Should You Choose Carpet Flooring?
Carpet is the softest, warmest flooring option: comfortable underfoot, excellent sound dampening, and affordable at $2-8 per square foot. Perfect for bedrooms and living rooms. But it stains easily, harbors allergens, and requires regular professional cleaning. Learn about fiber types and whether carpet fits your lifestyle.
Quick Summary
Material cost
$2-8/sq ft
Lifespan
7-15 years
Best for
Bedrooms, living rooms
Carpet Fiber Types
Nylon
Best ChoiceMost popular and durable carpet fiber. Excellent resilience and wear resistance.
Pros
- • Most durable fiber (10-15 year lifespan)
- • Resists crushing and matting
- • Bounces back from furniture indents
- • Can be dyed vibrant colors
Cons
- • More expensive ($4-8/sq ft)
- • Can stain if not treated
- • Shows soil in light colors
Best for: All rooms, high-traffic areas, stairs, homes with kids/pets
Polyester
Budget OptionSoft, affordable fiber. Natural stain resistance. Good for bedrooms on a budget.
Pros
- • Less expensive ($2-5/sq ft)
- • Naturally stain-resistant
- • Very soft feel
- • Good color retention
Cons
- • Mats down easier (5-10 years)
- • Less resilient than nylon
- • Shows traffic patterns
- • Not for high-traffic areas
Best for: Bedrooms, guest rooms, low-traffic areas, budget projects
Wool
LuxuryNatural fiber. Luxuriously soft and durable. Most expensive option.
Pros
- • Most luxurious feel
- • Natural and sustainable
- • Naturally flame-resistant
- • Excellent resilience
Cons
- • Very expensive ($7-15/sq ft)
- • Stains easily without treatment
- • Requires professional cleaning
- • Can fade in sunlight
Best for: Luxury homes, master bedrooms, formal living rooms
Pros & Cons of Carpet
Advantages
- ✓Soft & comfortable: Warm and cushioned underfoot
- ✓Sound dampening: Reduces noise between floors
- ✓Affordable: Budget-friendly compared to hardwood
- ✓Warmer: Insulates better than hard surfaces
- ✓Hides imperfections: Covers subfloor flaws
- ✓Safer for falls: Cushions impact for kids/elderly
Disadvantages
- ✗Stains easily: Spills, pets, dirt show permanently
- ✗Harbors allergens: Traps dust, pollen, pet dander
- ✗Not waterproof: Absorbs spills and moisture
- ✗Shorter lifespan: Replace every 7-15 years
- ✗Requires cleaning: Vacuum weekly, professional yearly
- ✗Shows wear patterns: Traffic paths become visible
Padding Matters Just as Much
Quality padding extends carpet life, improves comfort, and provides better sound insulation. Never skip or cheap out on padding.
Padding Guidelines:
- •Thickness: 7/16 to 1/2 inch is ideal. Thicker isn't better (causes excessive flexing)
- •Density: 6-8 pounds per cubic foot for residential. Higher density = longer life
- •Material: Rebond (recycled foam) is budget. Memory foam is premium and comfortable
- •Cost: Budget $0.50-1.50/sq ft for quality padding
Total Cost Breakdown
Maintenance Requirements
Weekly
Vacuum thoroughly with beater bar to lift dirt from fibers. High-traffic areas need vacuuming 2-3x per week.
Immediately
Blot spills immediately (don't rub). Use carpet cleaner for stains. Longer stains sit, more permanent they become.
Annually
Professional deep cleaning (hot water extraction/steam cleaning). Costs $0.30-0.50/sq ft. Extends carpet life significantly.
Is Carpet Right for Your Home?
Choose Carpet If:
- • Installing in bedrooms or living rooms
- • You want soft, warm flooring underfoot
- • Sound dampening is important (upstairs rooms)
- • Budget is tight ($5-10/sq ft installed)
- • You don't have allergies or asthma
- • You're willing to vacuum weekly and professionally clean yearly
Avoid Carpet If:
- • Installing in kitchens, bathrooms, or entryways
- • You have pets that shed heavily or have accidents
- • Anyone in home has allergies or asthma
- • You prefer low-maintenance flooring
- • You spill frequently (kids, messy household)
- • You want flooring that lasts 20+ years
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best carpet fiber for bedrooms?
Nylon is the best all-around carpet fiber for bedrooms. It's durable, resilient, and resists crushing. For luxury feel, choose wool (expensive but natural and soft). Polyester is budget-friendly and stain-resistant but mats down faster. Avoid olefin/polypropylene in bedrooms - it's only suitable for low-traffic areas.
How long does carpet last?
Quality carpet lasts 7-15 years depending on fiber type, padding quality, and traffic level. Nylon lasts longest (10-15 years). Polyester lasts 5-10 years. Professional carpet cleaning every 12-18 months extends lifespan. High-traffic areas wear out faster. Unlike hardwood, carpet cannot be refinished and must be fully replaced when worn.
Ready for the Next Step?
Now that you've compared all flooring types, order samples of your top choices to see them in your actual lighting before making a final decision.