How to Choose the Best Carpet for Your Home

Your Carpet Journey

Before you shop for new carpet, set your expectations. There are a variety of carpets for every household and occasion. Here are some questions to determine what carpet makes the most sense for your home:

• What type of carpet do you need? Do you need something that can handle your active family or even your pets? And where will this carpet be located? Once you have identified your basic needs, it will be easier to narrow down a carpet in the right style and color to reflect your tastes.
• Do you have a style and color in mind? Whether you're looking for the latest carpet colors and patterns or a timeless classic, it's important to know what look you're going for. This will make it easier to navigate through our hundreds of styles and colors.
• What about carpet cushion? The right carpet cushion improves the comfort of your carpet and helps stop stains from reappearing for easier cleaning.
• When do you need your new carpet? Do you need it quickly or do you have time to spare?
• How much are you willing to spend? Just remember that your total budget should include the carpet, cushion and installation. You can use our Carpet Measurement Calculator to help you estimate your project.
• What about scheduling your installation? After you've picked your new carpet, Lowe’s can schedule the installation. A correct installation will ensure that your carpet will last. You can see what to expect during installation today by visiting the Lowe’s Carpet Installation page.
• How should I care for my new carpet? Whether your carpet needs to stand up to heavy or light foot traffic, proper care will allow its quality, look and feel to last for years to come. Plus, having your carpet professionally cleaned as outlined by your warranty will ensure that your carpet looks newer longer and will keep your warranty coverage valid. Check your STAINMASTER® limited warranty brochure to see what type of care is required.
• What about the warranty? Sometimes accidents happen. Make sure you understand your warranty and register your carpet to get the best coverage.

Are you ready to get a quote? If so, start by scheduling your in-home floor measurement today.

For more guidance, download our Carpet Buying Guide PDF.

Use our Flooring Visualizer to see how carpet options will look in a virtual room scene.

Lowe’s and STAINMASTER® Carpet

Lowe’s exclusively sells STAINMASTER Carpet to meet your home design needs. For over 30 years, STAINMASTER Carpets have been designed for the way you live because they're stain- and soil-resistant, quick and easy to clean, and durable for proven performance. In fact, STAINMASTER tests its carpets above industry standard to ensure that they can perform when it matters most. Today, STAINMASTER is not only the most recognized brand in carpet, but it's also the most trusted (Hall & Partners STAINMASTER brand tracker January – June 2020).

We know that there's a STAINMASTER Carpet for every household. From easy-to-clean carpet that’s perfect for families to extra-durable options that meet your pets’ needs, we have a stylish carpet just for you. You can find more information about the STAINMASTER Customer Satisfaction Guarantee here.

STAINMASTER® PetProtect® carpet

STAINMASTER® PetProtect® carpet, made with exceptionally durable fibers, is designed so that no room is off limits. Family, friends and trusted sidekicks are free to enjoy life as it happens. This is because it:

• Resists the most difficult pet stains
• Has unsurpassed durability
• Easily releases pet hair when vacuumed
• Reduces pet odors when paired with a STAINMASTER® Carpet Cushion after being thoroughly cleaned
• Costs $1 to $5 per square foot

Carpet Samples

Once you've narrowed down your carpet list, you can order carpet samples from Lowes.com to see how any of our carpets will look in your space.

Carpet Construction

Refer to this chart on the different types of carpet and the benefits of each.

Carpet Terms

As you're looking for your perfect carpet, it's important to understand the following carpet terms:

• Fiber: It's the carpet material itself. Single fibers are spun together to create two-, three- or four-ply yarn, which is then attached to a woven backing.
• Pile: Pile refers to the height of the fiber and is also referred to as face or nap.
• Density: It's the measure of how closely packed the strands of fiber are to one another. The higher the density, the stronger the carpet.
• Face Weight: Face weight refers to the amount of fiber on the surface of the carpet. In general, a higher face weight in your carpet means that it will be more comfortable and durable.
• Texture: It comes from the style in which fibers are looped, twisted or cut. This determines the look and feel of the carpet and plays a large role in its durability.
• Twist: Twist refers to the number of times fibers turn in a 1-inch length. Higher twist counts are typically more resilient and better resist traffic and crushing.
• PAR Rating: It's a 1 to 5 rating scale for performance, appearance and retention; the higher the number, the more easily it retains its appearance.

Types of Carpets

Most of the carpet produced in the United States contains one of the four primary residential carpet fibers: nylon, triexta, polyester, and polypropylene or olefin.

• Nylon is one of the most common carpet materials. It's an extremely durable fiber, making it an excellent choice for heavy-traffic areas as well as easy to clean and maintain.
• Triexta is a newer carpet yarn noted for its durability and stain resistance.
• Polyester is not as durable as nylon, but it is stain-resistant.
• Olefin, or polypropylene, was originally designed for outdoor carpeting and basements due to its resistance to moisture and mildew.

Carpet Cushions

Although it's not visible in your home, carpet cushion is critical to the performance of your carpet. The right carpet cushion improves the comfort of your carpet and helps stop stains from reappearing for easier cleaning. Plus, the proper backing cushions the foot, insulates from cold and noise, and increases the life of the carpet.

STAINMASTER Carpet Cushion at Lowe’s features a proprietary breathable moisture barrier that helps inhibit the growth of mold and mildew when paired with a STAINMASTER Carpet. Also, when paired with STAINMASTER PetProtect® carpet, it helps reduce pet odors after thorough cleaning. A Lowe’s flooring specialist can assist you with picking out the right cushion to match your flooring needs. The cost of STAINMASTER Carpet Cushion is approximately $1 per square foot.

Carpet Installation

After you've researched, sampled and selected the best carpet for your space, it’s time to measure your floors and get a quote. For more information on what to expect on installation day as well as how you can prepare for your new carpet’s arrival, see our Carpet Installation page.

Carpet Tile

Glue-down or peel-and-stick carpet tile is a good DIY flooring option. The adhesive system keeps the carpet in place and eliminates curling. And, since the tile is all-in-one, a separate carpet padding purchase isn't necessary. Carpet tile costs typically range between $1 and $3 per square foot.

Carpet Care

Whether your carpet needs to stand up to heavy or very light foot traffic, proper care will allow its quality, look and feel to last for years to come. Follow these simple steps to help maintain the beauty, warranty and life of your carpet:

• Vacuum frequently.
• Clean spills promptly.
• Rearrange furniture occasionally.

Don’t forget that specific cleaning requirements are essential to maintain your warranty. Please refer to your STAINMASTER Carpet limited warranty for more details, which can be found here.

Find out the tools and techniques that are needed to properly spot clean and deep-clean your carpet.

Warranty

Make sure to register your carpet right after it's installed so you can have total peace of mind. Plus, you'll get helpful emails such as cleaning tips and your first professional cleaning reminder. As always, please refer to your STAINMASTER limited warranty brochure for more details or connect with a Lowe’s flooring specialist.

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