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Carpet Selection for Moderate Traffic Applications

How to use the Carpet Quality Selection Charts:

Take a minute to understand what these charts mean. As you scroll down you will find the corresponding carpet fibers along with the color coded guide to your best carpet selection based the carpet specifications and how long you want your carpet to last. 

Here's an example: if you want your carpet to last 5 to 7 years and you choose a Nylon carpet 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, 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 carpet to last 5 to 7 years...A Nylon carpet with a Face-Weight of 30 to 35 ounces, a Pile Density of 1800 to 2200, and a Tuft Twist of 5 to 5.5 will do the job. 

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 you want (some cost more than others, see below)

Example:

1. Carpet Fibers  Click here to Learn more about Carpet Fibers

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

2. Carpet Face-Weight (in ounces)

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

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 $13 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 to begin? 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. 

5 to 7 years

Polyester/P.E.T.    Longevity 5 to 7 years Moderate Traffic

Olefin /Polypropylene   Longevity 5 to 7 years Moderate Traffic

Sorona/Smartstrand Longevity 5 to 7 years Moderate Traffic

Nylon    Longevity 5 to 7 years Moderate Traffic

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

7 to 10 years

Polyester/P.E.T.    Not Recommended

Olefin Polypropylene  Longevity 7 to 10 years Moderate traffic

Sorona (Smartstrand) Longevity  7 to 10 years Moderate traffic

Nylon   Longevity  7 to 10 years  Moderate traffic

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

10 to 15 years

Polyester/P.E.T.    Not recommended

Olefin /Polypropylene     Not recommended

Sorona (Smartstrand) Longevity 10 to 15 years Moderate Traffic

Nylon    Longevity 10 to 15 years Moderate Traffic

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

15 years or more

Polyester/P.E.T.     Not recommended

Olefin /Polypropylene     Not recommended

Sorona (Smartstrand) 15+ years Moderate Traffic

Nylon    15+ years Moderate Traffic

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

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