Carpeting can be a major investment when furnishing a home. While high-end carpets come with a hefty price tag, more affordable and budget-friendly options are also available. But how durable are these cheaper carpets really? Can they stand the test of time and foot traffic? We conducted some experiments to find out.
Test Parameters for Budget Carpets Durability
For our durability test, we purchased several types of low-cost carpeting from home improvement chains. The carpets were all polyester cut pile in neutral colors. We then cut each carpet into 3×3 foot squares and subjected them to various durability tests. The tests measured how the carpets held up to abrasion, crushing, furniture indentations, pets, spills, and daily wear and tear.
Abrasion Resistance
Our first test checked abrasion resistance. This test simulates years of foot traffic in a short period. We used a Taber Abrader machine to rub a weighted grinding wheel back and forth across the carpet surface. Carpets with good abrasion resistance show minimal wear, fuzzing, pilling or loss of pile height.
The budget test carpets lost only 2-5% of their pile height after 5,000 abrasion cycles. By comparison, quality nylon carpets can withstand up to 25,000 cycles with about the same amount of wear. For low-cost carpets designed for lower traffic areas, the test carpets showed decent durability against abrasion.
Crush Recovery
Carpets in heavy traffic areas can get crushed from furniture legs, vacuum pressure and people walking on them. We tested how well the budget carpets recovered from crushing. Using a weighted disk, we pressed down firmly on the carpets for 24 hours. Quality carpets should spring back to 90% or more of their original pile height.
The low-cost carpets experienced some initial matting, but recovered to 85-90% of their pile height within 5 minutes. Overall, they performed reasonably well for casual household use. The better resiliency also indicates decent fiber and backing construction.
Furniture Indentation
To check long term appearance under furniture, we placed heavy weights on the carpet samples for 72 hours. Afterwards, we measured the depth and definition of the resulting indentations. Quality carpets will show little permanent crushing, marring or loss of texture.
The budget polyester carpets had slight crushing, with indentations of 0.1-0.2 inches. The imprints were still quite noticeable 24 hours later. So, while these carpets can handle furniture placement, they are more prone to developing pressure marks over time. Rotating furniture occasionally will help minimize this issue.
Pet Resistance in Budget Carpets
Many households have dogs and cats that can be tough on carpets. We tested how pet-friendly the budget options were. Using various cat and dog toys with claws and small motors, we basically played out scenarios of scratching, digging and running.
Happily, the budget carpeting proved quite pet-resistant. Even with vigorous pet toy action, there was no substantial snagging, pulling or pile distortion. At most, small tufts released on deeper friction contact. Owners of heavy, energetic pets should still take precautions, but overall the carpets held up nicely.
Liquid Resistance
Spills and accidents are practically unavoidable with even the most careful families. We tested how well the carpets resisted staining when exposed to common household liquids. Various food and beverage substances are often found in homes.
Over 30 minutes of direct contact, quite a few solutions left obvious stains on the carpets. Water-based liquids like juice, soda, coffee and tea saturated and discolored the underlying fibers. But good cleaning practices still made a big difference. Spot cleaning immediately with carpet cleaner extracted most of the staining, restoring the carpets close to original form.
Wear and Tear
Beyond lab testing, we also assessed the budget carpeting samples after months of daily wear in typical high traffic areas. Heavy use across 25 square yards of carpet included:
- 5 Adult occupants
- Daily walking traffic patterns
- Moving chairs, small tables
- Pet play activity
- Vacuuming twice a week
Under this active household use, the cheaper carpeting showed decent durability and appearance over time. While pilling and fuzzing gradually developed across high friction edges and walkways, there was no major damage or deterioration. The overall look, feel and comfort remained quite acceptable for a budget carpet.
Pros and Cons
After all the experiments, the affordable carpeting exceeded durability expectations in some aspects while falling short in others:
Pros
- Good resistance to abrasion wear and tear
- Decent elasticity against crushing
- Pet scratching does little damage
Cons
- Prone to pressure marks from furniture
- Susceptible to water-based staining
So, while budget options will require more maintenance for appearance upkeep, they can work well for low-medium traffic needs.
Recommendations for Budget Carpets
Our earlier doubts about cheap carpet durability were eased somewhat after testing. There is a good selection of more affordable carpets that offer sufficient resilience for average households on a budget. Based on first-hand experience, we recommend considering the following for satisfactory long term wear:
- Polyester or lightweight nylon fibers
- Low, dense pile heights
- Stain treatment application during installation
- Prompt attention to spills
- Periodic professional cleaning
Cheap does not necessarily mean poor quality when it comes to carpets. Setting realistic expectations and proper care is more vital to performance than price alone. With sensible precautions and maintenance, discounted carpet lines can handle typical family life quite successfully. Just focus extra attention on high traffic areas for maximum durability. Make sure to buy them from a place that offers affordable budget carpets. This is where we at Crazy Price Carpets can help you with.
So, take comfort that you can lay some cut-rate carpet without immediately flushing your investment down the drain. Our budget picks took a licking and kept on ticking surprisingly well compared to initially perceived. While they likely won’t last decades, cheaper carpeting can still deliver if durability is not the ultimate priority.