Updated April 2026 · Material Guide
Carpet Prices Per Square Foot in 2026: Every Type Compared
Not all carpet is created equal — and the cheapest option isn’t always the most cost-effective. Here’s every major carpet type with material cost, installed cost, lifespan, cost-per-year, and which rooms each type suits.
Carpet Price Comparison Table
| Type | Material $/sqft | Installed $/sqft | Lifespan | Cost/year* | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester (PET) | $1–$3 | $2–$5 | 5–10 yrs | $40–$100 | Low-traffic bedrooms, rentals |
| Nylon | $2–$5 | $3–$7.50 | 10–15 yrs | $25–$75 | Family rooms, main bedrooms |
| Triexta (SmartStrand) | $2.50–$5 | $3.50–$7.50 | 10–15 yrs | $27–$75 | Families with kids/pets |
| Berber (looped) | $2–$9 | $3–$12 | 10–20 yrs | $20–$80 | Basements, low-traffic, offices |
| Frieze | $2–$5 | $3–$7.50 | 10–15 yrs | $25–$75 | Hallways, active households |
| Wool | $4–$20 | $5.50–$23 | 20–25+ yrs | $25–$115 | Master bedrooms, formal spaces |
| Olefin/Polypropylene | $0.50–$2 | $1.50–$4 | 5–8 yrs | $25–$80 | Outdoor/indoor-outdoor, basements |
*Cost per year calculated as (mid-range installed cost × 144 sqft bedroom) ÷ mid-range lifespan
The cheapest carpet isn’t always cheapest over time. Wool at $15/sqft installed over 25 years = $0.60/sqft/year. Polyester at $3/sqft installed over 7 years = $0.43/sqft/year. The gap is smaller than the sticker price suggests — and in a master bedroom where you feel the difference daily, wool becomes a serious consideration.
Carpet Type Deep Dives
Polyester (PET)
$1–$3/sqft material | $2–$5/sqft installed
PROS
+ Cheapest mainstream fibre
+ Good colour vibrancy — dyes well
+ Soft feel when new
+ Adequate stain resistance for low-traffic use
CONS
− Compresses in high-traffic areas within 3–5 years
− Not resilient — once crushed, it stays crushed
− Not recommended for living rooms, hallways, stairs
Best for: spare bedrooms, rental properties, short-term budget renovations. Avoid for: anywhere with regular foot traffic.
Nylon
$2–$5/sqft material | $3–$7.50/sqft installed
PROS
+ Most resilient synthetic fibre — bounces back from compression
+ Excellent abrasion resistance
+ Works with most padding types
+ Wide range of styles, colours, pile heights
CONS
− More expensive than polyester
− Mid-grade nylon absorbs stains more than triexta (requires treatment)
− Nylon 6 (lower quality) vs 6,6 — check the label
Best for: family rooms, main bedrooms, living rooms, any high-traffic area. The professional standard recommendation.
Triexta (Mohawk SmartStrand)
$2.50–$5/sqft material | $3.50–$7.50/sqft installed
PROS
+ Built-in stain resistance (inherent to fibre, not surface coating)
+ Comparable durability to nylon
+ Soft feel
+ Good for homes with children and pets
CONS
− Primarily marketed by Mohawk — brand lock-in
− Slightly less resilient than nylon 6,6 under extreme traffic
− Limited manufacturer options vs nylon
Best for: family homes with kids or pets, living rooms, children's bedrooms. Excellent practical choice.
Wool
$4–$20/sqft material | $5.50–$23/sqft installed
PROS
+ Longest lifespan: 20–25+ years
+ Naturally fire-resistant (doesn't need chemical treatment)
+ Luxury feel underfoot
+ Excellent thermal and acoustic properties
+ Biodegradable/sustainable
CONS
− High upfront cost
− Requires more careful cleaning (no harsh chemicals)
− Can pill initially
− Higher cost means smaller market — fewer styles
Best for: master bedrooms, formal sitting rooms, high-end renovations. Worth calculating cost-per-year before dismissing the price.
Berber (looped pile)
$2–$9/sqft material | $3–$12/sqft installed
PROS
+ Extremely durable in low-traffic use
+ Hides dirt between cleans
+ Range of budgets: olefin berber (cheap) to wool berber (premium)
+ Classic look
CONS
− Loops snag on pet claws
− Can catch shoe heels (especially high-gauge loops)
− Harder to seam — professional only
− Not recommended for stairs or homes with pets
Best for: basements, offices, low-traffic second rooms. Avoid with pets or on stairs.
Pile Style vs Fibre Type: Understanding the Difference
This is a common source of confusion. Fibre type (nylon, polyester, wool) determines durability and cost. Pile style (loop, cut, cut-and-loop) determines appearance and texture. Both choices are independent — you can have nylon in loop pile or cut pile. Berber is a pile style, not a fibre.
| Pile style | Appearance | Best fibre pairing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cut pile (plush) | Soft, velvety, uniform | Nylon or wool | Most common residential style. Shows vacuum marks and footprints. |
| Looped pile | Textured, nubby, casual | Nylon or olefin | Durable, hides dirt. Avoid with pets. Berber is a looped pile. |
| Frieze (twisted cut) | Shaggy, casual, hides marks | Nylon | High-twist cut pile. Very good durability, hides wear. |
| Cut-and-loop | Patterned, contemporary | Nylon | Combines cut and looped fibres for textured patterns. Good durability. |
| Saxony | Elegant, formal | Nylon or wool | Dense, upright cut pile. Shows footprints easily. Formal spaces only. |
Where to Buy Carpet at the Best Price
Big-box stores (Home Depot, Lowe's)
+ Convenient; installation service included; frequent sales. Good value at mid-range grades.
− Limited selection vs specialty stores; sometimes bundled with mediocre padding.
Flooring specialty stores
+ Much wider selection, especially at mid-to-premium grades. Independent specialists often provide better value on material for the same price point.
− Installation quoted separately; fewer brand-name promotions.
Carpet remnants / outlet
+ Significant savings (30–60% off retail) if your room is small enough to cut from a remnant. Common for bedrooms 12×15 and smaller.
− Limited choice; not always available in your preferred colour/grade.
Direct from manufacturer online (Shaw, Mohawk)
+ Best prices on specific product lines; clear spec sheets for comparison.
− You arrange your own installation. Best for experienced buyers who know exactly what they want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Olefin/polypropylene is the cheapest carpet at $0.50–$2/sqft material ($1.50–$4 installed). However, it is best suited to outdoor/indoor-outdoor applications and basements — not recommended for general residential use. For indoor rooms, polyester is the most affordable practical choice at $1–$3/sqft material ($2–$5 installed), suitable for low-traffic bedrooms and rental properties.