Sadly, this sounds like a comparative shopping task that may have to be done in person when shopping restrictions are lifted. To some extent, you may be able to find out about a company's overall reputation by looking for forum or other online reviews, but sometimes information of this nature about a specific style within a brand is best obtained by talking to knowledgeable salespeople at at least 2 to 3 showrooms minimum. You should get a feel after a while as to what companies are the better ones. Price is also unfortunately sometimes an indicator if nothing else is, but yet you aren't wanting to spend a lot on this, and rightly so as carpet is one of the easiest flooring types to replace if it wears badly in the future. You should be able to tell somewhat by feeling of the samples in person as to what the quality might be, and the length of warranty offered by each company would also be a clue.

The answer is found in two words: Propitiatory Information.

Carpet business is HIGHLY secretive and horrendously competitive. Anything that has to do with chemical compositions is highly secretive. It would the same as a consumer wanting to know the exact chemical compound of a vinyl flooring producer and where the PVC is sourced. That knowledge is secretive and highly sensitive.

If you have NOT found the CARPET FOR YOU, then this becomes a whirlwind of information. Carpet is about FEEL underfoot and LOOK in the home environment. The fibre that I LIKE will NOT be something you like. It could come down to the silkiness of it or the harsh feel of it. Someone who has textural sensitivity is going to put a different VALUE on a carpet.

What you will need to do is find a few DIFFERENT carpets that you like the FEEL of (ignore the DETAILS for now...just go by FEEL) and then COMPARE each carpet's QUALITIES (like pile height, density, chemical make up, pad requirements etc).

You are putting the cart in front of the horse. In fact, if you are trying to purchase the HORSE you need to find a few horses in your area that would suit you...and THEN you compare the age, mannerisms, strengths and weaknesses of the breed.

No use shopping for show jumpers when all you can purchase are Clydesdales.

Personally I would PRIORITIZE your carpet requirements - including TOTAL price (including pad and installation). If you cannot get out to FEEL the product you might as well make use of your time prioritizing your own requirements.

The best fit isn't always the best carpet on the market.

What you are complaining about has more to do with the industry not being online friendly to carpet shopping. You are trying to narrow down your options by technical characteristics - which is fine. But what makes more sense is to go to your local carpet showroom (when open) and talk to the experienced salespeople. You tell them what you are looking for and they will show you products that meet those characteristics. Then you choose based on look and feel. If those sales people can’t seem to help you then you go to the next place as you are also shopping for a relationship.

I am the same boat!!! Will be spending about $13,000. I am stuck between 100% nylon and Smartstrand ultra. I have 2 small dogs, and one is a senior with occasional pee accidents. I am looking at Karastan, Regal Essence. It is traditional and beautiful. But some consumers warn against it for it durability. I have read 100% nylon STILL the best overall. So confused.

Anybody out there purchased Karastan Smartstrand more than 2 years ago?

@firstlady5 for $13,000 with a senior pet with accidents, is there any chance you have looked into dog diapers or possibly devoting a room or two of the house for the dog where he can have the floor protected? That's a long time to be with the carpet after the beloved pet has passed on in time. I say this because I had a situation where I had some long-term guests once who had a little kid whom they let pee all over my carpeted bedroom floor where they were staying. It is a long, long story. End result, though, was that after shampooing that carpet 6 times, I could not get the smell out. Pee of any type is a very serious thing for carpets. You might even want to consider holding out replacing until you absolutely have to. Just trying to speak from some sad experience here.

I had Fabrica Chinois installed in my bedroom ,(20x17) in 2016 and I am replacing it due to buckling and needs to be stretched. From day one of installation,, you could see the carpet seem. Given the carpet is a plum color, it easily shows footprints in which I hate. I believe the reason you can see the seem in Fabrica a Chinois is due to it is a cut pile and is dense

and the carpet is a solid color

Thus time I will look at a lighter color that is two tone. I am looking at Masland carpet which is cheaper than Fabrica. I wish that I would have saw this post earlier.