Many prefer carpet to hardwood or natural stone because of its cozy feel and low price point.

There are ways tokeep the cost downwhile ensuring you choosea carpetthat suits your needs.

Here, learn how to find cheaper carpeting for your home without sacrificing quality.

person holding a carpet swatch

The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian

However, nylon is also the most expensive synthetic carpet fiber.

Prices can be significantly higher for some high-quality options.

Consider choosing a less expensive fiber for your carpet.Polyesteris a great middle-priced option.

person holding carpet swatches

The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian

It has been around for a long time and is more durable than ever.

Polyester is naturally stain-resistant and comes in various styles and colors.

Olefin (polypropylene)is one of the cheapest carpet fibers to buy.

durable carpet fiber

The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian

Tip

When purchasing carpet on a budget for a small space, consider buying carpet remnants.

Choose a Durable Style

Any carpet style might last forever if you spend enough money on it.

For example, manyBerbersoffered at lower prices are still relatively durable.

in-stock carpet on a roll

The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian

Berbers often cost less because of the olefin fiber content and the production process.

All styles of carpet start as looped.

For cut piles, the tips of the loops are sheared off.

Blue runner rug half rolled and half unrolled on wood floor.

Aleksandr Zhurilo / Getty Images

Berbers do not need to undergo this step of the process, so they are less costly to produce.

Why are Berbers considered to be so durable?

This is because the strongest part of a fiber is the side rather than the top.

carpet underpad roll

The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian

Therefore, you are constantly walking on the strongest part of the fiber.

Friezeis another hardy style of carpet that generally offers good durability at a lower price.

Friezes consist of longer fibers with ahigh twist level, increasing the fiber strength.

carpet and underpad combination

The Spruce / Nanor Zinzalian

The fibers tend to lean over to the side because they are longer.

To help with your budget, avoid cut and loop styles.

Generally, these styles are more expensive and not as durable as those mentioned above.

Carpet-Remnants.JPG

The Spruce / Cheryl Simmons

Look for In-Stock

Manycarpet retailerscarry inventory with large rolls of carpet in their warehouses.

Retailers often purchase their inventory at discounted rates because they buy in bulk.

This translates into a better deal for you.

Chinese woman shopping for rugs in flea market

Hill Street Studios / Getty Images

you’re free to usually save some money by purchasing carpet that a dealer already has on hand.

This means you have a more limited selection of the styles and colors offered.

Carpet is also typically cheaper to buy online.

However, it’s essential to know what you’re getting.

This means they are the same product sold initially by the manufacturer and come with a full warranty.

Sometimes, dealers may carry “seconds,” which means second-quality goods.

These are not necessarily bad carpets.

The most common reason a carpet is deemed second-quality is color match.

However, the manufacturer can sell the product to a dealer at a deeply discounted rate.

If the color works for you, you might often score a great deal on the carpet.

However, the pad is essential to the carpet’s overall performance.

A good underpad can make a lower-quality carpet perform.

You don’t necessarily need to buy the highest grade of pad the retailer offers.

When working within a budget, you don’t need these extra features.

Just look for a durable pad that is suitable for your use.

The Kanga line of cushioned backing is a popular, contemporary version of this “all-in-one” product.

These carpets are very budget-friendly.

The carpet with the pad attached is generally less than the cost of purchasing the carpet and pad separately.

Avoid buying carpets in the late summer or fall season.

People usually consider doing home renovations before the holiday season sets in.

The factors determining the end cost are the space size, carpet material, and carpet pop in.

The room size that needs covering will account for the most significant swing in cost.

The range difference depends on the material selected and the cut or loop throw in.

Contractors often mark up the costs of materials by 50% to 75%.

Major home improvement stores and local carpeting companies may offer free installation with a minimum square footage purchase.

Rolls of carpet come in standard widths of 12 feet, 13.5 feet, and 15 feet.

Depending on the manufacturer, rolls can be 90 to 100 feet long.

Cheap carpets only last about one to five years.

In contrast, the best quality carpets last 15 to 25 years on average.

To save money on installing a carpet,install it yourself.

It’s cheaper to install vinyl flooring than carpeting.

How much does it cost to install or replace a carpet?HomeAdvisor.