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Carpet Selection for Heavy Traffic Applications

How to use the Carpet Quality Selection Charts: 

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

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...A plush style 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)

 

Examples: 

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 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. 

Lifespan: 5 to 7 years  

Heavy Traffic

Choose Fiber Type:

1. Polyester/P.E.T.     Not recommended

2. Olefin /Polypropylene   Not recommended

 

3. Sorona (Smartstrand)  Lifespan: 5 to 7 years Heavy 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

 

4. Nylon    Lifespan: 5 to 7 years Heavy 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

 

---

Lifespan: 7 to 10 years 

Heavy Traffic

Choose Fiber Type:

1. Polyester/P.E.T.   Not recommended

2. Olefin (Polypropylene) Not recommended

 

3. Sorona (Smartstrand)  Lifespan: 7 to 10 years Heavy Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000

3100

3200

3300

3400

3500

3600

3700

3800

3900

4000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

 

4. Nylon  Lifespan: 7 to 10 years Heavy 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

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000

3100

3200

3300

3400

3500

3600

3700

3800

3900

4000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

 

---

Lifespan: 10 to 15 years  

Heavy Traffic

Choose Fiber Type:

1. Polyester/P.E.T.     Not recommended

2. Olefin /Polypropylene  Not recommended

 

3. Sorona (Smartstrand)  Lifespan: 10 to 15 years  Heavy Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000

3100

3200

3300

3400

3500

3600

3700

3800

3900

4000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

 

4. Nylon    Lifespan: 10 to 15 years  Heavy 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

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000

3100

3200

3300

3400

3500

3600

3700

3800

3900

4000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

 

---

Lifespan: Over 15 years  

Heavy Traffic

Choose Fiber Type:

1. Polyester/P.E.T.  Not recommended

2. Olefin /Polypropylene  Not recommended

 

3. Sorona (Smartstrand)   Lifespan: Over 15 years Heavy Traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000

3100

3200

3300

3400

3500

3600

3700

3800

3900

4000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

 

4. Nylon    Lifespan: Over 15 years Heavy 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

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000

3100

3200

3300

3400

3500

3600

3700

3800

3900

4000+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

©2009-2011 Alan J. Fletcher  All Rights Reserved. All content is the opinion of the author. Disclaimer

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