1 .Location- Where will the carpet be used? For a Living Room or formal dining room, you may choose something  for its luxury or beauty, while for a family room or den you may choose something because of its durability and stain resistance.  

2. Fiber- The makeup of carpet is a major factor in its performance.  Carpets are made with a variety of fiber types. You may choose a nylon rug, which is the most durable and resilient, an olefin for its stain resistance, or wool for its soft touch and fire resistance.

3. Style- There are many popular styles of carpet that you can choose from for your home.  The most common are plush cut-pile, and looped or berber.

4. Construction- Each style can be constructed in various ways. Characteristics such as density, twists per inch and pile weight will affect price, looks and performance. 

Cable: Cable style carpet is made from thicker yarn which is soft and comfortable underfoot. Cable carpet is not a suitable choice for a high traffic area such as stairs or a family room because it is easily crushed and matted from heavy foot traffic. Perfect for a bedroom, cable carpet is both cozy and attractive.

Looped: Looped carpet comes in a few styles, the most popular being Berber. The tight, uncut coil construction makes these the most durable choice. They rarely get matted down, soil evenly and clean up like new. Customers with children often pick Berber carpet, because it can stand the most abuse.

Cut and Loop: This style of carpet is also a more luxurious choice. Its design uses both loops and cut piles to create beautiful patterns that are more subtle. It has both style and function and is a great choice for a room that you want to give a formal look and durability at the same time.