Please advise on synthetic vs natural fibre vs mix carpets...

[BritabroadinAsia]

I need to re-carpet a 2 bed flat throughout (except kitchen and bathroom). We are renting it out on a short term basis to friends of friends but also will spend some time (probably 2 months a year) staying there ourselves, so I don't want anything truly hideous, but also want something easy to look after that won't cost the earth. I hope that because we know the tenants they will treat a new carpet fairly respectfully, but I also appreciate that accidents happen, and it won't be their home!

I've previously gone for a wool/synthetic mix (80:20) but I'm wondering if I need to spend out, if for most of the time it won't be for our benefit. Please can you advise me the thinking on:

longevity
wear
'feel' underfoot

of 100% polypropylene, vs mixes vs 80:20 please?

Don't want to spend more than we have to, but also don't want to make a false economy in buying cheap...

Anyone?

We have a 100% synthetic carpet in our playroom and I'm pleased. It feels fine underfoot, but it's coped well with being vomited, weed and drawn on by the kids! It means I don't worry about the carpet changing colour in patches where I've had to scrub it etc. You still have to buy a decent one though- v cheap synthetic carpets feel horrid.

Thanks for that Thelovecats - think I will just need to feel a whole lotta carpet to ensure we don't enter hideous territory but I agree that synthetic might be best for purpose here.

You should put down laminate floorimg, not carpet . Of any kind

Er no Stacey: if the flat is not on the ground floor it could be noisy for the neighbours below. Laminate and wood floors are often not permitted in flats.

Yes, wowfudge - you are exactly right. We have to have carpet, no option for other flooring, as a condition of the lease.
So any further advice re carpets much appreciated!

Hi Britabroad

I'm interested in this too. We are going to be re-carpeting throughout our upstairs soon, as part of a general renovation. I have only just started looking and was in a flooring showroom the other day, mainly looking at hard flooring. But when I mentioned that I would be looking at carpet soon too, the manager was very keen to show me some new carpets by Victoria Carpets which are 100% polypropelene. I would not have thought of this at all, but he said he had just done his sitting room in it and was extremely pleased. 90% of his showroom was traditional 80:20 or 100% wool carpets (or sisal, jute etc) so I don't think this was just a sales pitch.

I have to say it felt amazingly soft and I did quite like the idea of putting my feet on it every morning getting out of bed. He said the price was very reasonable indeed - I don't really know as I have done my research yet. His view seemed to be that these materials are now best technical solution - though of course some people will still want to stick with the traditional (and non-oil based I suppose) alternatives.

The carpet must have been one of these - not quite sure which www.victoriacarpets.com/carpet-type.aspx?id=4. Seemed to be the fact I have young children and mentioned being worried about spillages etc which prompted him to mention it.

I think in your position (when you are letting it out) I would very tempted to try something like this. Need to do more research first but will think seriously about it for us too. Would be interested to hear what others think, or if they have something similar in their home.