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Carpet Selection for Moderate 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 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

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

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3000

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

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

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

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? 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

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3200+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Olefin /Polypropylene   Longevity 5 to 7 years Moderate 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 Longevity 5 to 7 years Moderate 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    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.

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

 

---

7 to 10 years

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

3600

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Olefin Polypropylene  Longevity 7 to 10 years Moderate traffic

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

1600

1700

1800

1900

2000

2100

2200

2300

2400

2500

2600

2700

2800

2900

3200+

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

Sorona (Smartstrand) Longevity  7 to 10 years Moderate 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   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.

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

 

---

10 to 15 years

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) Longevity 10 to 15 years Moderate 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    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.

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

 

---

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) 15+ years Moderate 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    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.

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

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

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

My Carpet Buying Guide is Guaranteed to Save You Money! 

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