Anyone here know a lot about carpet installation?

[Rick Lee]

I've read there are huge differences in quality. And I've also heard it's all in the pad. It's time for new carpet here and I want to make sure we get it right. It's a real small area, maybe 550 sq/ft over two rooms. So we're willing to pay what it costs for good stuff. What to look for and what's a reasonable price?

[Bill Douglas]

I got new carpet last week. What really made the difference was getting the 11mm underlay. The grade was extra heavy duty which just has a bit more gusto than the regular domestic stuff. I choose wool (New Zealand - whole lota sheep) but synthetics are a much bigger seller.

Mine is a loop pile. All the synthetics seemed to be a cut pile and long which ends up leaving tracks through doorways. But it is luxurious looking.

5 bedrooms, two of which are big bedrooms, including smoothedge and laying, and it cost me NZD$4500 which is about USD$3800.

[sc_rufctr]

Laying carpet is one of the few things I "outsource".
Underlay is very important. The thicker and denser the better.

Also... It's a false economy to get cheap carpet.

[Bugsinrugs]

Unless you are willing to pay for wool( the best choice) stick with a nylon fibered carpet. A firm pad will promote longevity but will sacrifice softness. Animals and kids are the biggest detriment to a long carpet life. Shoe removal helps a lot. Do not over shampoo as water breaks down the adhesives that hold carpet together.

[Bugsinrugs]

In my area $30.00 per yard installed will get you a good product over pad, installed.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Good pad will make cheap carpet feel luxurious. You can also usually reuse the pad if you decide to replace the carpet years down the road. Most of the name brand middle priced carpet will be fine, in your situation you probably won't replace until it gets dated looking or in the event of a major stain. Even with kids the odds of my carpet getting physically worn out is low, much better chance of a big fruit juice spill.

[wdfifteen]

Choosing carpet is a huge decision with a lot of variables. What kind of use is it going to get? Are staining, spills, and pet accidents issues? Will there be areas of a lot of wear?
Nylon seems to be the best all-around for wear and stain resistance, but it doesn't have the color range of other synthetics. Without knowing any more about your situation, i would recommend a really dense nylon carpet and a good pad.

[Rick Lee]

No kids or pets. The rooms where we want new carpet are the master bedroom and living room. Both get a lot of traffic, but we take shoes off in the house and usually wear flip flops on the tile and barefoot on the carpet. I think I may have spilled some bourbon once, but otherwise very low risk of stains. Still, the current carpet looks pretty worn where we walk and rest our feet the most.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

Laying carpet is one of the few things I "outsource".
Underlay is very important. The thicker and denser the better.

Also... It's a false economy to get cheap carpet.

+1 on the cheap carpeting.