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Carpet Selection for Low-Traffic Applications

 

How to use my Carpet Quality Selection Charts:

Take a minute to view and understand what the following carpet specification charts mean. As you scroll down this page you will find the corresponding carpet fibers listed along with the matching color coded guide to your best carpet selection based on carpet specifications and how long you want your carpet to last. 

There are four carpet specification to consider: Fiber, Face-weight, Pile density and Tuft-twist. Once you decide on the carpet fiber you want, all you have to do is match it up with how long you want your carpet to last. It's really not hard, it just might take a few minutes to narrow down your choices. 

Here's an example: Let's say you want your carpet to last 5 to 7 years and you decide to choose a Nylon carpet. Just follow the yellow color-coding down to see what range the face-weight, pile density and tuft-twist should be. You can always choose a carpet with a higher specifications than shown, but you will be paying more for the carpet and it should last a bit longer if you do.

The example below shows that if you have Low Foot Traffic and want your Nylon Carpet to last 5 to 7 years...The chart will show you that you need to buy

1.  a Nylon Carpet, 

2.  with a minimum Face-Weight of 30 to 35 ounces, 

3.  and a Pile Density of 1800 to 2200 or more, 

4.  and a Tuft Twist of at least 5 to 5.5

You can always select a carpet with higher specifications if you wish, but these are the minimum specs I suggest for your traffic level and intended life span. So now all you have to do is choose the lifespan that you want and then select the Carpet Fiber Type you want (some cost more than others, read this) 

Once you know what grade of carpet you need, you can then start your search for the perfect carpet at a locally-owned carpet dealer. Click here to see the Preferred Carpet Dealers I recommend near you.

Example: 

1. Choose Your Carpet Fiber (Learn about Carpet Fibers)

Lowest cost.............................................. to the highest cost

Polyester/P.E.T.

Olefin (Polypropylene)

*Sorona (Smartstrand)

Nylon

2. Carpet Face-Weight (in ounces)

Lowest cost.....................................................to the highest cost

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

3. Pile-Density (Ounces per cubic yard) (W x 36 by pile height)

Lowest cost.........................................................to the highest cost

4. Tuft-Twist (twists Per inch of tuft) 

Lowest cost.........................................................to the highest cost

According To The Charts Above...

The Worst carpet you could buy would be a Polyester Carpet with a Face-Weight of 25 ounces, a Pile Density of 1600, and a Tuft Twist of 4.0. This low quality carpet would likely cost about $15 per yard (installed with pad) and would not last more than a year or two before matting down and looking bad.

The Best carpet you could buy would be a Nylon Carpet with a Face-Weight of 65, a Pile Density of 3000, and a Tuft Twist of 7.0. This high quality carpet would likely cost about a $40 per yard or more. This grade of Carpet has the capability to last 20 years or more. 

Ready? Scroll down to choose your desired carpet Lifespan and then choose the Fiber you want to see the recommended minimum specifications for Face weight, Pile density and Tuft Twist. 

The density suggested below apply to 100% Nylon Frieze Styles. Lower density ratings are acceptable due to the higher tuft twist.

5 to 7 years

Polyester/P.E.T.    Lifespan: 5 to 7 years Low Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Olefin /Polypropylene    Lifespan: 5 to 7 years Low Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Sorona (Smartstrand)    Lifespan: 5 to 7 years Low Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Nylon    Lifespan: 5 to 7 years Low Traffic

The density suggested below apply to 100% Nylon Frieze Styles. Lower density ratings are acceptable due to the higher tuft twist.

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Not sure what fiber to choose? (Learn about Carpet Fibers)

---

7 to 10 years

Polyester/P.E.T.     Lifespan: 7 to 10 years  Low Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Olefin (Polypropylene) Lifespan: 7 to 10 years   Low Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Sorona (Smartstrand)  Lifespan: 7 to 10 years   Low Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Nylon    Lifespan: 7 to 10 years   Low Traffic

The density suggested below apply to 100% Nylon Frieze Styles. Lower density ratings are acceptable due to the higher tuft twist.

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Not sure what fiber to choose? (Learn about Carpet Fibers)

---

10 to 15 years

Polyester/P.E.T.    Lifespan: 10 to 15 years  Low Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Olefin /Polypropylene  Lifespan: 10 to 15 years  Low Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Sorona (Smartstrand) Lifespan: 10 to 15 years  Low Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Nylon    Lifespan: 10 to 15 years  Low Traffic

The density suggested below apply to 100% Nylon Frieze Styles. Lower density ratings are acceptable due to the higher tuft twist.

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Not sure what fiber to choose? (Learn about Carpet Fibers)

---

15 years or more

Polyester/P.E.T.    Not Recommended

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Olefin /Polypropylene  Not Recommended

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Sorona (Smartstrand)  Lifespan: Over 15 years Low Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Nylon    Lifespan: Over 15 years Low Traffic

The density suggested below apply to 100% Nylon Frieze Styles. Lower density ratings are acceptable due to the higher tuft twist.

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Not sure what fiber to choose? (Learn about Carpet Fibers)

 

©Alan J. Fletcher  All Rights Reserved. All content is the opinion of the author. Disclaimer

*DuPont™ Sorona® Polymer (PTT), Smartstrand® by Mohawk TM