You just had your lovely new carpet fitted, and it looks better than you imagined. Perfect! But you might ask, how long should my new carpet last? Generally, carpets have a lifespan of around 5 to 15 years; this depends on the type of carpet you have, how it is cared for and where it has been installed. Wear and tear can quickly reduce a carpet’s lifespan if over-used. Carpet has changed over the years due to technological advancements, but the lifespan remains the same.
What can you do to maximise the lifespan of your carpet? There are a few factors to consider when looking at this, so sit down, put your feet up and let’s get started. Our team here at QC Flooring have worked with carpets for several years; during this time, we have learnt a trick or two that might help you keep your carpet in good nick for a more extended period.
If, once you have read our latest blog post, you have any questions or queries, we are always more than happy to answer them; all you need to do is give one of us a call. You won’t find a team with expert knowledge of carpets like ours; we are always happy to help.
Age Of The Carpet
Like everything else in the world, the technological advancements in carpet making have improved dramatically over the last several years, giving modern-day carpets a lifespan of around 5-15 years. This may seem to most people that the time difference of ten years is quite a lot. However, it is purely based on various reasons, including the type of carpet you choose, where in your home or property it is installed and how it is cared for.
We repeatedly see that homes with pets and children have carpets that do not last as long as homes with single adults; it revolves around the environment where the carpet is installed. There is no sure way to say precisely how long a brand new carpet should last and at what age it will need replacing, but the easiest way to tell is the physical signs it is ready.
There are a few ways you can protect your carpet, no matter what age it is; our team here at QC Flooring have highlighted a few of these below; any guidance we can offer you to protect your carpet is essential to us, so please read on to find out more! Let us help you reach that 15-year mark with your brand-new carpet.
How Much Wear And Tear Is On The Carpet?
Your carpet may reach a quicker end should the wear and tear become quite bad; there is a range of reasons this can happen, but one of the most common is that the carpet is fitted in a high-footfall area. If your carpet gets damaged by minor cuts or fraying fibres, you will find that these will grow into significant problems that cannot be repaired over time. The wear of your carpet can be much more noticeable compared to a few cuts; for example, if your carpet has been installed in a home that has children and pets and is also a vibrant colour, you may find areas such as staircases will lose there colour quickly, this is due to the traffic that crosses the carpet at this point.
It must be said that faded and dulled carpet might not be a reason to change your new carpet, but over the years, it will progressively get worse and eventually, you will want to have a new one fitted. This would be a personal choice, a preference as such.
Our team have found over the years the most common places in the home you will find wear and tear on your brand new carpets are; entryways to your home, staircases and children’s bedrooms. Not only will wear and tear signs be more noticeable in these areas, but you might find ‘matting’ takes place; this is where the carpet looks flat and dull compared to in less used areas.
Do You Know How Often To Get Your Carpet Cleaned?
When you clean your home, it is more than likely that you take your time to make sure that all the surfaces are clean and free of dirt and debris, but what about your carpet? What cleaning do you carry out to do sure it is cared for? Most homeowners will run a hoover over their new carpets twice, maybe three times a week, if time allows, but did you know that hoovering your carpet simply is not enough to keep it clean?
We have all seen the amount of dust that can accumulate within a week between dusting; now imagine the same amount of dust and debris being caught between the fibres of your carpet; it doesn’t sound clean. Our team would always recommend that if you have had a new carpet installed and want to lengthen its lifespan, always use a professional carpet cleaner to remove any build-up.
Using a professional carpet cleaner means using a company or hiring a carpet cleaner and carrying out the deep cleaning yourself. Either way, we strongly recommend you get your carpet deep cleaned at the very least once a year, with family homes that include small children and pets every six months.
Do New Carpets Come With Warranties?
As with most products on the market, warranties are available on carpets; the manufacturer rather than the seller generally provides them. The manufacturer warranty has been designed through various tests carried out on each carpet; for example, if a carpet is expected to last around the ten years mark, the warranty would be placed to reach expiration at the 10-year mark.
Carpet manufacturers consider the length of warranties in depth; without doing so, it could become incredibly costly for their companies, significantly if carpets are damaged before the end of the warranty.
The warranties that the carpet companies write follow a set of general considerations; for example, carpet warranties do not cover stains from spilt food or drinks, and they can even be refused should the carpet not be regularly maintained. Each warranty varies from the last; it all depends on every manufacturer; for example, some companies will offer warranties that include a stained cover, usually if the carpet has been coated in stain-resistant products.
Over the years, we have found here at QC Flooring that, more often than not, the more expensive brands and manufacturers will have warranties that include stain resistance, fade-resistant and matting clauses, whereas carpets on the cheaper end of the spectrum do not. Sometimes they do not even have warranties at all; this is a decision each manufacturer makes per carpet.
What Are The Different Types Of Carpet?
A lot depends on your chosen carpet and how long it will last. A general rule of thumb is that you get what you pay for. If you are in our Milton Keynes carpet showroom, you will find a vast range of carpets to suit all budgets.
Do we expect the lower-priced ones to last as long as the higher-priced carpets? Potentially yes, but probably not. You will find that, on average, most carpets will last around ten years, maybe up to 5 years more if they are looked after, maybe up to 5 years less if not.
Every carpet is different, and so is every property they are installed into; there is no actual given time frame, more a suggested one of 5 to 15 years, which in the grand scheme of things is quite a broad timeframe.
There are three main types of carpet; cut pile, looped pile and cut-loop pile. Here at QC Flooring, we sell all three and other less common carpet types; if you want to purchase a carpet, speak to one of our team today!
Cut Pile
Cut Pile carpet is known for its high durability because of the large number of carpet fibres, which are twisted together to form a strong and hard-wearing shape. It can be both shag or velvet, frieze and plush.
The pile height shag and frieze are much higher but still have the cut style. You would typically find frieze and cable carpets in offices or places of work with high footfall as they minimise the wear from footprints. If you had Velvet, it would not stand the test of time with so many footprints and indentations, although it is still durable and looks great.
Loop Pile
This style is usually used in commercial and business premises due to its tightly bound fibres, offering great support for high-traffic areas. You will notice they spring back quickly into position when disturbed and probably has pretty, swirly patterns to hide any dirt and grime that might be visible otherwise.
This combines the above styles, giving durability and a great look and feel.
So Which Style Is Best?
There is no right or wrong answer to the question. It all depends on the user and what the carpet is to be used for. Is it for commercial use or domestic? What will the footfall be? A good carpet store should be able to advise you on the right carpet from a quick conversation, so contact them and have a chat; they won’t bite (or they shouldn’t anyway!).
Our friendly team of carpet experts at QC Flooring are on hand and happy to talk you through everything, and with many years of experience, you can be safe knowing we know what we are talking about.
We stock all the top brands, including Cavalier Carpets, Victoria Carpets, Cormar Carpets and Regency Carpets. As we mentioned before, some of these carpet brands may even come with a manufacturer’s warranty; we would recommend speaking to our team members on an individual base regarding the warranties. If you do it this way, we can give you specifics for each type of carpet.
What Type Of Carpet Might Last The Longest?
Carpet durability is mastered by many factors, most of which we have already touched upon, so how do you determine the correct type of carpet for you and your home? How do you work out which carpet will last you the longest?
One of the first things to consider is the fibre; having worked with carpets for several years, we have noticed that both Nylon and Wool last the longest. This is down to the weight and the density of the fibres once they have been woven into a carpet. Generally, you will find heavier weight and thicker carpets will always last longer than lightweight.
Carpets are designed by twisting fibres together to create a web of sorts, spreading across the canvas to make a thick and intertwined mess of material; a way of determining whether or not your carpet has a good twist level is to search for carpets that are labelled seven twists or more.
Another thing to consider when thinking about which carpet might last you longer is the colour; this might seem strange, but if you choose a light carpet and damage occurs, it will be much more noticeable than if it was a dark carpet. But either way, both will need constant care and attention to stay in the best possible condition. Remember to get the maximum number of years out of your brand-new carpet; you must take care of it!
Contact Us Today For More Help With Your New Carpets!
If you have any questions or queries, please get in touch today on 01908 378270 or visit our contact page, where one of our friendly team members will get back to you as soon as possible. Our team is more than happy to help you in any way we can, whether to help you purchase a new carpet or help you decipher how long your brand new carpets should last; we are always on hand to share our knowledge and expertise on carpets.
Do you have a spare hour or two? Why not head down to our store in Milton Keynes, where we can discuss your requirements in more detail? We look forward to seeing you soon!
