Berber can be o k and it can be so awful. Wool is always a winner and investment. Karastan, Masland, Stanton,…on and on. Good carpet companies all carry wool.

That said, you may not need wool at all.

I suggest you go to a local carpet store, which carries many brands, and talk to a knowledgeable salesperson who can determine your need.

Ask, for instance, about Stanton “Anywhere"…amazing floor covering options.

Agree with JudyG. What I don't like about Berber is it is typically a loop and it can pull and mat down in heavy use areas. Just get the best quality you can afford and then get it steam cleaned twice a year. It will serve you well for many years.

When you go to your local carpet store, get samples that are yours to keep. Put them through their paces- stomp on them, make sure the dog goes over them- how do they clean up? Hard to ask you to "barf" on command, but what does that do?

It will, at the very least, give you an idea of what it takes to maintain.

Per my mother's advice, we always choose good quality wool. Agree, open loop is preferable, especially with pets whose claws can catch on closed loops.

Many years ago we purchased a house with wool Berber. The owner had used a regular vacuum cleaner on it and it went all fluffy. Had to rip it out immediately. It was only a couple of years old and was a good quality carpet. I would check cleaning/vacuuming recommendations if you decide to install it.

Good to know. Thank you.

Masland has excellent nylons and wools. Tuftex has some great nylons. Wool is fantastic, but NOT a Wilton wool which will be destroyed on a stair.

Go to a reputable local carpet store, and stay out of Home Depot. No to berber, no to anything polypropylene. A Smart Strand nylon , will even take bleach solutions for spots. Much depends on your resources$$ , habits, and level of care as with any other selection.

Great advise on wool products above. Another superb wool company is Earth Weave carpets. If wool falls out of your budget you're next best fiber is nylon. Nylon has memory and will spring back up. Bear in mind with any carpet fiber you choose the best care and maintenance you can provide for it is to vacuum it on a regular basis. Dirt particles are your biggest nemesis and will cause fibers to mat down over time if you do not vacuum often.
We have a residential grade Shaw frieze nylon carpet installed in our showroom that's been down for 15+ years. We have very high traffic, vacuum twice a week and have had it professionally cleaned 3 times. It still looks new.

So, Masland, Stanton, Tuftex for wool Berber. Does anyone know how expensive these might be? I have an appointment next week at a carpet store.

Do you have pets? Stairs and hallways are heavy traffic areas. I had nylon carpeting on these areas for over twenty years. Then we recarpeted with a beautiful natural wool loop carpet. Gorgeous! And....then we rescued a dog, a Westie terrier mix, who enjoyed racing up and down the stairs. We had the carpet cleaned four times in two years. Finally, I decided that the dog was far more important than the wool carpet. We replaced the gorgeous wool with a functional nylon plush that can be spot cleaned and is dog-tolerant. Do I wish that I had a wool carpet? Yes! But doggie love trumps home decor in my world. Good luck in your decision! ❤️

We don't have any pets...my husband doesn't want a dog :(

Here in Texas, we install wool carpet starting around $60 a sq yd. Materials, tax and labor. Every store is different.

That's pricey! Hmmm. Is hardwood comparable in price do you think?

I live in Michigan

Oh wait, that's square yard. Not so bad then.

Not to be a fear-monger, but we had a problem with clothes moths at one point, that took several rounds of exterminator (and other woes) to eradicate. Sadly, at one point they laid eggs in the wool Berber under a heavy dresser that was rarely moved, and that became a source that was re-infecting the closet et al. I'm sure we got 'em all eventually, but I will never feel quite the same about wool carpeting again! We left it in our office space but pulled it out of all the bedrooms and replaced with a high-quality nylon (which also had the benefit of feeling nice under bare feet!).

Sq ft pricing would fall around $6.67+. No it's not too bad.
And so you're aware, Tuftex is a designer line of Shaw Industries. They mainly deal with nylon fiber carpets. If they deal with wool, it would be news to me as my rep whom I have dealt with over 20 yrs has not shown me any wool products through them.

The cost? Varies with the manufacturer and your store. I bring in a lot of customers, so I receive substantial discount. Also, wait for sales. You can ask your salesperson what time of the year different mills have them.

Be aware that prices are set differently. All carpet stores around here price by the sq foot. Sounds great until you remember you have to multiply that number by 9 to get the sq yard price.

Karastan has a new line that is selling for $4-6.00 a sq ft.

We are most likely going forward with some wool carpeting. Fingers crossed that the samples I like are not super pricey. I will update for anyone interested.

We have wool carpeting in several areas of our home; including stairs. Wears like iron; looks brand new after needing to replace a few years ago after a professional carpet cleaner left too much water/delaminated the backing of our nylon carpets.

Wool retains its pile and resists stains better than any carpet material. Also, great if you suffer from any dust mite allergies as dust mites and bacteria do not thrive in wool like they do in synthetic products.

A Berber/loop weave won't shed as much as a cut pile. For a high traffic area such as stairs, a tight wool Berber (small loop) would be a good option.

Ensure you care for wool properly (no beater bar--or very highest setting and no Dyson). Cleaning not recommended (has not been needed in our home) more than once per year.

Not sure if you have any open sides to stairwell, but if so, check for any smiling w/carpet folded--your sales person can help you determine. They should be verifying how you want installed also (waterfall like you have or hollywood etc)

Pricing on wool has also come down considerably and there are quite a few manufacturers and competition. It's good to know where the carpet is made; quality of the backing; type of wool (New Zealand very good).

Enjoy the feel of wool! Feels great on bare feet! This PDF is helpful info--lots of other great info and forums online.

I have a Miele vacuum cleaner. Would that be ok on wool?

Miele is great, but just make sure you can raise the lift so the dirt is sucked up not beat up if you know what I mean. Love wool. Have had on stairs in two homes and the current home for 11 years, no wear, no ugly spots. We spot clean with very little water and Dawn soap suds. Pat dry with paper towel, brush gently with clean cloth to restore nap. Let dry. Done. Costs a little more up front, but other products you end up replacing once or twice or living with ugly for a couple years! So, it's a choice.

Hi Stephanie. Yes, I have Miele canister, not sure of model, but as long as your model has the ability to turn off the beater bar you are good! If you don't have the option to turn off the beater bar, you could raise up the bar well above pile (depends on the carpet you select). I leave the beater bar off for getting the bulk of the fine dust etc and turn on the beater bar at highest or second highest setting for crumbs etc. Have fun finding your carpet; so many great patterns in wool now too! You will have many options.

Have wool on my stairs. It is cream with a pattern, which obviously wasn't a good idea. Would recommend going darker. I have a wools elsewhere in my home with no problems. I use alcohol to clean it, never soap, which can attract more dirt. Make sure youtest a sample with alcohol to make sure that the color is safe.I purchased most of my wool carpet from remanent stores, but be careful the quality of wool needlepoints and berbers varies widely.

Can anyone tell me the typical amount of time it should take to place an order and get an installation date? I've been waiting on this info for a while. Any pros out there?

If people in your house wear tennis shoes, I would want to try the carpet out in person to see if rubber soles "catch" on the carpet to be used on a stairway.

New Zealand wool rugs/carpets (no matter what style you decide to go with) are known for their price and quality. We did a lot of research and were very happy with the quality and wear and tear only wool can provide in my opinion.

Takes a week for carpet to arrive to me after I order it. I have jobs lined out for 2 months for carpet installs.
Most manufacturers of carpet are located in Georgia and California, some in New York. Depends where you're located and how busy your area is.

I had wool carpet installed on my stairs and hall this past winter. I chose Stanton Rockefeller in Marine color. It was pricey, but I am sooo happy with it. My carpet was installed about 2.5 weeks after I placed the order. I live in Wisconsin.

Thank you, you guys are awesome

I am also considering Stanton Rockefeller for my stairs. kmcnarney, you said you love it - can you post a picture?

Not to be a party pooper, but just be aware that some people are really allergic to wool.

Julie - here you go!

I put it on the stairs and upstairs hall.

That's really pretty! I thought I would show you all what we chose too. So far I love it.

what did you get? and where did you get it? It's really nice!

Very pretty selection! But why did they not bind and center it on the stair?............I have to ask, I am sorry, sorry sorry.

I think because it’s wall to wall once you turn the corner at the landing. I’m also not sure what the wood would have looked like on the right side, as it’s been covered with carpet from the previous owner.

suzyq53, true wool allergies are rare, and are to the lanolin, or oils in the wool, which are washed out during the processing of the fibre.

Sensitivities to some wool clothing are sensitivities to rough fibres. Most people with sensitivities can wear fine woollen fabrics, but not coarser wools, which are used in carpets.

Unless people are going to roll around naked on the carpet, wool is not an issue, and if they are, synthetic carpets will cause the same problem.

I moved multiple times when I was younger and my wool carpet for the stairs was always there go to for each new house! It held up very nicely and gave the house a very "classy" look :) I definitely suggest sticking with wool!

Thanks Jean - I can't wear wool at all. If it touches my skin it itches like crazy and it makes my eyes and nose run. Same with cashmere which I don't think has lanolin. Also angora. And some cats. I'm fine with polyester and nylon carpet.

It's on the stair yes? It's mice carpet and she likes it? So I guess she's all set : )

Wait! stephanie, what and where did you get it??

It is called "Montrose" from Unique Carpets Ltd. 100% wool

I have experienced infestations of the carpet beetle. They love wool and like the moth, lay eggs under places you can’t see or reach, like baseboards.. I loved the wool also, but not the bugs...

StephanieM - The carpet on your stairs looks exactly like one we are considering from Unique Carpet Ltd (it is called Laredo). Can you tell me how it has held up on the stairs (and elsewhere)? I realize you posted 3 years ago, so fingers crossed you see this! We would LOVE to find out how it has held up?! Anyone else out there have experience with Unique Carpets Ltd? Thank you!

Valcondoremodel - Did you end up going with Laredo carpet? I am considering it for my house - in Silverstone - would love to know if you decided to get it and if it held up!