Carpet samples come covered in numbers and marketing names. Here is how to cut through it in five steps.
1. Start with the room
Who uses it, and how hard? A guest room and a playroom need very different carpet. Stairs and hallways take the most wear, so they deserve your toughest choice.
2. Pick the fiber
- Nylon: the most resilient. Best for high traffic and stairs.
- Polyester / PET: soft, colorfast and budget-friendly. Great for bedrooms.
- Triexta: soft with strong built-in stain resistance.
- Wool: natural and luxurious, at a higher price.
3. Pick the style
Textured and frieze styles hide footprints and wear. Plush looks formal but shows marks. Berber loops are tough but can snag on pet claws. See our carpet page for more on each.
4. Check the specs
Face weight (ounces per square yard) tells you how much fiber is on top. Density tells you how tightly it is packed, which matters more for wear. Do the bend test: fold the sample backward. If you can easily see the backing, it is less dense. Twist number tells you how tightly each fiber is wound; higher holds its shape longer.
5. Don't skip the pad
The pad affects comfort, sound and how long the carpet lasts. Many carpet manufacturers specify pad thickness and density for their warranty, so ask us which pad is right for the carpet you choose.