Carpets are available in all manner of colours, fibres, materials and finishes. This is great as it gives the buyer a choice, but it presents an unlikely dilemma. With so many factors impacting on your decision to purchase, you need to take the appropriate steps to ensure that you land what works for you. Below are some key considerations.

1. Decide on a carpet material

Your choices in this regard include natural wool, nylon, polypropylene or polyester.

Wool is one of the most beloved materials out there, mostly because it is purely natural, dense, soft to the touch and hides dirt pretty well.

Nylon is a strong fiber, highly resistant to abrasions, easy to maintain and static-free.

Polypropylene is colorfast but prone to matting and general pressure. Still, it makes up 80% of commercial carpet installations.

Polyester has a luxurious feel and is resistant to water but doesn’t hold on to its fibres under pressure. It also fades under direct, heavy sunlight.

Read more: Your buying guide to carpet fibres and materials

2. Decide on a carpet finish

Here, the classifications are cut pile, loop and cut-loop.

A cut pile carpet – such as cut pile twist or cut pile plush – will have yarns cut off at the two opposite ends. It has a soft aura about it, and this makes it ideal for bedrooms and living rooms.

A loop carpet – such as level loop pile or high/low loop pile – has distinctive yarns that have been looped and cut on its surface. Sometimes, you have low piles. At others, you have tightly constructed piles that create a luxurious feel.

A cut-loop carpet is a combination of elements of the two main finishes.

Read more: Your buying guide to carpet styles and finishes

3. Understand carpet specifications and ratings

The Australian Carpet Institute provides yellow and blue identification tags to carpets that have been graded specifically for residential use. The labelling system uses factors such as appearance retention and durability. The residential rating system offers a maximum of 6 stars for each graded carpet.

* Residential Light Duty: suitable for bedroom with light traffic flow

** Residential Medium Duty: suitable for living room, entertainment area with light to medium traffic flow

*** Residential Heavy Duty: suitable for hallway, entertainment area with heavy traffic flow

***** Residential Heavy Duty: suitable for hallway, entertainment area with heavy traffic flow

***** Residential Extra Heavy Duty: suitable for All surface areas with extra heavy traffic flow

****** Residential Extra Heavy Duty: suitable for All surface areas with extra heavy traffic flow

With the right information at hand, you are now able to choose a carpet that will work perfectly for your residential needs and personal preferences.