The more you know, the more prepared you’ll be to get the best value.

First, measure the widest point of the room(s) you want to carpet. Make

sure you include any door openings or steps. Take the length times the

width and divide by 9. This will give you the approximate number of

square yards you’ll need.

There are other questions to consider. What will the room be used for?

How much traffic will there be? What type of texture do you want? Rooms

with more traffic require a better quality of carpeting. Note that lighting

can change the look of the carpet so you will want to place a sample in

the room to make sure it is how you want it to look.

Before you shop, determine your budget. Make sure the salesperson

knows your limit. This will give him/her a range to work within. You will

want to buy the best quality carpeting you can afford. The more resilient

the fiber, the longer it will last. Inspect for how tight the twists are. Press

down on the carpet with your fingers to feel how easy or hard it is to

penetrate the backing. The more difficult, the better the carpet.

Another thing to think about when buying carpeting is the padding. The

thickness of the pad does not determine the quality, the density does.

This is not a place to cut corners as good padding will add life and keep

your carpet looking newer for much longer.

To prepare for carpet installation, make sure the room is clear of all

furniture and accessories and that the temperature is at least 65 degrees.

If you are building a new home, make sure there is electricity available.

Check Out Part 2 – Colors, Patterns, Backing & Maintenance