Finding the right carpet involves more than just running your hands -- or feet -- over a few showroom samples.

You'll be exposed to a variety of unusual terms:

·        twists and tufts

·        pile height

·        continuous filaments and, of course,

·        noncontinuous filaments

Then there is the density and how that affects the durability. And, whether the stain resistant material is part of the fibers or was merely applied topically.

Sound confusing? It is. Wait until you read the article about vacuuming every day.

The easiest way to approach this decision is to push aside the terminology and first consider:

·         What is your lifestyle?

·         Which rooms will you be carpeting?

·         How long do you plan to live in the house?

·         Do you have pets and small children?

Your answers will go a long way in determining whether you need carpeting that offers tremendous durability or something that helps create a look of elegance.

There are three basic types of carpeting and many styles and colors within each:

·         Plush- a straight, sheered cut that is the most common carpet offered. It has a formal style, but it will show dirt, along with those frequent vacuum marks.

·         Berber- a looped, piled product with a dense surface. It is the style most often recommended when the situation calls for durability, such as in a family room or children’s play room. Berber has a more casual look than plush. Most Berber is made of olefin, a soil-resistant fiber that is better able to repel liquids than other fibers.

·         Textured- often called "tractless," this carpet has tightly crimped yarns and a less formal look than plush carpet. The term tractless is misleading, as it was originally meant to describe carpet that shows tracks less than other plush shows tracks. It still does, however, show tracks.

More on Berber

Berber is easier to clean than plush, but it also requires frequent cleaning to remove dirt before it becomes wedged down into the fiber. Berber is also more time-consuming and, thus, expensive to install and requires a heavier padding to support it, said Jeff Johnson, the Midwest regional director of Calhoun, GA-based Mohawk Industries' Portico line of products.