Carpet Installers in Portland, OR

Portland Carpet Installation

In Portland, carpet installation is one of the most common flooring projects in the home improvement industry. The soft, forgiving nature of carpet creates a relaxing atmosphere in your home. Carpet is great for bedrooms, living and family rooms, dining rooms, hallways, and other areas of the home that aren't subjected to constant exposure to dirt or water. From Sherwood to Hillsboro, Gresham to Beaverton, and throughout the greater Portland area, HomeAdvisor has helped homeowners find the right carpet installation contractors for their project.

Unfortunately, there are a few drawbacks that come with carpet installation. Portland is known for its moisture-rich environment, and the tracked in water, dirt particles, and other shoe-clinging debris can spell trouble if you're not careful. Those who want soft flooring in their homes shouldn't worry, however! If properly chosen and cared for, a Portland carpet installation is likely to last for decades, and look good doing it, too!

Choosing a Fiber
Nothing else will have as great an impact on the quality (and the cost) of your carpet as the fiber you choose. Natural wool fiber is the most expensive and is generally considered the best. As wool fibers become saturated with dirt and grime, they shed which helps to keep your carpet clean, healthy, and vibrant. You'll still need to vacuum and periodically steam clean your carpet, but as long as you keep up with your carpet maintenance, you can keep wool carpet like new for many years. Nylon is the closest synthetic approximation to wool and is, by far, the most popular choice of carpet fiber. Less expensive than wool, but more expensive than other synthetics, nylon is a great financial compromise. Polyester, acrylic, and olefin round out the more common synthetic fibers.

Choosing a Pad
Strictly speaking, you don't absolutely need a pad for your carpet, but without one your chances of keeping your flooring attractive for decades becomes slim. When planning a high-traffic carpet installation, Portland homeowners should be aware that an un-padded carpet could wear out in well under ten years!

When choosing a carpet pad, many homeowners assume that thickness is the most important quality. In fact, what you should really be looking at is the padding's density. Thick, low-density padding will deteriorate with the pressure and stress of foot traffic and furniture. Of course, thick, high-density padding will be durable while creating a soft, plush feel, but it will also cost more.

Cost of Installation
The cost of carpet installation will fluctuate with these choices and, naturally, the size of the project. The average project runs about $1,600, but can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. Recently, we had one Portland homeowner spend as much as $5,000 on his Portland carpet installation. Of course, comparable tile installation can cost twice as much, and laminate and hardwood flooring can cost three times as much. Ironically, if you expect your carpet to take a lot of abuse, you may actually want to consider cheaper carpeting and plan on replacing it sooner. Pets and children can wear out even the best carpet, whereas if you plan on taking care of your carpet, the extra expense of a quality carpet may be worth it. A high-end, well-maintained carpet may last 10 years or more.

Contractors
When looking for new carpet, too many homeowners head to their nearest carpet outlet store. Television commercials advertising dubious promotions and stores with pushy, commission-based salesmen rarely lead to the best choice of carpet for your home. By contacting an independent Portland carpet installation contractor, you can hear unbiased advice about different carpet products and manufacturers. These installation contractors frequently receive discounts from manufacturers, but they won't be swayed by unwanted leftovers. Like any other home improvement, automatically seeking out the lowest bid frequently results in a substandard installation. At the very least, solicit estimates from our reliable, prescreened contractors in addition to any local retail stores. Keep in mind, too, that some retail stores are known to overcharge for installation, so be sure to look at total costs before you make a final decision.

Carpet Recycling
In a city as progressive as Portland, carpet installation is not complete unless you take the time to responsibly dispose of your old carpet. Thankfully, many installation companies now offer transportation of your old carpeting to an appropriate recycling facility. In Portland, carpet recycling is more common than it is in some other places, and the likelihood that you will find an installation company who offers recycling is high. While carpet recycling may be offered up front, if it is not, ask your installers if it is available. Homeowners should also be aware that many Portland carpet recycling centers are also able to recycle carpet padding. By offering large scale carpet recycling, Portland is proving that its reputation for eco-friendliness isn't just hype. Taking advantage of this service is the responsible thing to do, and in many cases it won't add to the total cost of your project!