“Get” your carpet fiber
Understanding fiber is key to understanding carpet. It breaks down easily into two major categories, synthetic carpet fibers and natural. Natural carpet fibers are derived from animal or vegetable sources that are processed further to make yarn. Cotton and jute are the primary vegetable-based fibers while wool is the most popular of the animal-based variety. Wool carpet fiber is expensive due to high demand and somewhat limited supply and is used mostly for rugs and higher-end carpets.
Synthetic fibers are produced chemically via petroleum products and include:
• Nylon carpet-the work horse of carpet, comprises 75% of the industry, is resilient, cleanable and easiest to dye and style
• Polyester carpet-softer and more accepting of brighter dyes, it’s used only residentially due to susceptibility to matting and crushing
• Polypropolene carpet fibers-extremely durable and unable to absorb moisture, it’s inexpensive and used primarily for commercial installations inside and out
Pick the Perfect Padding
Don’t be tempted to skimp on carpet padding to save a few dollars. Just as a building needs a solid foundation, carpeting relies on a layer of padding for support, strength and a bit of extra cushioning. You can’t see the padding, but you’ll definitely spot the extra wear and tear on your new carpet if you pick an inadequate padding material.
Made from rubber or foam materials, carpet padding conceals subfloor imperfections to improve the appearance of the finished floor. It also acts as insulation to help control the temperature of your home, and it even absorbs sound to protect your privacy and eliminate neighbor noise. Most importantly, padding supports your carpet through years of use, since it prevents carpet backing and fibers from coming apart over time.
Carpet Styles
Berber carpeting, in contrast, is crafted from continuous fiber loops and is flat and dense. It can have a level loop, cut-and-loop or multi-level loop design. All of these attributes mean Berber is extremely durable and doesn’t show tracks, soil and stains — perfect for high-traffic areas, or places frequented by kids.
Textured carpeting is made from fibers cut to different heights, which causes them to reflect light. This makes it difficult to see tracks and dirt. So this type of carpeting is also great for high-traffic areas. Some Berbers are textured.
Friezes are a cut-pile carpet made from slightly twisted fibers. The look is less formal than plush, but fancier than many textured pieces or Berber. The carpet feels soft on your feet, yet its fuzziness hides footprints and dirt well.
Consider nylon ($10 to $35 per square yard), the most popular synthetic fiber. Hard-wearing nylon provides brilliant colors and hides soil and traffic well. Thanks to its resilience, wear resistance and cleanability, nylon works almost anywhere.
Look to olefin (polypropylene) carpeting ($8 to $25 per square yard) when you need high stain, static and mildew resistance, but resilience isn’t a priority.
Choose polyester ($8 to $18 per square yard) for its soft feel and color clarity. Less durable than nylon, polyester stands up moderately well to wear and stains, but its cleanability is only fair. Best for use in low-traffic areas.
Pay a premium for wool ($24 to $60 or more per square yard), the oldest carpet fiber. Naturally soft and hard-wearing, wool has excellent resilience but low stain resistance (unless it’s treated); it wears and cleans well compared with all other fibers
Read more: How to Select Carpeting | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_110309_select-carpeting.html#ixzz1wCINEHCw
Green Carpet?
Many people are shocked to learn just how much carpet, padding and adhesives can impact air quality and health. If you’ve ever been around brand-new carpet or other building materials, you probably remember that distinctive “new” smell. That odor is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs, such as formaldehyde, cause poor indoor air quality and can contribute to a host of health problems, including asthma and allergies [source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]. Protect your family by choosing carpet made from natural products, including wool, jute and other organic materials. Also, look for organic or chemical-free dyes to keep toxic fumes out of your home.
In addition to impacting your health, your choice of carpet can also affect the environment. Reduce your impact with recycled materials, such as carpets made from recycled water bottles. Many manufacturers also use recycled carpeting to produce new rugs, so check the recycled-content percentage before you buy. Keep in mind that nylon and other synthetics are made primarily from fossil fuel byproducts, so choose renewable or recycled products for maximum sustainability.
If you want to go green but feel overwhelmed by your options, consider eco-friendly carpet labeling programs sponsored by independent reviews. The Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus program or the Green Seal certification program can each provide valuable information on how different carpet options will impact the environment and your family’s health.

The DuraPoint commercial carpet brand is focused on giving you the best everyday value possible. These products are staples for our Builders, Remodelers and Installers.
The characteristics of this modular tile are like no other modular tile in the market today. Resista Modular Carpet tiles have incredible benefits that include an exceptional lay-flat characteristic that easily adapts to contour in the floor. Plus many other benefits. This new introduction consists of 6 exclusive styles and 8 colors each.

Pick the Perfect Padding
Don’t be tempted to skimp on carpet padding to save a few dollars. Just as a building needs a solid foundation, carpeting relies on a layer of padding for support, strength and a bit of extra cushioning. You can’t see the padding, but you’ll definitely spot the extra wear and tear on your new carpet if you pick an inadequate padding material.
Made from rubber or foam materials, carpet padding conceals subfloor imperfections to improve the appearance of the finished floor. It also acts as insulation to help control the temperature of your home, and it even absorbs sound to protect your privacy and eliminate neighbor noise. Most importantly, padding supports your carpet through years of use, since it prevents carpet backing and fibers from coming apart over time.
Consult your carpet manufacturer for padding recommendations and advice. Typically, high-traffic areas require firm, dense padding, while guest bedrooms and other light-traffic rooms may need less protection.

CARPET BRANDS
Aladdin Mills Associated
Weavers Atlas Carpet Mills
Avalon Barrett Carpet Mills
Beaulieu Commercial
Beaulieu Residential
Bellbridge
Bentley Prince Street
Bigelow
Blueridge
BMK Stoddard
Bretlin, Inc.
Brintons U.S. Axminster, Inc.
Cambridge
Colourhouse
Columbus Mills
Customweave
Daltonian Carpet & Cushion
Dixie
Design Materials Designweave
DuraWeave
DuraPoint
Fabrica
Galaxy Carpet Mills
Glen Eden Carpets
Globaltex Carpet Mills Ltd.
Godfrey Hirst
Hagaman Carpet Industries
Hibernia
Hollytex
Horizon Industries
Joy Carpet
Kane Carpet
Kraus
Lees
Louis de Poortere
Marglen Industries
Masland Carpet & Rugs
Merida Meridian
Milliken Carpet & Rugs Mohawk Commericial
Mohawk Residential
Nourison Ott Street Prestige
Queen Carpet Corp.
Richmond
Royal Dutch Carpet
Schumaker
Shaw Commercial
Shaw Industries Corp.
Somerset House
Stanton Carpet Corp.
Sutton Carpets
Tisca
Tuftex Industries
Unique Carpets
World Carpets, Inc.
World Contract Carpet
Wunda Weve