Carpet is an attractive and practical form of flooring for your home, so it is essential to ensure its cleanliness and longevity. Depending on the type of carpet you have, you should get acquainted with how to best care for your carpet. Over the years, carpet has to be tough enough to withstand stains, wear-and-tear, and still keep up appearances. If you are scratching your head about how long your carpet will last, keep reading to learn more.
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Most types of carpet will last up to 10 years before they begin to show signs that they need to be replaced. Even with the best cleaning routines and care, over time, carpets will degrade in quality and need to be changed. Depending on where you have your carpet installed, its pile, material type, and level of foot traffic impact longevity.
Feeling stumped on selecting a carpet for its lifespan? Check out the average amount of time that different carpets will last in your home. The following assessments are for areas with low foot traffic -
- Berber carpet should last ten years.
- Nylon carpet should last up to 10 years.
- Wool carpets last an average of 8 years.
- Triexta carpets can potentially last longer than ten years.
- Olefin carpets are prized for being stain-resistant, but soiling will reduce its lifespan with an average of 3 to 5 years.
- Polyester carpets last between 5 to 15 years.
When choosing a carpet, you want to consider your budget, the area you are installing it in, and how much foot traffic it can withstand. Don't worry. We have done the research to help you understand the ins and out affecting a carpet's quality and lifespan. Keep reading to learn more about the factors that impact a carpet's longevity and performance most.
What Are the Main Types of Carpet?
If you are in the market for a carpet, you might hear or see terms like low-pile, high-pile, loop-pile, and cut-pile. But what does all of this tell you about a carpet? A carpet is made up of a series of fabric loops, no matter if it is using synthetic or natural fibers. So, let's take a closer look at why the pile matters so much for carpets.
Low- Pile Carpet
If a carpet is described as being low-pile, it's because it has tighter fabric loops and a smoother, shorter surface. A low-pile carpet is ideal for anyone who lives with allergies, likes an easy-to-clean surface, and appreciates the ease of moving furniture atop the carpet without much effort.
High-Pile Carpet
A high-pile carpet, like a shag carpet, for example, is prized for providing additional comfort and warmth. The higher loops of a high-pile carpet create a fluffy surface that is desirable because it doesn't flatten as quickly as low-pile carpets.
Loop-Pile Carpet
A carpet that is made with a series of closed loops left unsheared is known as a loop-pile carpet. Most types of loop-pile carpets are made from Olefin, nylon, or wool. Wool is a prized material for creating beautiful and durable loop-pile carpets, but they can be pricier compared to synthetic fiber carpets. Loop-pile carpet must be handled with care because if a loop gets pulled out, it will ruin the continuity of the carpet. Both residential and commercial spaces look good with a loop-pile carpet.
Cut-Pile Carpet
Carpets that have sheared loops are some of the most popular on the market and are made in polyester, wool, and nylon. A cut-pile carpet with twisted loops helps it resist flattening out or being crushed easily over time. A carpet with a heavy twist helps mask foot-traffic, visible dirt, and wear-and-tear. If you need a carpet for the entire house, a cut-pile carpet is a solid choice.
Give your bedroom an edge with these carpets!
How Long Do Most Carpets Last?
Nylon carpets are one of the most resilient on the market. But, they can have a short lifespan if subject to heavy traffic and are low-quality they will degrade within three years.
Carpets made from nylon can last up to five years if the traffic is light. A nylon carpet of mid to high quality can last between 12 to 15 years if in a low traffic area.
Olefin may have the appearance of wool, but this synthetic fiber used for creating carpets is polypropylene. Manufacturers like to use Olefin to make carpets because it is inexpensive, resistant to mold and mildew, and it's suitable for low-pile carpets and area rugs. However, carpets made from Olefin do not handle heavy foot traffic or soiling very well, but they are resistant to stains. They have an average lifespan of up to 10 years if traffic is light.
Wool carpets are the holy grail of exceptional quality, durability, and come with a hefty price tag. The fibers of wool lend themselves to creating carpets that are smooth in texture or come in an array of dyed hues. Wool handles itself well and can last up to 20 years or more, but special care must be taken for its maintenance and the foot-traffic levels. An inexpensive and low-quality wool carpet will last an average of eight years.
Triexta is a new synthetic fiber that has taken the world of carpets by storm because it is so sturdy, resilient, and it performs as well if not better than nylon. DuPont created both nylon and Triexta, but Triexta may soon usurp nylon's place as the most durable synthetic fiber to make a carpet. A Triexta carpet should last a minimum of 10 years, but it may perform for decades.
Polyester carpets last between five and 15 years, depending on the amount of foot-traffic and material quality. Many homeowners love using polyester carpets because the synthetic fibers are soft, long-lasting, and come in vibrant colors. Polyester carpets may be created using recycled materials, are easy to clean, and don't build up static electricity.
How Long Does Berber Carpet Last?
Berber carpets are an excellent choice because of their stain-resistance and durability. Depending on the fiber used to make your Berber carpet, the lifespan will vary. A Berber carpet made from Olefin will last an average of three years.
A nylon Berber carpet of high-quality can last up to 20 years if well cared for and not exposed to heavy foot traffic. Most Berber carpets last an average of 10 years, up to 15 if they are high-quality and routinely professionally cleaned.
Read more: What is a Berber carpet?
How Often Does Carpet Need to be Replaced?
Can Old Carpet Make You Sick?
How Do I Keep Carpet Looking New?
Upright Shampooer by Hoover
Check out this machine to keep your carpet looking its best on Amazon.
Carpet Cleaner and Deodorizer by Hoover
Check out this handy carpet cleaner on Amazon.
How Do I Know When to Replace My Carpet?
You will know when it is time to replace your carpet when troublesome stains and dirt have settled in that won't be easy to remove. A worn carpet, dirty-looking, and no longer the soft, plush flooring it used to be should be discarded. If allergies and respiratory problems continue to plague you at home, your carpet may need to be replaced immediately. Regularly cleaning your carpet and looking out for signs of wear-and-tear because of heavy foot-traffic will help you stay on top of your carpet's performance, longevity, and overall appearance
How Long Does Carpet Last on Stairs?
If you need to install carpet on stairs, it should be built tough to handle heavy foot-traffic without quickly succumbing to flattening out, matting, or losing its softness underfoot. Expect carpet on stairs to last a minimum of seven to 10 years, but some manufacturers do sell hardy carpets that come with a 15-year or 25-year warranty.
How Long Does Carpet Last in a Rental?
After housing a tenant for a fraction of time, most carpets in a rental need to be replaced after a minimum of five years. If a tenant has a pet, children, or has significantly damaged carpet flooring, expect the rental carpet to last even less, needing a replacement after two to three years.
Here are more carpet ideas! Check them out -
It was helpful when you explained that the location of the carpet and how often we clean it will affect how long it lasts. According to my knowledge, this can be especially influential when discussing carpet in office buildings or other commercial areas. It’s really important to have high traffic areas cleaned regularly to extend the life of the carpet as much as possible.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful article loaded with information. I have a question for you, Recently I clean my carpet perfectly, but now, it makes smells like urine. What can I do to remove this bad smell?