Article
Flooring
Carpet Guide: Types, Cost & How to Choose
Lumberama Editorial Team, Flooring & Carpet Specialists Nov 6, 2026 9 min read
Carpet Fibers
Nylon: The most popular carpet fiber (65% of market). Most durable and resilient. Excellent stain resistance (with treatment). Holds color well. Best for: high-traffic areas, stairs, family rooms. Cost: $2-$7/sq ft. Lifespan: 12-15 years.
Polyester (PET): Soft, luxurious feel. Naturally stain- and fade-resistant. Less resilient (matting in high traffic). Made from recycled plastic bottles (eco-friendly options). Best for: bedrooms, low-traffic areas. Cost: $1-$4/sq ft. Lifespan: 5-10 years.
Triexta (SmartStrand/Sorona): Newer fiber, combines nylon durability with polyester softness. Excellent stain resistance (built in, not topical). Very soft. Best for: families with kids and pets. Cost: $2-$5/sq ft.
Olefin (polypropylene): Budget fiber. Moisture- and mildew-resistant. Fades and matts easily. Best for: basements, outdoor, budget. Cost: $1-$3/sq ft.
Wool: Premium natural fiber. Luxurious feel and appearance. Naturally flame-retardant. Expensive and requires professional cleaning. Best for: formal rooms, luxury homes. Cost: $5-$20/sq ft.
Carpet Styles
Cut pile: Plush/velvet: smooth, dense, formal. Shows footprints. Saxony: slightly longer, textured. Most popular cut pile. Frieze: tightly twisted, casual. Hides footprints and vacuum marks. Best for high traffic.
Loop pile: Berber: looped fibers, often flecked. Very durable. Can snag. Level loop: uniform loop height. Clean, modern look. Multi-level loop: varied loop heights. Pattern and texture.
Cut and loop: Combination of cut and looped fibers. Creates patterns and textures. Hides dirt and wear well.
Carpet tile: Individual squares (typically 18x18 or 24x24 inches). Easy to install and replace individual tiles. Great for basements and play rooms. Cost: $2-$5/sq ft.
Cost
Material (per sq ft): Budget: $1-$2. Mid-range: $2-$5. Premium: $5-$10+. Luxury wool: $10-$20+.
Padding (per sq ft): $0.30-$1.00. Do not skip padding. Quality padding extends carpet life and improves comfort.
Installation (per sq ft): Professional: $0.50-$2.00.
Total installed (per sq ft): Budget: $2-$5. Mid-range: $4-$8. Premium: $8-$15.
For a typical room (200 sq ft): Budget: $400-$1,000. Mid-range: $800-$1,600. Premium: $1,600-$3,000.
For a whole house (1,000 sq ft): Budget: $2,000-$5,000. Mid-range: $4,000-$8,000. Premium: $8,000-$15,000.
Old carpet removal: DIY: free. Professional: $0.50-$1.50/sq ft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Per sq ft (installed with padding): budget: $2-$5. Mid-range: $4-$8. Premium: $8-$15. Wool: $10-$25. For a typical bedroom (200 sq ft): $400-$3,000. For a whole house (1,000 sq ft): $2,000-$15,000. National average: about $3-$5/sq ft for material plus $1-$2 for padding and installation. Carpet is the most affordable flooring option for covering large areas.
Best overall: nylon. Most durable. Best stain resistance. Best for high traffic. 12-15 year lifespan. Best value: triexta (SmartStrand). Combines nylon durability with polyester softness. Excellent built-in stain resistance. Best for families. Best budget: polyester (PET). Soft and affordable. Good for bedrooms. Less durable in high traffic. Best luxury: wool. Natural, premium feel. Most expensive. Requires professional cleaning. The recommendation: nylon for living areas and stairs. Triexta for bedrooms and family rooms. Polyester for bedrooms on a budget.
By fiber: nylon: 12-15 years. Triexta: 10-15 years. Polyester: 5-10 years. Olefin: 5-8 years. Wool: 15-25 years. What shortens lifespan: high traffic without rotation. Poor quality padding (the most important factor after fiber). Pet damage. Lack of regular vacuuming. Stains left untreated. Direct sunlight (fading). Extending carpet life: quality padding ($0.50-$1/sq ft is worth it). Vacuum 2-3 times per week. Professional cleaning every 12-18 months ($0.25-$0.50/sq ft). Address stains immediately. Use area rugs in high-traffic paths.
Choose carpet when: bedrooms (warmth and comfort). Budget is a priority. Sound insulation matters (apartments, upstairs rooms). Kids play areas (softer landing). Cold climate (warmer underfoot). Choose hardwood when: living areas, kitchens, entryways. Resale value matters. You have allergies (carpet traps allergens). You want long-term durability (50-100+ years). Modern or open-concept design. Cost comparison: carpet: $3-$8/sq ft installed. Hardwood: $10-$25/sq ft. LVP (a compromise): $5-$12/sq ft. The trend: hardwood or LVP on the main floor, carpet in bedrooms. This is the most popular combination and what most buyers prefer.
Lumberama Editorial Team
Flooring & Carpet Specialists
Contributor to Lumberama’s reference library. Read our editorial standards and source methodology.
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