What Do Carpet Performance Ratings Mean?
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Carpet performance ratings, an important and useful tool, are now available to assist carpet shoppers in choosing the appropriate carpet for a given area of their homes.

Performance ratings (PR), sometimes displayed on carpet sample labels, incorporate a change-in-appearance number on a 1 to 5 scale: 5 is no change and 1 is very severe change. The performance rating indicates the amount of surface appearance change to be expected in major traffic areas during the first year of service for a typical four-person household. A carpet with a higher performance rating (such as 4 or 5) is one that will maintain its new appearance longer in various traffic conditions than one with a lower performance rating. A 2 to 3 rating is good for areas with less traffic.

How are the numbers determined? Carpet testing laboratories utilize a standardized mechanical laboratory test based on human walkers trafficking (walking) on carpet for a specific number of steps (traffic counts). After the specified traffic counts are completed, the samples are visually graded by comparison with Appearance Change Grading Scales supplied by the Carpet and Rug Institute.

Although not all manufacturers/retailers provide this numerical rating, those who do believe it to be useful to the consumer in making an appropriate selection for the particular area under consideration. For instance, a larger family with heavy traffic through narrow traffic lanes, such as a hallway, would need a carpet with a high performance rating in that area. On the contrary, a small family looking for a carpet for a guest bedroom may wish to choose a carpet with a lower rating.

When performance ratings are available, they provide consumers helpful and valuable information for making a more informed buying decision for the ultimate enjoyment of their carpet.