Carpet - variables
Heres my experienced opinion on the subject- if you want to live on it and you have young children. Don't buy the more expensive carpet if the inevitable spills, mud, sand,and occasional stains are going to upset you and cause any tension around the house: it isn't worth it. Its better all round to get a medium priced one until everyone grows up. prices usually follow quality so you can usually judge from there. Stain resistance is not a real big factor, you can rent a Rug Doctor every so often and they really work great.(you can actually use liquid dish detergent with a little amonia plus the defoamer which is the only liquid you need to buy, and it really does a good job) whether or not you install it yourself buy some extra carpet and if there is a tear, burn, etc. it can readily be patched with the usual carpet tools and the "hot melt" carpet tape. the padding is what gives the carpet the nice feeling under your feet. Buy the multi-colored stuff that looks like is been chopped up and then glued together because thats what it is. the plain looking stuff is junk and will flatten out and not hold its shape and the carpet will lose its " puffed up look". hope this helps