Carpet and Flooring FAQ's

How much does new carpet cost?

The cost of new carpet depends on several factors, including the material type, accessories, installation, and any additional services required.

Carpet materials range from budget polypropylene to premium nylon and wool. Accessories may include new underlay (recommended), door bars, and trims. Installation costs can vary depending on whether services such as moving furniture, uplift, and disposal of old flooring are required.

The material you choose, along with accessories and installation services, will affect both the price per square metre and the overall cost of your new carpet.

What type of carpet material is best for me?

This depends on the room, level of use, your expectations, and budget.

 For high-traffic areas such as stairs and hallways, wool and nylon carpets perform best over time, although they are more expensive. A low, tight-pile polypropylene carpet is the most durable option within the polypropylene range.

 For low-traffic areas such as bedrooms, you may wish to consider a deeper or softer pile for added comfort.

What carpet materials are available?

Common carpet materials include: Wool, Nylon, Polyester, Polypropylene and Natural fibres (such as sisal).

Each material differs in appearance, feel, durability, and price. For more detail, please see our Carpet Buyer’s Guide.

What carpet styles and pile types are available?

Typical carpet styles include: Twist pile, Loop pile, Saxony, Velvet and Flatweave.

Each carpet type offers different looks, comfort levels, durability, and budgets. Read more in our Carpet Buyer’s Guide.

Should I replace my underlay when fitting new carpet?

Yes, we strongly recommend replacing your underlay when installing new carpet. This ensures both products wear evenly and helps you achieve the maximum lifespan and comfort from your new carpet.

We recommend a high-quality, high-density underlay for the best performance.

What is the average lifespan of a carpet?

The lifespan of a carpet varies depending on the quality of the carpet and underlay, the area it is installed, and the level of foot traffic.

For example, a premium wool or nylon carpet installed in a bedroom (low traffic) will last significantly longer and retain its appearance better than a budget polypropylene carpet fitted on stairs in a busy family home.

Which carpets are best for busy households with children and pets?

For long-term durability, wool and nylon carpets perform best. However, for ease of cleaning, polypropylene and some polyester carpets are ideal, as they can be cleaned with products containing bleach.

Carpets with a flecked, heathered, or multi-tonal design are also better at hiding dust, dirt, and stains than plain, light-coloured carpets.

What type of vacuum cleaner (hoover) is best for my carpet?

There are two main types of vacuum cleaners: those with and those without a beater (rotating) bar.

Twist, Saxony, and velvet carpets: A beater bar helps lift the pile, remove dust, and maintain appearance.

Loop pile carpets: A vacuum without a beater bar is recommended, as rotating bars can cause pilling (surface fluffing).

Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions for your specific carpet.

Is carpet suitable for underfloor heating?

Yes, carpet can be used with underfloor heating. You will need to check the maximum tog rating of your heating system (most allow up to 2.5 tog) and ensure the combined tog rating of the carpet and underlay does not exceed this limit.

Are carpets better than hard flooring options?

Carpets offer several benefits over hard flooring, including:

• • • Improved insulation
    • Reduced noise
    • Increased comfort underfoot
    • Potentially lower overall cost (depending on product quality)

Are carpets cheaper than hard flooring?

In most cases, carpets are more cost-effective than hard flooring, especially in larger area’s. Hard floors often require additional subfloor preparation, which increases costs.

Carpet and underlay can help mask minor subfloor imperfections, whereas hard floors require a much smoother surface. Larger imperfections may still show through carpet over time, particularly in high-traffic areas.

Should you wish to discuss any of the information provided further, click here to contact us or visit us in store.

Should you wish to discuss any of the information provided further, click here to contact us or visit us in store.