Carpeting is one of the cheapest flooring options out there, but it still costs $3.50 to $11 per square foot. Buying on a tight budget means that you have to balance the best materials for the room with the money you have. These tips help you find the best deals on carpeting and professional installation.


Cheap Carpeting​
To find cheap carpeting, you need to know what you want. Choosing the right type of carpet for your home involves researching fibers and pile (the cut and style of the yarn). Material is the largest portion of the cost, so finding the right one can save you the most money.

Inexpensive Carpet Tiles​
Carpet tiles are individual squares of material instead of a roll. Since they can be made from remnants, they usually cost $1 to $2 per square foot. These squares come in a variety of sizes and may not need a pad for installation, a savings of $0.30 to $0.60 per square foot. Expect most of your options to have a short pile or loops, since others are harder to install.

Best Buy or Value Carpet​
The best value carpet is typically made of polyester or nylon. You’ll get a better lifespan from a Berber style or one with a longer pile like frieze. These products are:

Good for high-traffic areas
Less likely to show wear
Reasonably simple to maintain
Carpet vs. Pad​
At $0.30 to $0.60 per square foot, the pad should be an important factor in your budget. The difference between the cheapest and highest-quality products is only a small fraction of the total project cost. If you buy one that’s thicker to go with a less-expensive carpet, the combination may feel more luxurious.

Cheap Industrial Carpet​
The most affordable and durable industrial carpets have tight, level loops like a Berber carpet. This makes the product easy to clean and ideal for high-traffic locations.

Disadvantages of Low-Priced Carpeting​
Buying low-priced carpeting means you’ll need to make a few compromises:

Rated to last 5 to 10 years
Low density, so they can look bare
Low-quality construction, which means they can fall apart more quickly