The floor is one of the largest areas of the home, so choosing the right carpet is vital. With an endless range of styles, colours, and fabrics - from plush wool and fur to popular synthetic material such as nylon and polyester, there are plenty of decisions to be made.

Visual appeal should not be the only consideration when purchasing carpet for a home, or carpets for heavy-duty applications such as commercial carpet tiles - also consider warmth, feel underfoot and even the benefits of acoustic carpet. And while some may balk at carpet flooring in a garage, garage carpets or garage carpet tiles can actually have significant benefits – from adding insulation and warmth, preventing painful falls, and enabling a more comfortable multipurpose use of the space.

Synthetic, wool or solution-dyed nylon – which types of carpet are best?

Anyone who has ever stood on a wool carpet – or even a wool carpet sample – will agree that nothing can quite compare to the luxurious feel of genuine wool underfoot and it makes for an amazing bedroom carpet, however, synthetic carpets like Olefin, which is incredibly moisture resistant, and polyester, known for its stain-resistant properties are both great options for homes with children or pets.

What is the most durable carpet?

For an ultra-durable option, sisal carpets set the benchmark and are often found in the most heavily trafficked areas of a busy home. When it comes to carpet choices though, nylon is an ever-popular floor carpet, given its strength, resistance to stains and long-lasting durability, all for a reasonable price.

What should I consider when buying carpet or carpet tiles?

There are two main types of carpet, loop pile and cut pile. Cut pile carpets are produced by cutting the yarn loops, resulting in an upright pile. Loop piles, as the name suggests, are not sheared, with the loops providing a more textured feel and opportunity for a range of patterns. Most loop pile carpets in New Zealand are woollen, so may not ideal for homes with pets.

Also, consider the surrounding décor of the room or home that is being carpeted, a busy patterned carpet will not work so well as a living room carpet if it is an aesthetically busy environment, so if the space includes a range of detailed furniture, art, throws and ornaments, a mono-coloured carpet may be best suited.

Carpet prices will always be a consideration, but carpet will wisely be viewed as an investment that can add value to the home and one which needs to suit the use and décor as well as the desired durability and functionality. 

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