Nylon
Nylon is the most durable carpet fiber available. It is the carpet of choice for homes with pets and children and for those who entertain a lot. Perfect for heavy traffic in hallways and stairs.

Polyester
Polyester is known for its luxurious look, feel and wonderful selection of colors and styles. It's a good value for homes with a normal amount of traffic, although less durable and stain resistant than nylon.

Olefin
Olefin offers good stain and moisture resistance, but scores below nylon and polyester for wearability. It can be a good choice in loop pile construction although its colors and styles are limited.

Wool
Favored for its natural beauty. It has natural soil resistance quality, but is not stain resistant. Wool looks good for a long time and is constructed well, but may be too expensive for most people.

Choose quality construction
How long a carpet stays beautiful depends on how well it is made. Simply stated, better made carpet will last longer. The twist and density of the fibers affect carpet durability, appearance and price.

Twist
Twisting gives fiber strands the strength to stand up to crushing and cleaning. Thick fiber with a tight twist is a sign of high quality carpet.

Density
Density is how tightly the twisted fibers are packed together. The denser the carpet, the better the durability.

Choose the level of stain resistance
Again, consider how you live in each room. If you have kids, pets, high traffic areas or entertain a lot, you will want to choose a carpet with stain resistance. But that won't limit your choice of carpet styles and colors.

Select the Style and Color
Think of your floor as the fifth wall that connects all other design elements in the room. Consider the walls, window treatments and other furnishings when choosing a color scheme. Bring fabric and color samples with you.