Your budget and your needs are two key elements in selecting carpet and rugs. There is a wide range of choices and costs from which to make your selection. As yourself how long you expect to keep your carpet before replacing it. A better grade of carpet will give you a greater length of service than one of lesser quality. Buy the best carpet you can afford for the heavy traffic areas of your home - halls, stairs, family rooms. A medium grade will provide good services in rooms with less traffic - bedrooms and guest rooms.

Ask your retailer to give you a complete cost estimate - one that includes cushion, installation, moving furniture, and any special needs that you may have. Keep in mind that a high-quality, professional installation can extend the life of your purchase.

Textures: Carpet construction - how the yarn is "tufted" or locked into a backing - affects its texture and ultimately, the long-term durability and appearance of the carpet.

Level loop pile: Loops of equal height. Generally offers long-lasting wear for high-traffic areas. Many of today's popular Berbers are level loop.

Multi-level loop: Usually has two or three different loop heights to create pattern effects. Provides good durability.

Cut pile: Loops are cut, leaving individual yarn tufts. Still one of today's most popular constructions, its durability is achieved with factors including the type of fober, density of tufts, and the amount of twist in the yarn.

• Velvets - Smooth, level surfaces; formal atmosphere.
• Saxonies - Various surface finishes; versatile performance and appearance.
• Textures - Informal atmosphere; suitable for whole house application. Minimizes footprints.

Cut and loop pile: Combination of cut and looped yarns.  Provides variety of surface textures, including sculptured effects.

The type of fiber used and the way the carpet is constructed (loop, cut, etc.) determines the basic performance of teh carpet. Quality can be enhanced by the way the fibers, or yarns, are twisted and heat set, and by the density of the tufts.

• Density: Refers to the amount of pile yarn in the carpet and the closeness of the tufts. The denser, the better.
• Twist: The winding of the yarn around itself. Should be neat and well-defined. A tighter twist provides enhanced durabillity.
• Heat-setting: The process that sets the twist by heat or steam, enabling yarns to hold their twist over time. Important in cut pile carpet. Most nylon, olefin and polyester cut pile carpets are heat-set.