Here, learn how to find cheap carpet for your home without sacrificing quality. Consider choosing a less expensive fiber for your carpet. Polyester is a great middle-priced option. It has been around for a long time and, thanks to innovations, is more durable than it ever was before. Polyester is naturally stain-resistant and comes in a wide array of styles and colors. A big plus with polyester is that you can get much more vibrant colors than you can in nylon, due to the way the fiber accepts the dyes. Olefin (polypropylene) is one of the cheapest carpet fibers to buy. When made into a cut-pile (Saxony) carpet, it is best suited for low-traffic areas, as it is not very resilient. However, it is strongest in a looped form, such as in a Berber or in a level loop commercial style. In these styles, the olefin can stand up quite well to foot traffic, and it has the advantage of being as close to stain-proof as possible because olefin is solution-dyed. For example, many Berbers offered at lower price points are still fairly durable. Berbers often cost less because of the olefin fiber content and the production process. All styles of carpet start out as looped. For cut-piles, the tips of the loops are sheared off. Berbers do not need to undergo this step of the process, so they are less costly to produce. Why are Berbers considered to be so durable? It is because the strongest part of a fiber is the side, rather than the top. When a fiber is looped around, it is the side of the fiber that is exposed to foot traffic (because the “ends” are tucked into the backing). Therefore, you are always walking on the strongest part of the fiber. Frieze is another hardy style of carpet that will generally offer good durability at a lower price. Friezes consist of longer fibers that feature a high twist level, which increases the fiber strength. Additionally, because the fibers are longer, they tend to lean over to the side. This means that much of the foot traffic occurs on the side of the fibers, which is a good thing. To help with your budget, avoid cut and loop styles. Generally, these styles are more expensive and not as durable as other styles mentioned above. If you are looking to carpet a small area, such as a bedroom or a family room, check to see if the dealer carries any carpet remnants. These are usually the ends of the large rolls that the dealer kept in inventory and are often discounted even further once the roll gets small enough that it can be sold as a remnant. Carpet is also typically cheaper to buy online, however, it’s important to know what you’re getting. If you’re able to test out a certain brand of carpet in-store or order samples online before committing to a large purchase, you may be able to install carpeting at wholesale prices.
Seconds
Inquire if all of the in-stock products are first-quality goods. This means that they are the same product originally sold by the manufacturer and come with a full warranty. Sometimes, dealers may carry “seconds,” which means second-quality goods. These are not necessarily bad carpets. The most common reason for a carpet being deemed second-quality is color. If the dyeing process was off somehow and resulted in a carpet that did not match the sample color closely enough, the manufacturer can’t sell the carpet when customers order from the sample. However, there is nothing wrong with the carpet itself, so the manufacturer can sell the product to a dealer at a deeply discounted rate. If the color works for you, then you can often score an even bigger deal on the carpet. Just be sure that the manufacturer’s warranty is in effect and that there is nothing wrong with the quality or performance of the carpet. You don’t necessarily need to buy the highest grade of pad offered by the retailer. Some dealers carry “deluxe” pads that offer additional features, such as being made of memory foam or increasing the length of the manufacturer’s warranty. When working within a budget, you don’t need these extra features. Just look for a durable pad that is suitable for your use. Generally, we recommend bonded polyurethane foam underlay (commonly referred to as “rebond” or “chipfoam”) as it offers good value for the price. Opt for a minimum density of 8 pounds and a minimum thickness of 3/8 (0.375) inches for use under most carpets in most residential applications. These carpets are very budget-friendly. The cost of the carpet with the pad attached is generally less than the cost of purchasing the carpet and pad separately. In addition, the installation of carpet with attached padding is fairly simple, so you could save even more money by installing the carpet yourself. While we don’t recommend Kanga-backed carpets for use in high-traffic areas, they can be effectively used in areas such as basements, playrooms, or even rental units. They offer a low-cost option to the landlord or tenant and, if purchased by the tenant, can be easily removed and transported when the tenant moves out. When it comes to areas that see more concentrated traffic (like hallways between main rooms), it’s helpful to opt for durable separate underpads or style a runner rug to protect the carpeting.
