Carpet prices can be compared based on several factors including the pile of the carpet, room size, and cost of installation. The pile of the carpet refers to the thickness or density of fibers used to weave the carpet. Special sale price offers by retailers and necessary shipping costs for products ordered online can also affect a comparison of carpet costs.
Choosing between natural or synthetic fiber pile is often a deciding factor in carpet cost. Natural products often cost more than those made of synthetic materials because natural fibers cannot be mass-produced. Synthetic carpet fibers, however, tend to be more stain and chemical resistant. The density of the pile may also affect the price. Generally, the denser the pile, the more raw material needed to manufacture the carpet and, thus, a higher price.
Room size often determines carpet prices because larger rooms have more floor to cover. Carpet is commonly priced by the square foot, and wall-to-wall carpet typically requires more square feet of carpet than an area rug. Rugs are often created from carpet remnants, and usually have finished edges to deter fraying. Area rugs can vary in size, standard rugs may range from two by three feet (approximately 0.6 m by 0.9 m) to more than 12 feet by 18 feet (about 3.7 m by 5.5 m).
The cost of carpet installation may vary from store to store. Some retailers include carpet installation in the total cost, while others may charge an additional fee to remove old carpet or install new flooring. Area rugs usually require no professional installation and are transported by the buyer. Large rugs may need to be delivered and can be installed like carpet.
Purchasing carpet online can be a cost-effective option. When purchased online, such flooring is often delivered and installed by a subcontracted, third party company. Sometimes shipping and installation costs bring the final carpet prices to that of physical stores. Since the carpet cannot be touched or viewed in person when bought online, the consumer may choose to pay retail prices in order to select carpeting in person.
Carpet prices can vary from state to state and country to country. If the product is imported, the price may be higher than that of the same carpet in the country where it was designed and manufactured. Other variables that may affect carpet prices can include designing trends, customer popularity, and shipping costs.