Carpet Remnants Guide
How to find the carpet remnants that best suit your needs: useful tips and advice to make the right choice.
Carpet remnants found in China have been carbon dated to 1400 BC. Scientists have found evidence that even more ancient men, perhaps going back as far as 6000 BC, sheared goats and sheep, then spun and wove the hair and wool. Scientists have even speculated that carpeting has been in use for a much longer time, going as far back as the time of the earliest cavemen who would throw animal hides on the floor to provide warmth and softness.
Today, they a favorite choice for modern floor covering. The benefits of carpet are innumerable, it's beautiful, offers insulation properties, is available in a color or style to suit any taste and there are options to fit any budget. One of these options is carpet remnants, which are pieces of carpeting left over from large-scale installations.
Where to Find Carpet Remnants
You can find them at almost any retail flooring store. You will usually find them in the back of the store as they are not as profitable as full bolts of carpet.
Professional floor installation companies often have remnants that they will sell cheaply and will even give away smaller pieces just so they do not have to store them.
DIY home remodelers will usually offer their carpet remnants for a drastically reduced price. Check community papers or online sites like Craigslist.com.
Hotels and motels undergo periodic remodeling and sell their old inventory to liquidators. Look for hotel liquidators in your area and call to see if they have any carpet. The trash bins at apartment complexes will sometimes have small rolls of carpeting stacked nearby.
What to Look for in Carpet Remnants
Your first consideration should be usefulness. For instance, is the carpet remnant being used in a guest bedroom? If so, then you can buy a cheaper grade as it will not see as much use as would one in a high traffic area like an entrance hall or living room.
Make sure the remnant you buy is large enough to finish your whole project. There will be little chance of finding more of the exact same carpet if you run short. Make sure that doors can open and close easily over the carpet. You don't want them touching the fiber and crushing the pile.