skip to main content

Comparing carpet choices

15 years ago

In response to floorshopper from the other string...which apparently we've killed...

New Sensations and Kingsley are the same style. Alexander Smith is a private label brand for Abbey (which is a flooring buying group). SO go for the best deal.

As for Enviable - we show that as a Wear-Dated style that has been dropped.

CG

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

reelmower
15 years ago
Carpetgirl-

You must start your own blog/website with this type of advice! I am serious. I read your other responses from the Sorona post.

I work in the business world (not in carpet) and am shocked at how much bad information is out there about carpet. No other business industry would/should tolerate this.

Consumers get contradictory statements from different carpet dealers, "old wives tales" about polyester, confusion about private label names, etc etc etc. This is simply supply-chain manipulation. Manufacturers need to make it as simple as possible for consumers to decide on what they want- and to obtain it easily.

Carpet manufacturers must remember that their true customer is the end user, not the middle-man distributor. An honest, forthright website with discussions like this would benefit the consumers greatly- as many of the posting here indicate.

How about Carpetgirl.com? :)

Keep up the great work. I am both helped and impressed at your knowledge and honesty.

Thanks-
0
spence148
15 years ago
Carpetgirl

Can you tell me what the equivalent name of the Smartstrand Long Prairie carpet is? My local Smartstrand dealer has it but Mohawk does not even list it on their website. The other dealers carry the other names listed on the website. When we asked them to cross-reference, we got names of carpets that had very different weights from the Long Prairie - obviously, not a correct cross-reference.

Also, since I am a carpet rookie, does a heavier weight always mean a better carpet when comparing within the same line - ie. Mohawk Smartstrand?

Thanks for your help.
0
Related Discussions
Carpet Novice Needs Help with Karastan SmartStrand Carpet Choice
Q
Comments (6)
Thank you so much, echoflooring. You were absolutely right! We went back to the carpet store to get comfortable on all this before finalizing the order, and I figured I'd circle back for the benefit of anyone in the future who looks at this question. We went back and compared the carpet we chose to the "true friezes" and "true saxonies" they had. This Essential Living is something Karastan calls a "textured saxony." Fiber is much, much thicker, and considerable looser than a real saxony. Unlike the saxony, you can't make lasting footprints (or draw smiley faces as my son did), in the Essential Living carpet. About the same texture as the friezes, just a teeny bit longer and a little bit looser, and a bit softer. It's not as long as I remember it, and carpet vendor says they've had lots of experience putting it on stairs with no wear or safety issues. With his guidance we did scale the padding on the stairs back to a dense, thinner, pretty unyielding felt that should reduce concerns about too much padding/curve on stair treads. Thanks so much for all your help!
...See More
Carpet choice for high-traffic family room
Q
Comments (9)
I agree with those who suggested to just go for the wood and put in throw rugs for the sound deadening. If you do go with carpet, definitely check with the manufacturer to see if they have an approved vacuum list. Many of them actually tell you not use Dyson on some products. You are on the right track looking at nylon and smartstrand for a high traffic area. Most pro tests I've seen indicate that Nylon is still top dog as far as durability and not crushing, but Smartstrand is very close. That said, smartstrand is generally easier to clean and more stain resistant. Nylon has the advantage in resisting soiling and if you go with a solution dyed nylon, you can match smartstrand in ease of cleaning. Solution dyed nylon for residential is not the most common yet, though it has been expanding in recent years but I don't think they have it available in nearly the same softness as your soft nylons and smartstrand products. I generally don't look for softness if I am looking at a high traffic area. Other considerations for high traffic - keep to a lowerpile cut or loop carpet. If cut pile, go with a lower pile frieze or textured. Color plays a huge part in hiding soil so look at your mid-tones in particular. Twist should be at least 5.5, 6 preferable, and should have fairly high density.
...See More
Marvin Ultimate choices and comparables?
Q
Comments (5)
Be sure the windows meet the Energy Star requirements for your region. Here are Energy Star Most Efficient 2019 Casement windows. Do substitute casements for double-hung. They are more efficient and the lack of a meeting rail increases the glass area and light. The push-outs appear sleek because of the reduced hardware. It may also be easier to place blinds in front of them without cranks in the way. I'd use casements instead of gliders unless I didn't want the open window to extend outside. Casements are the most efficient window because the sashes are tight against the jamb when closed. Meeting rails are make gliders comparatively leaky. Casements catch the wind to improve ventilation. Gliders don't. I'd never heard of a retractable screen but if it covered more of the glass than a standard screen then I probably wouldn't buy them unless I had a great view from an operable window. I'll bet they're costly. Awning windows which are hinged at the top are fantastic because they can be left open in the rain. If the dining room window weren't too large, perhaps it could be replaced with one awning that would provide a full view of the outdoors and wouldn't below the dishes away even in wind and rain. Grills: blecch.
...See More
Stair carpet--wool or nylon a better choice? Masland brand probably
Q
Comments (10)
I only ask this because this is what we do at home. How are you about not wearing shoes upstairs? Once we started doing that our carpets have really benefitted from that. However, I grew up in an area where people routinely removed their outside shoes because it was a grimy industrial area. This drove my parents crazy, they would never leave their bedroom without shoes on (this was a Depression thing, they were basically forced to go barefoot as much as possible in warmer weather so they did not wear out their shoes). They wanted us to wear shoes all the time. Anyway I compromise and keep shoes on on the first floor but don't wear outside shoes upstairs if I can avoid it. I am not trying to turn this into a discussion about which is better. The bedroom carpets room size bound broadloom in an extremely short wool velvet cut pile, woven, not tufted. This was not easy to find, it's from Italy and I got it through the local Stark-Patterson Flynn Martin showroom. Although it is not installed I am putting the same on the steps. The house I grew up in had forty-odd year old velvet cut carpet on one staircase that looked brand new. Another staircase had conventional plush tufted carpet on it that started to look worn on the treads after a few years.
...See More
Related Professionals
Kansas City Flooring Contractors · Los Angeles Flooring Contractors · Lynbrook Flooring Contractors · Owatonna Flooring Contractors · St. Louis Flooring Contractors · University Park Flooring Contractors · The Crossings General Contractors · Fremont General Contractors · Geneva General Contractors · Great Falls General Contractors · Greensburg General Contractors · Kettering General Contractors · Mount Vernon General Contractors · Schertz General Contractors · Lebanon Home Remodeling
nmfsc
15 years ago
Hello to all! I am new to the site and carpet buying. Carpetgirl, can you please give me your opinion/advice on HD's sale of Mohawk's Smartstrand Sorona aladdin silk? Your advice and knowledge has been very helpful to me so far. The specs and price (2.28sq ft) are very competitive from what I have been reading and trying to learn about. I am looking to recarpet 17 yr old carpet in my home. One teen and one 8lb dog in home. The area I want to do is equaling about 700 sq ft. Thanks in advance.
0
tessaduncan
15 years ago
I came on here to look for the answer to the same question as above - is the Sorona Silk from HD any good? The price is a good third less than their Cloudland and about half what I've found at the independents which I think is comparable (hard to tell with the different names). TIA.
0
tessaduncan
15 years ago
**bump**
0
carpetgirl
Original Author
15 years ago
Reelmower - I have thought about it - mostly due tot he response from this one forum. Carpet is a complicated and confusing purchase and I certainly want to help. I may very well do a carpetgirl.com. Thanks for the kind words.

Spence - Try South Padre Island. Heavier weight does not always mean better carpet. You can have a lighter weight carpet with more twist (what we call a frieze) and have a better performing carpet than one that is heavier. Fortunately the Sorona products all perform very well, so you can simply choose a style you prefer.

As for THD's Silk...occasionally you will see specials running at Home Depot or Lowe's. This is one such special. There is nothing wrong with the style and it is certainly not a second of any kind. It is simply a way for us to generate volume. Silk would be a great choice for whatever you're doing...but it is a limited time offer - so decide quickly before the special ends.

CG
0
carpetgirl
Original Author
15 years ago
at Mower's suggestion...please visit the new blog. I need your questions to build content.

Here is a link that might be useful: CarpetGirl's blog
0

Related Stories

WORKING WITH PROS How to Hire the Right Architect: Comparing Fees

By Dylan Chappell Architects

Learn common fee structures architects use and why you might choose one over another

LIFE 12 House-Hunting Tips to Help You Make the Right Choice

By Laura Gaskill

Stay organized and focused on your quest for a new home, to make the search easier and avoid surprises later

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Quit Procrastinating on Color Choice

By Laura Gaskill

If you're up to your ears in paint chips but no further to pinning down a hue, our new 3-part series is for you

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Get New Carpeting

By Laura Gaskill

Carpeting adds a layer of warmth and softness to a space. Here's what to know about today's materials, costs and trends

REMODELING GUIDES 11 Reasons to Love Wall-to-Wall Carpeting Again

By Judith Taylor Designs

Is it time to kick the hard stuff? Your feet, wallet and downstairs neighbors may be nodding

DECORATING GUIDES Lose It: 4 Ways to Get Rid of Your Old Carpet

By Vanessa Brunner

Try one of these earth-friendly tips before stuffing your dingy carpet or rug in the trash

REMODELING GUIDES Pick the Right Carpet Material

By Jennifer Bishop Design

A little knowledge about carpet fibers can mean longer life for your floors. Our guide can help you make the best choice

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Counters: Stainless Steel, the Chefs' Choice

By Ivon Street Studio

Professional-grade strength and shining beauty unite in classic stainless steel countertops for the kitchen

FLOORS Bedroom Style: Set the Tone With Your Choice of Flooring

Design your bedroom from the bottom up by choosing your floor treatment first. The rest of the decor will follow

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS Kitchen Counters: Tile, the Choice for Affordable Durability

By Ivon Street Studio

DIYers and budget-minded remodelers often look to this countertop material, which can last for decades with the right maintenance

Sponsored

More Discussions

Basement floor question

8

Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C over Ciranova Pink Blocker?

2

Flexera High Tack by HB Fuller. Has anyone used it? vinyl 2 concrete

0

has anyone used coretec manila oak

0

Help Choosing how to replacing Front Door threshold flooring

4