Guide · 4 min read
Carpet buying guide
Introduction
Carpet is the one floor covering where what you cannot see — the underlay and the fitting — matters as much as the sample in your hand.
Fibre
Wool is resilient, naturally flame-retardant and recovers from compression. Polypropylene is bleach-cleanable and better value. An 80/20 wool-rich blend is the sensible middle ground for most homes.
Pile and weight
Twist piles hide footprints and suit stairs and hallways. Loop piles read crisper but can snag with pets. Higher pile weight generally means better recovery — compare weight per square metre, not just price.
Underlay
A quality 10–11mm PU underlay extends carpet life significantly, improves warmth and transforms how a floor feels underfoot. It is the cheapest meaningful upgrade in any carpet quotation.
