Choosing the right carpet is crucial to getting the right feel, color, and long-lasting design. If you have children or pets (or both!), the wrong carpet could be ruined within a few minutes of the first glass of juice being toppled or the dog rushing in the mud. But with the right rug, the whole family can relax and enjoy the space together without worrying.
As carpet is such an expensive decision, you need to have as much information as possible to ensure that you get the right carpet for your needs and can be sure that it will last as long as possible. Carpet is an investment in your house, so you should only shop for it every few decades or so—if not longer!
Shaw Industries Group supplies a wide range of different carpets covering all the basic needs you could think of. They also provide hardwood floors, laminate, vinyl, and tiles, so whatever you prefer, you will find it here. But, with 377 carpet styles offered, Shaw offers a natural diversity of choice for your perfect rug.
While not every carpet will be perfect for every space, and each room will require slightly different things, many Shaw carpets appear hard-wearing and generally suitable for families, including pets and children. To better understand what you can expect, we’ve broken the carpets down to look at the colors, patterns, textures, materials, and backings that can determine how you choose your rug.
By evaluating the carpets this way, you, too, should get an idea of what is on offer and what you are likely to need. Of course, when choosing a carpet, you should always see it in-store and look at a sample in your home at different times of the day and in different areas of the selected room. Doing this will ensure you are pleased with the carpet and enjoy your purchase.
A Color for Every Scheme
When you decide upon a carpet, the color is likely your first consideration. While cream may look chic and beautiful in a modernist apartment, families should consider other colors that are less likely to reveal stains that may occur over the years.
Shaw carpets come in a wide range of colors, including:
- Beige
- Blue
- Brown
- Gold
- Grey
- Green
- Orange
- Red
- Violet
All these colors suit modern tastes and will fit nicely with your desired color scheme. Plus, many of these colorways are available with flecks of other colors, creating a much softer look that is even better at disguising stains, muck, and dust. This is ideal for busy families, and if you are furnishing a house for let, it is also suitable for disguising stains caused by renters.
Having so many different shades is also a bonus, as it means you can get precisely what you are looking for, not just the closest thing. Please take a few swatches home and try them out in different areas of your room to see how the light affects each one. This method is suitable for any big decorating project, as it will likely change your mind about what you like. Remember that color will look quite different in a brightly lit warehouse compared to your softer home lighting.
Every Pattern You Could Wish For
Plain carpets are probably the most popular, as they provide a neutral backdrop to help your furniture stand out and keep the room feeling nice and calm. However, the correct pattern can help your interior design and create an entirely new feel.
All kinds of patterns are available, from sizeable tropical leaf patterns that will fit the rainforest trends in interior design to more modernist carpets with delicate chevron patterns that gently lead the eye around the room. Each pattern is also available in several different colorways so that whatever you are looking for, you won’t be disappointed.
While many patterns are created using different shades or colors, some, such as All At Once, are created using different thicknesses and densities of loops. This is a lovely way to create a new texture, develop the pattern, and add a new dimension to the carpet’s experience. Under bare feet, you can feel and see the rug pattern.
Texture and Feel
Just as many textures are created through pattern, it is essential to understand that a carpet’s texture is also dependent on the combination of fibers used and the method for making the carpet. For example, some carpets are thickly piled with long strands of yarn to create a sinking feeling as you step forward, whereas others use close-wound loops to create a much thinner but ultimately stronger carpet.
The texture you choose will depend mainly upon where you put your carpet. In an area of high traffic, a thicker, denser carpet will show less wear over the years, but in areas used slightly less, such as your living room, a long-pile carpet will provide warmth and comfort. So, in your hallways, you should look for a looped carpet ideally made of nylon for the longest-lasting high quality. However, a softer polyester in your bedroom will probably be fine.
Shaw offers loop and twist-style carpets in many different styles so that you can choose the right type for the area it will go for. However, their website does not give any details about the depth of the carpet piles, so you would have to go and visit a store to get the details you are looking for. Remember that if you plan to open a door over a carpet, you may need to alter the door to move it more efficiently over a thicker carpet.
Which Material is Best?
Carpets can be made from all kinds of different materials, but wool has traditionally been used for the best combination of warmth, softness, and durability. In our modern era, artificial materials have been introduced to carpet production and, in many cases, have superseded traditional materials and methods. Synthetic materials are much cheaper but can also hold bright, bold colors without risking fading or sun-bleaching over the years.
Shaw offers carpets made from several materials, including:
- Anso Nylon
- Cleartouch Polyester
- R2X Nylon
- Stainmaster Nylon
Polyester
Polyester is a popular material for carpets, especially if you want a long-lasting, bold color that will resist fading and stains. Cleartouch polyester is a design created by Shaw to make the most of this material and bring new, beautiful designs to their customers. On balance, polyester is a good and relatively eco-friendly way of making a carpet, and as it can be woven in different ways, it provides plenty of various textures and patterns, too.
While polyester is not as durable as nylon, these carpets should withstand the activities of the average family. If not, you can use your warranty to get a different rug that is better suited to your home.
Nylon
Nylon is one of the most durable artificial materials for carpets, and the Anso, R2X, and Stainmaster are all ideal for any family home. Though many nylon carpets are not exceptionally stain-resistant, Shaw treats them to improve resistance and keep the color in top condition.
The premium brand, Anso, is designed with comfort in mind, and the soft fibers are perfect for a bedroom or living area. This type of material is excellent for improving the warmth of a room and creates instant insulation for better energy efficiency. The Anso carpet has been Cradle to Cradle Silver certified for its positive impact on people and the environment.
Which Backing Should I Choose?
Carpet backing is the underpart that you shouldn’t be able to see. Generally, this part hides all the stitching required to make the carpet and holds it together. Shaw lists three types of backing, but Soft Bac does not show results. The other types are LifeGuard and Classic Bac.
The classic carpet backing does precisely what you expect, but LifeGuard adds something new. As a waterproof backing, LifeGuard makes this type of carpet suitable for spaces where water spillage is likely, such as the bathroom and the kitchen. It would be great if you prefer carpet in these rooms but are worried about mold growing because the carpet fibers will not absorb any liquid.
The LifeGuard layer also helps to protect your carpet underlay from any water damage by creating a seal between the layers, just as vinyl would. But the real advantage is that you wouldn’t know anything was different about the carpet until you knocked over a drink.
Always Active
Some carpets Shaw sells are labeled as ‘Always Active,’ indicating that these are the best places for families with young children and pets. As these carpets tend to be harder to wear, they will last much longer and put up with the harsher treatment expected from boisterous pets and children.
Pets and children are probably the most likely sources of chaos for your carpet, knocking things over and dragging in the muck. Knowing that your carpet has been designed for this kind of abuse is very reassuring. Rather than constantly worrying that the rug is about to be ruined, you can relax knowing that the high quality you paid for is assured.
Shaw Carpet – Made in the USA
Another benefit of Shaw carpets is that all fibers and carpets are made entirely in the USA. This is good because it makes the carpets much more environmentally friendly as far less transportation is required. Being made in the USA is also a statement about the high-quality Shaw consistently endeavors to provide.
Shaw Carpet Review | The Verdict
Given Shaw’s wide range of carpets, including many different colors, textures, patterns, and waterproof carpets, this could be an excellent place to start your carpet hunt and refine your needs.
Unfortunately, not all carpet styles can be made waterproof, so while you have a wide choice of other carpets, you have a smaller selection if you are looking specifically for the kitchen or bathroom. However, given the success of LifeGuard, it seems to be worth the investment, even if you have to compromise on the color and pattern.
Furthermore, as some of the website’s functions make the online store quite tricky to navigate, you need to see the carpet and speak to someone in-store to find out all the details about each product. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing—you should always feel a rug before you buy it anyway—but it does mean that what might look perfect online may not work. You can order samples online if you so wish.
Overall, Shaw carpet’s best selling points are its variety and quality, and seeing so many different colors and patterns in the same place is an excellent opportunity to grab. Please take advantage of the free samples and take them home to make your overall decision.