If your carpeting is destined for a bathroom, entry area, basement, or deck, consider a lower grade than for your living room. Purchasing new carpet for your home can be a major expense, and you want the investment to last a long time. Considering the vast number of carpeting options, just how long will your choice last. The dirt can cut the fibers and increase wear patterns, so a lower pile height is often recommended for those areas, because the dirt is closer to the surface, making it easier for the vacuum to clean it away. High traffic areas such as hallways and stairs will have greater amounts of dirt and pressure on the carpeting. If a higher pile carpeting is desired, use of area rugs or runners help protect the fibers, giving additional physical protection from dirt and offering superior padding to protect the integrity of the pile. Durability of carpet depends on several factors, some of which are not under a home owner's control, such as floods or tornadoes. A carpet for indoor outdoor use is highly versatile and is manufactured to withstand high levels of moisture and wear.

However, understanding the controllable and expected factors can help you make the best choices for the rooms in your home.