Buying Guides
Buying the best carpet & carpet underlay
Carpets are a major investment for your home; adding comfort, warmth and even soundproofing your space. Explore our guide below for help with deciding on, ordering and owning a carpet. We can estimate for and fit your new carpet too
Virtual and In-Home appointments available
Our expert Partners are still available for In-home and virtual Estimating Appointments in line with Government guidance. Book an appointment below
Location
The location of your new carpet is an important consideration, as carpets located in different areas experience different levels of traffic and wear. Things to consider when choosing your carpet:
Wear grading
All our carpets feature a wear grading, which is listed online or on the reverse of the sample. The heavier the grading, the more durable the carpet:
- Medium domestic wear – ideal for bedrooms and secondary rooms that see slightly less foot traffic, and people are less likely to wear shoes
- Heavy domestic wear – ideal for living rooms, dining rooms and halls
- Very heavy domestic wear – for porches and hallways where people are likely to be wearing shoes.
Ply yarn
The ply of a carpet will affect its durability and performance. We offer carpet carpets up to four ply. Generally, the higher the ply, the denser the carpet.
Tog rating
The tog of the carpet tells you how insulated it is, generally the lower the tog the less insulation it provides so opt for a low tog carpet if you have underfloor heating. We recommend that the combined tog rating of carpet and underlay doesn't exceed 2.5.
Which style of carpet?
Our carpets are produced in a variety of surface textures designed for different rooms and types of lifestyle.
Twist
- Hard-wearing and long-lasting textured carpets
- Durable and attractive thanks to the use of tightly twisted fibres which create a textured appearance
- Ideal for high-traffic rooms and less prone to staining than some other carpet styles
Loop
Ideal for busy areas like hallways and stairs
The rugged appearance can look like natural flooring such as sisal
Not suitable if you have pets, as their claws can pull the loops
Velvet
- Softer, smoother yet still hard-wearing and long-lasting
- Light and dark shading creates a rich finish
- Ideal for adding a luxurious touch, especially to a bedroom
Natural floor covering
- Produced from plants, husks and grasses
- Available in different weaves, such as herringbone and boucle
- Adds a laid-back, rustic to a room
- Well suited to heavy-traffic areas
Which material?
The look, feel and quality of a carpet is also dependent on the type of yarn fibres used.
Wool
Pros
- Warm
- Durable
- Reduces heat loss and noise
- Maintains its appearance
- Naturally flame-retardant
- Easy to clean
- Resistant to dust mites, mould/mildew and bacteria growth
- Naturally hypoallergenic
- Sustainable
Cons
- Not as stain-resistant as synthetic carpet
- May not be as soft as synthetic carpet
Wool mix
Pros
- Reduced shedding
- Strong
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Less durable than pure wool
Polypropylene
Pros
- Soft under foot
- Good value for money
- Highly stain resistant
- Bleach-cleanable
- Good colour fastness
Cons
- Flammable
- More likely to flatten over time
Polyester
Pros
- Soft under foot
- Highly stain-resistant and easy to clean
- Good colour fastness
- Quick-drying
Cons
- More robust than polypropylene
Nylon
Pros
- The softest carpet available
- Very strong
- Durable
- Resistant to moths
- Highly stain-resistant and easy to clean
Sisal
Pros
- Strong
- Hardwearing
- Available in a choice of muted colours
Cons
- Stains easily
- Hard to clean
Seagrass
Pros
- Naturally textured
- Stain-resistant
Cons
- Slippery surface, especially when wet
Jute
Pros
- Softest of all natural floor coverings
- Fine texture
- More stain-resistant than sisal
Cons
- Not as hard-wearing
Coir
Pros
- Durable
- Strong
- Cost-effective
Cons
- Rougher than other natural floor coverings
- Susceptible to fading in strong sunlight
Choosing your underlay
To get the most out of your new carpet, we always recommend fitting underlay, even if you already have it, as it:
Helps reduce sound
Keeps warmth in and reduces energy costs
Provides underfoot comfort
Adds to the longevity of your carpet
Rubber
There are three basic types of rubber underlay; sponge, crumb and crumb felt.
Sponge rubber
- Characteristics of natural rubber, but is odourless and has greater stability
- Soft, luxurious feel underfoot
- Good heat and sound insulation
- Less resilient to heavy furniture compared to a firmer crumb rubber
Crumb rubber
- Offers outstanding durability in high-traffic areas
- Ideal for rooms with heavy furniture
- Contains over 80% recycled content
Crumb felt
- Features a felt layer on top of the crumb rubber
- Contains over 80% recycled content
- Provides the comfort of sponge and the resilience of crumb
Paper
- Forms a barrier to dirt and draughts
- Used beneath underlay to even out surfaces
- Essential under carpets with built-in underlay to prevent the carpet backing sticking to the floor
|
Good |
Better |
Best | Reason |
Living room |
Crumb & Felt |
JL Comfort |
Comfort Plus |
Comfort and available in a range of price points |
Dining room |
Crumb & Felt |
JL Comfort |
JL Crumb Rubber |
Withstands the weight of heavy furniture |
Main bedroom |
Crumb & Felt |
JL Comfort |
Comfort Plus |
Comfort and available in a range of price points |
Staircase & Landing |
Crumb & Felt |
JL Comfort |
JL Crumb Rubber |
Withstands heavy traffic |
Hallway |
N/A |
N/A |
Timbermate Excel |
Noise reduction and a moisture barrier |
Conservatory |
Crumb & Felt |
JL Comfort |
Crumb & Felt |
Comfort and durability with less traffic than the living room. |
Spare bedroom |
N/A |
N/A |
Crumb & Felt |
Comfort, cost-effective. Comfort Plus is recommended if you’re looking for a more luxurious feel |
Underfloor heating
If you have underfloor heating, you can refer to the tog rating found online or on the sample to see how suitable it is.
Our Partners will be able to help you find something suitable; however, we still recommend that you seek specialist advice from your heating system supplier to ensure you have the best option.
Pricing
All our carpets are priced in square metres. The final cost though will be dependent on any additional services and fitting.
Sampling
Free samples of the majority of our carpet ranges are available online and in our shops.
Ordering
Once you’ve decided on the kind of carpet you’d like, book a free estimating appointment online or visit one of our shops. Please note that we only supply carpet if you also use our fitting service.
Estimating and fitting services
We offer a free estimating service where one of our trained experts will visit your home to take measurements and provide you with a quote.
If you choose to buy your carpet from us, we also need you to let us fit it, as we're unable to supply only; the price for fitting will vary depending on the size of the job and its complexity, plus any additional services you order such as furniture moving.
Owning
Caring for your carpet
Snip off any pills with scissors
Vacuum frequently to prevent shedding and shading
Avoid static by using a humidifier or putting pot plants in water trays
Avoid beater brushes on loop pile carpets. Use the suction head only.
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