
Finding the perfect carpet for your home, especially in a high-traffic area in the home, can be a gruelling task but it doesn’t have to be! There are a few things that one should consider when choosing carpet for a high-traffic area like a hallway.
When choosing a carpet for a high-traffic area such as a hallway, it is important to consider the type of carpet, carpet material, carpet durability, the cost, the colour of the area, where the carpet will go, how easily the carpet can be cleaned, and if a rug runner would work.
But how can you best determine the type of carpet and where you will want to place it around your home? There are many different factors that will help determine the best option for your carpet. Throughout the rest of this guide, I will help you determine the best option for you and your home.
What type of carpet is good for high traffic?
For high-traffic areas, you need a hard-wearing carpet that will hold up to the daily hustle and bustle.
Some carpets perform better in busy areas like the hallways, stairs, and common areas in the house.
When it comes to carpet material, wool, nylon and Triexta are good for high-traffic areas because they are durable and resist crushing.
In terms of the weave of the carpet, level loop pile carpets and twist pile carpets are most suitable because they are less likely to show imprints such as footprints and vacuum tracks. They are also easier to vacuum compared to other types of carpets.
In addition to the above, you might also want to consider a carpet that is stain-resistant and fade-resistant like solution-dyed nylon carpets. Unlike ordinary nylon fibres that are dyed after they are made, solution-dyed nylon is dyed before they are transformed into yarn so the colours are less likely to fade.
What to avoid? Plush pile carpets and carpets with long piles will show tracks so it is best to not use them in these areas.
What is the best carpet for high-traffic areas in a home?
Level Loop Pile carpets are deemed by many to be the most suitable carpet for high-traffic areas. Because they have low and tight loops, they won’t crush easily and dirt and spills don’t penetrate as well compared to other types of carpet.
How Much For Hallway Carpet?
The price of carpets varies depending on the type and material used. Prices start at around $22 and could go up to $90 per square metre. Wool carpets tend to be more expensive than synthetic carpets.
Carpet installation costs also vary per company. You can request quotes from carpet stores to get an estimate of the costs. Be sure to clarify what is included in the installation quote.
Here at Carpet One, we will provide you with the total installed pricing which includes professional installation and underlay.
How long does a high-traffic carpet last?
The lifespan of a carpet range from five to 15 years, depending on the material, the quality of the original product and the conditions the carpet has been subjected to.
You can expect that carpets in high-traffic areas will wear down sooner than the carpets in the other parts of the house.
While there is no exact way to determine when your carpets will give up, there are some signs you can watch out for to tell whether the carpet needs replacing.
If your carpet has a stain that won’t go away no matter how you clean it and you’ve run out of creative ways to hide the stain, it is time to consider replacing the carpet. An odour that won’t go away may be a sign that your carpet has moulds and needs to be replaced. Loss of cushioning, matting, and threadbare patches mean that the carpet has reached the end of its life.
What is the toughest type of carpet?
Solution dyed nylon carpets
Nylon carpets are durable, water resistant, and easy to clean. Carpets made from solution-dyed nylon are even better because they are resistant to fading. They are a great option for high-traffic areas and for any part of the home.
Polyester carpets
Polyester carpets are not as durable as nylon but they do hold up well for a long time. They are also water and stain-resistant making them easier to clean. Spills on polyester carpets can be wiped off easily. Compared to nylon, polyester carpets are softer to feel.
Triexta carpets
Triexta is a relatively new type of fibre noted for its durability and stain resistance. The fibre is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. Triexta fibres are also very soft.
Wool carpets
Wool carpets are known to last longer than synthetic carpets. It is also naturally flame-resistant. But wool carpets are typically more expensive than synthetic ones.
What types of carpets are easy to clean?
A weekly vacuum is usually enough to keep your carpets clean. But carpets in high-traffic areas may need to be vacuumed more often.Â
The problem is when spills and stains happen. It’s a good thing though that many carpets today are stain-resistant. This helps delay the time it takes for dirt and spills to settle in the carpet fibres.
Synthetic carpets have excellent stain-resistant properties. Polyester, polypropylene, and Triexta are naturally resistant to water. Nylon is usually treated to make it water-resistant. Wool carpets are likewise water-resistant so they are easy to clean too.
Compared to cut pile carpets, loop pile carpets are easier to vacuum and clean because of the way it is constructed. Spills and dirt tend to sit on top of the loop. In contrast, cut pile carpets can allow liquid and dirt to penetrate deeper into the pile.
Aside from regular vacuuming and spot cleaning, it is recommended that you have your carpet professionally cleaned annually.
What Kind Of Carpet Should You Use For Your Hallway?
Hallways have a lot of foot traffic so it is important to choose a carpet that will stand up to daily use. Synthetic carpets including solution dyed nylon, polypropylene, and Triexta are durable and good for use in the hallways. Wool and wool blend carpets are also great for hallways because they are resilient.
What Color Carpet For Stairs And Hallway?
Ideally, the colour of your hallway carpet is the same colour as your bedroom or living room carpets to help create a more unified look in your home. If your hallway carpet is to adjoin another flooring product, make sure that the tones blend together.Â
If your hallway is narrow and doesn’t receive natural light, a light-coloured or mid-toned carpet is a better choice to help create an illusion of space.Â
We have some fantastic resources to help you choose colours and styles. We have a great selection of style lookbooks that showcase modern designs, flooring and colour schemes.
Can You Put A Rug Runner Over Carpet In A Hallway?
While you could put a rug runner over a carpeted hallway, it isn’t the ideal option for everyone. If you do decide to use the rug runner then you are going to have an easy and inexpensive way to update your wall-to-wall carpet while adding comfort and protection.
Be careful though when you are putting a rug over any sort of stairs, ensure it is properly secured to prevent injury.
Can Thick Pile Carpet Go In Hallway?
While thick pile carpet feels very lovely to walk on, it is not the most ideal for high-traffic areas. This is because the thick, long, strands of carpeting make it harder to clean.Â
High-traffic areas speed up the rate of wear and tear, so this deterioration would happen much faster if the carpet was used in a hallway as opposed to something like a bedroom or living room.
What Carpets Shouldn’t Be Used for the Hallway?
There are several types of carpet that should not be used in a hallway, this is primarily because they are either not durable enough for a high-traffic area like a hallway or they are too difficult to maintain for high traffic.
One of these types of carpets is Shag Carpet. Although it is a very comfy choice, it is not very easy to clean or maintain which would make it very ineffective as a carpet in an area that is walked on a lot.
As the previous section suggests, Thick Pile carpet is not ideal for hallways because it wears out decently fast in comparison to other types.
Is It Possible To Replace Just The Carpet On The Stairs And In The Hallway?
It is possible to replace the carpet on just the stairs and hallway but it would be a little bit of a tedious process. It is recommended by many that if you are wanting to do this, you should hire a professional. This is because if you can imagine a set of carpeted stairs, the carpet bends and folds to reach every crevice and this is not the easiest process. It requires a lot of detail and accuracy to ensure that the carpet is even, straight, and doesn’t get easily pulled away from the staircase foundation.
Another thing to consider when thinking about installing carpet on just the stairs and hallway is the surrounding carpet. If you have carpeted areas in the house that will be met by the stairway and hallway carpet, it is probably best that these materials match each other. This is important because having two different types of carpet that meet each other would look kind of tacky, even something like a change in colour just doesn’t look right. You want the design in your home to look intentional and clean, the flooring and general interior design should have a flow that is smooth and easy on the eyes.
LOOKING FOR A HARD-WEARING CARPET FOR BUSY AREAS IN YOUR HOME?
If your carpet needs to be replaced or you just want to update your home flooring, Carpet One offers high-quality carpets and professional carpet installation.
To find out more, feel free to visit your local Carpet One store and our experts will be ready to guide you in choosing the best product for your needs.