Choosing the Right Carpet: A Complete Northern Michigan Buyer’s Guide
At Kiss Carpet Design Center, we’ve helped thousands of families in Mancelona, Traverse City, Harbor Springs, Petoskey, Gaylord, and all across Northern Michigan pick carpet that looks beautiful and performs perfectly for 15–20+ years. Here are the exact questions we ask every customer (and the answers you need) so you choose the perfect carpet the first time.
8 Key Considerations When Selecting New Carpet
- Budget – Great carpet starts around $3.50/sq ft installed and goes up from there. We help you find the best value at every price point.
- Allergies & Asthma – See the full section below – modern carpet can actually be healthier than hard floors when chosen and maintained correctly.
- Color Vibrancy – Want bold or soft tones? Some fibers hold color better than others.
- Traffic Level – Kids, pets, lake cottages, or a quiet formal living room? The answer changes everything.
- Soil & Sun Exposure – Cottages near sand dunes or south-facing rooms with big windows need extra protection.
- Spill Likelihood – Families with young kids or pets love permanent built-in stain resistance.
- Maintenance Time – Some carpets only need weekly vacuuming; others benefit from occasional professional cleaning.
- Light in the Room – Strong sunlight can fade carpet quickly unless the fiber is solution-dyed.
How Carpet Affects Allergies & Asthma (2025 Updated Science)
Good news: today’s carpet is often the healthiest choice for allergy and asthma sufferers.
- Independent studies show quality carpet traps dust, pollen, and pet dander and keeps it out of the breathing zone until vacuumed away (hard floors let allergens stay airborne longer).
- Look for Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label Plus – the strictest standard for low VOC emissions.
- Best fibers for allergies: Nylon and SmartStrand® – both resist mold, mildew, and dust mites and clean easily.
- Pair with a sealed HEPA-filter vacuum and professional hot-water extraction every 12–18 months.
Hundreds of our Northern Michigan families tell us their allergy symptoms actually improved after switching to modern carpet with proper care.
Carpet Fibers Compared – Which One Is Right for Your Home?
| Fiber | Best For | Softness | Stain Resistance | Durability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon | All traffic areas | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ (with treatment) | ★★★★★ | $$–$$$ |
| SmartStrand® | Families, pets, cottages | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ (built-in, never wears off) | ★★★★★ | $$$ |
| Polyester (PET) | Bedrooms, lower traffic | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | $$ |
| Wool | Luxury feel | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | $$$$ |
| Polypropylene (Olefin) | Basements, outdoor carpet | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | $ |
SmartStrand® – The #1 Choice for Most Northern Michigan Families
Exclusive to Mohawk, SmartStrand with DuPont™ Sorona® is the only fiber with permanent, built-in stain and soil protection that never washes or wears off. Perfect for cottages, homes with kids and dogs, and anyone who wants gorgeous carpet that stays gorgeous.
How to Judge Carpet Quality & Durability
Three simple tests you can do in our showroom:
- Density Test – Press your fingers into the pile. The harder it is to reach the backing, the denser (and better) the carpet.
- Bend Test – Fold the sample like a “U”. The less backing you see, the denser the carpet.
- Twist Test – Look at the tips of cut-pile carpet. Tight, neat twists = long-lasting beauty.
Quality Carpet Padding Is NOT Optional
Padding is the foundation of your carpet. A great carpet on cheap padding will wear out twice as fast as the same carpet on quality padding.
- Absorbs up to 90% of foot traffic impact
- Makes carpet feel softer and quieter
- Insulates against cold floors (huge in Northern Michigan winters!)
- Best choice: 7/16″ – ½″ thick with 6–8 lb density rebond or prime urethane
Simple Care That Keeps Carpet Beautiful for 15–20+ Years
- Vacuum high-traffic areas 2–3 times per week
- Use walk-off mats at every entrance
- Treat spills immediately (download our free Emergency Spot Removal Guide)
- Professional hot-water extraction every 18–24 months
- Close blinds during direct summer sun
Ready to see and feel the difference for yourself?
Come visit any of our three showrooms in Mancelona, Traverse City, or Harbor Springs, …or schedule your free in-home measure today.. We’ll bring the samples to you and help you pick the perfect carpet for your family, your budget, and your life – the simple way we’ve done it since 1986.
We treat you like family because, at Kiss Carpet, you are.
– The Roberts Family & the entire Kiss Carpet Team