What Is the Best Type of Carpet for a Young Family?

We don't have it now, as we're in a rental, but I've always thought berber (sp?) was very resilient, and always said I'd get that again. Messes came up very well, and it withstood 2 large dogs very well!

the brand "StainMaster" has a 20 year warranty, and they replace it. Per their warranty 'rules' you need to clean the carpet about every 2 years with an 'extraction' type of cleaning etc. It is warrantied against things such as food and drinks and other things, etc.
My Aunty got the Stainmaster brand, and she spilled cranberry juice on it. It came out and did not stain, for example.

If you go to carpet dealers, you can see it or ask them for any other recommendations. And they can explain the warranties to you.

The cost per square feet, will probably vary, per State.

In-stock items are generally cheaper, versus brands/styles that have to be ordered.

What ALSO affects pricing, will be the 'installation costs' and labor per hour. For hardwood flooring, the installation costs are more. For example.
But hard flooring, such a "Pergo" is easy to clean. But installation costs, are more also.

We are going through this as well, Thinking of replacing the flooring in our family room etc. And this is what we found out.

Any company, will do a 'free' measurement of your home's area, and quotes. And/or bring samples to your Home, for free.
At least, that is what they do here where I live.
That way, THEN you will know what your area's/room's square footage is. And how much you have to buy.

Check out any local companies per their websites, and see if they offer 'free' home measurements. Because, price per square foot, will affect what you pay as well. AND in addition, the 'installation' costs and the labor costs. Which add up.

ALSO, every flooring/carpet dealer, has sales. Or, annual sales or sales during long-weekend Holidays (like President's Day), for example. So, time your purchase, for these times. Or have your dealer tell you WHEN the sales are, AND for what carpeting/flooring you are thinking of.
ALSO ask them for discounts, don't be shy about that.
OR, ask for "volume discounts' etc.

ANOTHER cost factor, is whether or not, you choose to purchase carpet padding, for under the carpet. There are 2 thicknesses. 1/2" and 3/4" for example. This also affects the feel of the carpet, depending on what your sub-flooring is.

all the best,
Susan

Cut pile berber. We have that throughout our house and it's wonderful! Very comfortable and ours has a great, slight freckled coloring to it that hides everything. Really, really like it. Ours is 12 years old and still looks great. We sit and play on ours all the time.

Hardwood isn't for everyone. I personally think it's cold and just want to throw a carpet on it anyway as most people do. I think you'll be really happy with new carpeting.

We have all textured berber carpet in our house. It was not my first choice, but my husband already had the house when we met. Now, 6 years into marriage with a 3 1/2 year old and a 1 year old, I love it! It is a dark tan with colored flects and is super easy to clean. I have a steam cleaner and a spot remover machine for big messes, but with little ones I use Woolite pet stain remover and haven't had any problems. It is very durable and pretty comfy when the're on the floor. My one year old had a major poopy blow out (like a 1 foot diameter) in the playroom a few months ago and now you wouldn't ever know it was there. I used the steam cleaner, then treated with vinegar and baking soda, dry and sweep up when dry. No stain no smell. Berber definitely suprised me! I agree with the previous post about padding...get the best you can find!

Whatever you decide, if you get carpeting, get the most expensive padding you can afford. Your carpet will last much longer and look better longer with thicker, denser padding. It really does make all the difference.

Personally, I don't like carpeting in bedrooms because they collect dust you can't get out.

I'm so glad you are doing a bit of research, especially since you have young children. Keep in mind some carpeting can give off toxic fumes. So you may want to do the job when it is warm enough to open windows for several days.

Here is a link to an interesting article on how to sidestep some of the the pitfalls of this: http://blog.gaiam.com/blog/6-ways-to-avoid-or-reduce-new-...

Can you go with a dark color? Spills will be less apparent that way.

D., check with the various carpet stores and ask for the ones that are used in doctors offices and in restruants. This is what we did for our family room and have carpet that looks 9 years later as good as the day we put it in.
My husband was in a wheelchair and this carpet was easy on him as well.

Dear D.,

I don't know how old your children are, but if they are still crawling, please be careful about replacing your carpets. New carpets can outgas hazardous chemicals into the air, like formaldehyde, etc. This is because some carpets use chemicals in the glue that holds the fabric to the backing. It is bad for children to breathe these chemicals. You may have to pay a little more, but make sure your new carpet is "green" and does not outgas.

Sincerely,

L. Kastrop

If you are willing to pay more, I agree with some of the others who suggested no carpet. Go for hardwood and throw rugs. It's easy to keep clean and you can throw the rugs in the washer and get new ones when they wear out.

I like throw rugs. You can throw them in a washer, shake them outside or spot wash them when you need to. And after they've been washed till they are falling apart you can throw them away and choose other colors if you want to.

Try to do more research before you get carpeting. They recently had an article in the Mercury News about how toxic carpet is. Not only does it typically hold 4xs it's weight in dust and dirt, if you get stainmaster or something treated for stains, it off gasses. That means it compromises the quality of air in your house for a long time and can be unhealthy for your family, especially babies crawling on it. Price wise, you can get hardwood for about 10-20% more than the cost of the carpet and it will last you a lot longer and also give more value to your home. If you ever have anyone in your home with allergies, hardwood will be so much better for them. If you end up deciding on carpet, go with wool. It's a natural fiber that will wear well and will not off gas in your home for years. Best of all would be a throw rug over wood that you can clean or wash that is natural.

Hardwood floors! Kidding!! When we lived in Arizona our house had tile. I ended up getting from Costco and indoor/outdoor area rug. It was soft (not a hard fiber) and it washed REALLY well. Not sure if that would be an option for you.