Whether the starting point for a room or the final component, carpeting has the potential to add a layer of beauty as well as a layer of comfort. It also protects floors and provides a slip-proof covering to slick surfaces and stairs. This month, Leslie Breaux, who owns Brown & Damaré Wholesale Carpet with her husband, Steve Breaux, looks at what’s afoot in the world of carpeting.
Breaux offers basic advice for where to begin when choosing a carpet.
“First, we try to get a feel for what they are looking for,” she said. “Are there pets and children? Which room is it for? Is it a room with a lot of traffic or very little traffic? Is it long term or just something for a short time?”
General knowledge about types of carpeting can help in the decision making as well. For instance, Breaux says wool carpeting cleans best, is hypoallergenic and durable. And surprisingly, this natural fiber is often less expensive than synthetic alternatives.
“It’s supply and demand,” said Breaux. “Nylon and polypropylene have flooded the market, so the demand is not as strong for wool and wool manufacturers are able to market it at a better price.”
That said, different areas of a house call for different types of carpet. Synthetics (such as those made of recycled plastics) work especially well for indoor/outdoor options, which can usually be cleaned outside with a hose. But indoor/outdoor carpeting is not recommended for stairs; because it’s woven and lacks backing, the bending causes it to come apart.
Wool is best for both cleanability and durability. Nylon has good memory and springs back into place in high traffic. Oil-based fibers (polyester, polypropylene and others) tend to mat down over time. Loop construction is better for traffic that cut pile. Wall-to-wall, also known as broadloom, is a popular choice for bedrooms and for rooms with subflooring only.
For those who want the look of a rug vs wall-to-wall carpet, carpet that is cut and bound to fit the desired dimensions is an affordable alternative to custom made and antique rugs. Patterns include Oriental designs and geometrics. Choices of finishes for bound carpet include surging (wrapping the edges with yarn), binding (creating a narrow or wide border with material such as cotton, leather or easy to clean pleather) and mitered corners, which is perhaps the most finished look of all.
Never mind if these specifics don’t readily come to mind when shopping for the perfect foundation.
“We guide people to what is not only beautiful but also functional,” said Breaux.
1 | Get a qualified installer.
2 | Always request a sample to look at in your space and in different lights.
3 | Don’t be afraid to clean your carpet. Breaux’s favorite cleaning tool is Bissell’s Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner provides powerful suction for spills and spots.
About the Expert
Leslie Breaux has honed her knowledge of carpet and other floor coverings through three decades at Brown & Damaré Wholesale Carpet, a to-the-trade showroom, where she works with designers, architects and their clients. “To see a space turn into something beautiful never gets old,” she said.
