association requires that you keep wall-to-wall carpeting in the units.
I had planned on refinishing the parquet floors underneath, but will now have to replace the carpet instead. I have two cats, and I know from experience that they tend to scratch carpets and occasionally have accidents on them.
So, I'm trying to search for the most stain resistant and scratch resistant carpet I can find. The frieze style seems like a good bet because I've heard that cats prefer to scratch on plush carpets more. It also seems like a frieze, since it doesn't have loops, would be less likely to show the effects of scratching. Do you agree? What styles or brands would you recommend?
Answer:
A plush or frieze would be fine in your situation. Looped styles are magnets for cats to scratch on, and should be avoided. You could choose a nylon fiber more the best durability or you might consider going with Sorona, (Smartstrand by Mohawk) as they say it is the most stain resistant carpet fiber. Learn more about Carpet Fibers
Thicker padding?
I am building a new house and desire a 5/8-inch carpet pad. I know the drawbacks i.e. lady could put a high heel through, void the carpet warranty etc; however I really want this pad in a particular room. Where can I purchase this pad?
Answer:
You will need to buy this type of Rebond, foam or urethane padding either from a local pad distributor or a carpet supplies/sundries outlet. You might need to special order it because there is not much call for a padding of that thickness.
Berber Seam or Defective Carpet?
My question is, recently I had Berber carpet installed and it is a lighter color. I'm noticing in one area there is a definite seam line, visible in some spots and then again not visible in other spots. Of course right in the middle of the living room it is noticeable and not closer to the wall. I tried cleaning it but that doesn't help.
My friend said it is the carpet seam tape and to leave it alone or I'll loosen the seam. Is there any way to clean or get rid of this without damaging the carpet? It seems to be getting more noticeable as time goes by. The people who installed it also tried to get rid of it, but to no avail. What might be the secret?
Answer:
From what you have described in your e-mail, this sounds like a carpet color-shading problem. If you really want to have it fixed, you should make it clear to the carpet store owner/manager that you expect them to fix the problem, even if that means that they have to replace all the carpet in the affected areas.
Carpet shading problems are caused when the color dyes are unevenly applied to the carpet fibers and thus cause a color variance either from one side to the opposite side or from the front of the roll to the end of the roll of the carpet.
When this happens, carpet seams may be very noticeable. On each side of a seam, you may see two different shades, one lighter one darker. This color shading effect could also be caused if the installer turned the carpet the wrong way. Carpet has a definite direction and flow and this must be maintained throughout the installation process. If this is the case it is the installer's responsibility to fix it.
Assuming that it was installed correctly, carpet-shading problems are not uncommon and it is not a problem that you should be forced to accept and live with, unless you want to. The store may be willing to offer you a settlement in lieu of replacement if the carpet was purchased from their "in-stock" carpet.
Otherwise, if you ordered from a sample and the carpet was shipped directly from the carpet mill, then the carpet must be inspected by the carpet mill representative and then ultimately replaced by the manufacturer without any additional charge to you whatsoever. This process can take weeks to resolve so be patient. Stand your ground until you are completely satisfied. Let me know how this all turns out!
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Using Different Carpet Styles and Colors?
Should you use the same type and color of carpet throughout the whole house? For e.g. bedrooms, halls, etc?
Answer:
Using the same style or color throughout your home is a smart move if you plan to sell your home soon, otherwise, do what makes you happy!
You can use residential carpets or commercial carpets in any configuration you want. Thick or thin, patterns or single colors, it doesn't matter as long as you like it. You can even do borders or special designs if you can find a qualified installer who is willing to work with you.
What is Carpet Face-Weight?
I found your website very informative. We are looking to install frieze carpet. We have one small dog and an 18-month old daughter. We are confused by all of the different weights of carpet and pad. What weights would you recommend?
Answer:
Your question is very important and also a huge one. There is so much more to choosing the right carpet than just weight. What does weight mean? Face weight is the amount of fiber used to make the carpet pile. A higher face weight is more desirable because it can make the carpet last longer and is softer underfoot.
Pile Density is how thick the tufts are packed together. Higher density means the carpet will be more durable and obviously more costly. A standard pad density of 6 to 8 pounds is usually what is used in most homes. The pad you select depends on what carpet you select. There are many different types of padding for various applications.
Do I Need to Replace the Old Tack Strips?
I’m planning to hire an installer with over 10 years experience, a power-stretcher, licensed, bonded, and insured of course and am afraid to ask him whether he'd get a better job done if we were to pull up the present tack-less strips and put down new ones. I'm afraid he'll say the old ones are fine because it's a bother to install new ones - and I wouldn't know.
I plan to take up the old carpet and padding (yes, I've been told getting the staples out of the padding is an eon-long, backbreaking chore) myself so that I can afford frieze that I'd like.
Is it possible that the tack-less strips in a home that is 12 years old and lived in for only 5 - by a couple - are likely fine to reuse?
Answer:
Forget removing all those staples, you don't need to! Just be sure to remove all those small bits of pad stuck around and under the staples. Wear an old pair of tennis shoes and use your foot to kick, rub and scrape the pad bits loose while standing. You will never feel or notice those old staples when the new carpet is in.
As far as the tack-less strips, unless they have been exposed to moisture and the nails are rusty they will be just fine to reuse. Any installer that would say it is a bother to replace bad tack-less strips is just plain lazy, so don't be afraid to make your wishes and concerns known.
What Are Tackless Strips?
Tackless
strips (often called tack strip) are wooden strips with sharp pins that are
installed all around the perimeter of each room near to the walls. Tackless
strips are about 1" wide and 4 
feet
long. These tackless strips are what
hold your carpet to the floor and allow it to be stretched-in tightly to
prevent wrinkles. The sharp pins hold
the carpet tight because they are angled towards the wall. They are
nailed down to the floor. The carpet padding is butted up against the inner
side of the strips. The carpet goes over the pad and stretched over the top of
the tackless strips. Then the raw edge of the carpet is tucked into the wall
and floor crevice or underneath the wall molding for a nice finished look.
Next : Should I Buy Carpet From Lowe's or Home Depot?
