Carpet Buying and Installation Guide for Australian Homes

Carpet Pile Types

• 1 Cut pile (plush/velvet): soft feel, shows footprints and vacuum marks — best for bedrooms
• 2 Loop pile (berber): durable, hides footprints — good for lounge rooms and stairs
• 3 Cut and loop: combines both — textured appearance, durable
• 4 Frieze (twist): tight twisted fibres, very durable, casual look — good for high traffic areas

Choosing the Right Fibre

• 1 Nylon: most durable, excellent stain resistance, takes dye well — best all-rounder
• 2 Wool: premium, naturally stain-resistant, biodegradable — expensive but beautiful
• 3 Polyester (PET): good stain resistance, economical, made from recycled materials — softer than nylon
• 4 Polypropylene (Olefin): very affordable, moisture-resistant, fades faster than other fibres

Underlay: Don't Skip It

Quality underlay significantly extends carpet life and dramatically improves comfort underfoot. A cheap carpet on good underlay often feels better than an expensive carpet on cheap underlay. Specify: 10mm+ thickness for bedroom, 8mm+ for living areas. Rubber-based underlay lasts longer than PU foam. Budget: $8–$20/m².

Carpet on Stairs

Stair carpet installation is a specialist skill — it must wrap around the nosing correctly and be secured properly to prevent shifting. Carpet running the length of the stairs is most common; runner carpet (narrower than stair width) adds visual interest. Budget an additional $100–$200 per stair above standard floor-laying prices.