How to Determine Quality of Carpet

There are numerous things to consider when determining carpet quality including density, twist and pile height. Denser carpets last longer and feel more comfortable in bare feet. The denser and higher the pile, the more fiber the carpet is made with and increases the overall price. Basically, you get what you pay for with regard to carpet.

Midland Marble and Granite’s Flooring America provides the exact specifications including density, twist and pile height, whereas many stores do not. We are very up front with details regarding quality because we want you to get exactly what you need and be happy with your purchase years down the road.

Carpet density refers to how closely a carpet’s individual tufts are packed together. High density carpets tend to resist crushing and matting better; and they wear better than low density carpet. An effective way to determine density is to bend the carpet back and see if the backing shows through. A better quality, denser carpet will not show much backing. A lower cost, less dense carpet will show considerable more backing. Dig your fingers into the fibers to see how much backing you can feel. A dense carpet makes it difficult to feel the backing.

Carpet twist refers to how many times the fiber has been twisted before being heat set. The more tightly a fiber is twisted, the better quality the carpet. Look at the ends of a carpet’s twist to determine the quality. They should be tight and neat. Strands that are lose or flared open are an indication of lower quality carpet.

The pile height refers to how far the carpet extends above the backing. It is simply a measure of how tall the carpet is. While higher pile reflects higher quality, many people prefer to have a lower pile carpet on their stairs.

If you have any questions about carpet quality, ask your sales representative at one of Midland Marble and Granite’s Flooring America’s showrooms.