Laying new carpet around the home

Choosing a new carpet for your home may initially appear to be daunting, as the choice of carpet styles, textures and constructions has never been greater.

Like any fashion, carpet trends come and go and some styles are more functional than others. So consider where the carpet will be laid – in a heavy traffic area like a family room or hallway, or a lighter traffic area such as a dining room or spare bedroom.

If you intend carpeting the whole house in the same carpet, establish your most demanding wear situations and select a carpet that will stand up to that traffic.

"Look for carpets that have been independently graded by the Australian Carpet Classification Scheme (ACCS)," advises Allan Firth, the CEO of the Carpet Institute of Australia. The ACCS is a national grading scheme covering all types of carpet and all carpet fibres.

It has a six-star residential classification and four-star rating scheme for commercial or contract carpets. The more stars the better the carpet’s durability and appearance-retention properties.

Allan points out that carpet is the preferred floor covering choice in Australia and for good reasons. Décor versatility, comfort, warmth, the safety of a non-slip surface, and noise reduction are just some of the benefits that carpet offers.

In addition, carpet has a positive impact on indoor air quality by absorbing some toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde. Carpets also help to purify the air we breathe by trapping in the fibre mass a range of inhalable substances, called allergens, which have been linked to asthma and other respiratory problems.

A recent scientific study conducted by the German Asthma and Allergy Bund found that carpet reduces dust in the air to half that found with hard flooring.

Once you have purchased your carpet, it’s important to have it installed by skilled tradespeople. Your retailer can advise you on the placement of seams and joins.

Carpet on stairs wears more quickly than other areas, so it's a good idea to buy enough extra carpet to redo the stairs at some point. If replacing old carpet, don’t reuse your existing underlay because it will most likely have the same wear patterns as the carpet.

Once your carpet is installed, the National Upholstery and Carpet Cleaners Association suggests vacuuming once to twice a week, and having it professionally cleaned every 18 months to help retain its appearance for longer.

Contact a carpet layer to find out about installing new carpet at home: