How much does it cost to install berber carpet?

Reviewed by Adam Graham remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Carpeting is one of the most popular floor coverings for bedrooms, family rooms, and other areas in the home. It is soft, comfortable, and helps rooms feel warmer underfoot. One of the most popular styles is Berber. Berber is a short-looped carpet where the loops are woven together. It is typically a single color with multiple flecks of other colors mixed throughout. While Berber was originally hand-woven by the Berber people in Northern Africa, today’s Berber carpet is machine-made and can be found by many retailers.

Berber comes in all materials, multiple colors, thicknesses, and styles. It can be subtle or decorative in pattern and does a good job of hiding everyday soil and wear and tear.

The national average cost for installing Berber carpet is $500 to $1,800, with most people paying around $900 for 200 sq.ft. of acrylic Berber carpet in a subtle design pattern. The low cost for this project is $400 for olefin Berber carpet in a solid color. This project’s high cost is $2,000 for wool Berber carpet with a natural backing and underlayment ¹.

Berber Carpet Cost

Berber Carpet Cost per Square Foot

Berber carpets come in many different materials, styles, and colors. Therefore, they have a fairly wide cost range of $1 to $8 a sq.ft. for materials. This makes an installed cost range of $2 to $10 a sq.ft. Berber is one of the lower-cost carpet types because the loops that it is made of have not been cut and are all one single level ⁴ woven together. This makes Berber easier to produce and less expensive than some other carpet types.

Cost of Berber Carpet per Square Yard

While most carpeting is installed by the square foot ², it is often sold by the square yard. Some retailers price out their carpeting in both ways - by the square yard and the square foot ². Others only price it by the yard. There are 3 square feet in one square yard. This makes the square yard cost range for Berber carpet $3 to $24 a square yard for material and $6 to $30 a square yard installed.

Berber Carpet Prices by Material

Berber is a carpet style rather than a distinct material. It can be made of many different materials, including natural and synthetic fibers. Each material has its own price point and attributes that may make one a better choice for your home. The following costs are for Berber carpet made of the various materials and their installed costs.

Olefin Berber Carpet

The cost of olefin Berber carpet averages $1 to $4 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed is $2 to $6 a sq.ft. Olefin is made from a type of plastic fiber. It is inexpensive and a good choice for areas that might be exposed to water damage, such as basements. Because it does not absorb moisture, it is difficult to stain. However, olefin is a stiff material. In a loop pattern, such as Berber, it can feel stiff and hard to the touch. For this reason, olefin is not often recommended for bedrooms or family areas. It is recommended for higher-traffic and damp areas.

Nylon Berber Carpet

The cost of nylon Berber carpeting ranges from $2 to $4 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed averages $3 to $6 a sq.ft. Nylon is a softer material. It can contain some post-consumer recycled material, and some types can be recycled after use. While this is a petroleum-based material, it is not as bad for the environment as some other synthetic fibers. Nylon does well as Berber because its biggest problem is crushing. Berber is a level ⁴ loop style, so it does not crush underfoot. It is recommended that you steam clean your nylon carpets yearly to help them stay looking their best.

Polyester Berber Carpet

The cost of a polyester Berber carpet is $2 to $5 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed averages $3 to $7 a sq.ft. Polyester is also a petroleum-based material. It tends to feel even softer than nylon, but its fibers attract more dirt. This can make polyester Berber harder to keep clean than other materials. It does well in wet or damp areas because it does not absorb as much moisture. This can help prevent some staining.

Triexta Berber Carpet

The cost of triexta Berber carpet averages $3 to $5 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed is $4 to $7 a sq.ft. Triexta is a chemical compound fiber that is relatively new for carpeting. It is a type of polyester but is much more durable, softer, and better able to resist dirt than traditional polyester. Triexta is a good choice for moderate traffic areas and places like bedrooms and family rooms. It does not require as much maintenance as nylon while being softer to the touch.

Wool Berber Carpet

The cost of wool Berber carpet ranges from $5 to $8 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed averages $6 to $10 a sq.ft. Wool is a popular material in Berber carpets. Because Berber is woven, wool can provide a very soft, dense carpet in this pattern. Wool is naturally moisture and soil-resistant, but it can stain if spills are left for too long. Many wool Berber carpets are made without any chemicals or toxins. This, combined with the fact that wool is both sustainable and biodegradable, makes this material an eco-friendly choice.

Berber Carpet Prices by Brand

There are many manufacturers of Berber carpet. Some specialize in a specific material, such as wool. Others make a few materials and have choices like added stain resistance. Each brand may also have varying colors, patterns, and availability. Below are some of the more popular brands that carry Berber, along with the average costs.

Mohawk Berber Carpet

The cost of Mohawk Berber carpet ranges from $1 to $3 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed is $2 to $5 a sq.ft. Mohawk is the manufacturer of many different carpeting types with several lines to choose from. This includes SmartStrand, which is made from triexta and other materials. They have some Berbers that have been treated for extra stain resistance and some in different patterns.

Shaw 

The cost of Shaw Berber carpet ranges from $1 to $8 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed averages $2 to $10 a sq.ft. Shaw makes a very wide range of different carpeting products. This includes many types of Berber in several materials, patterns, and styles. They have some luxury lines that are softer and deeper, as well as lines that are treated for added stain resistance. They also have budget lines.

Stainmaster 

The cost of Stainmaster Berber carpet is $2 to $5 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed ranges from $3 to $7 a sq.ft. Stainmaster makes several colors and patterns of Berber carpet. Their company specifically makes different types for heavier use. This includes some that are designed for use in homes with pets and heavy traffic areas. They make Berber carpet in a few materials and styles.

Lifeproof Berber

The cost of Lifeproof Berber carpet is between $4 and $5 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed averages $5 to $7 a sq.ft. Lifeproof is a brand sold by Home Depot. They have a wide range of different carpets aimed at high-use households. They produce few materials and several styles. They have carpets that are specifically designed for use with pets. They also have some in fiber blends and others that contain recycled material.

Nature’s Carpet

The cost of Nature’s Carpet Berber carpet averages $5 to $8 a sq.ft. The cost of this material installed ranges from $6 to $10 a sq.ft. Nature’s Carpet specializes in wool and all-natural carpet fibers. Their products do not contain any added chemicals or toxins. They also have natural fiber backings, including jute, cotton, and felt. Most are a solid color rather than patterned and in a neutral color palette.

Berber Carpet Cost by Location

Berber carpet makes a great choice for many areas of the home. Depending on the material, you may choose to use it in your basement, living room, or bedroom areas. Berber does not crush as much as other carpets, meaning it can look better between vacuuming. This makes it a good choice for busy households. The Berber type you choose may vary by location, with basements using synthetic materials and bedrooms doing best with thicker fibers for comfort. Below are the average costs to install Berber in various locations based on the average space size and the most common materials used there.

Berber Carpet in a Bedroom

The cost of Berber carpet for a bedroom is $300 to $1,600. The cost of the material installed averages $450 to $2,000. This assumes a bedroom of between 150 and 200 sq.ft. If your bedroom is larger or smaller, your costs could be different. In most cases, Berber for the bedroom is made of nylon, triexta, or wool. These are softer materials that feel good underfoot and are available in different colors and patterns. The material you choose and how intricate the pattern is will impact your costs.

Berber Carpet in a Living Room

The cost of Berber carpet for a living room ranges from $600 to $2,400. The cost of this material installed averages $1,200 to $4,000. This assumes a living room of between 300 and 400 sq.ft. If your living room is bigger or smaller, your costs could be different. In many situations, Berber for a living room is made of nylon, triexta, or wool. These are softer, attractive materials that do well in formal and semi-formal rooms like living rooms. They feel soft underfoot and come in many patterns and colors, so they complement many interior designs.

Berber Carpet for a Basement

The cost of Berber carpet for basements is between $1,000 and $5,000. The cost of this material installed averages $2,000 to $7,000. This assumes an average basement size of 1,000 sq.ft. When carpeting a portion of the basement or for a larger basement, your costs could be different. In most cases, you want a synthetic material like olefin or polyester for the basement, although triexta will work well in some basements. For installation in the basement, the area should be fully waterproofed and finished first. This helps ensure that the carpet will last the longest amount of time without issue.

Labor Costs to Install Berber Carpet

Berber installs in the same way that other carpet styles do. This has an average installation cost per square foot ² of $1 to $2. First, the pad ³ is installed over a level ⁴ substrate. Then, the Berber is stretched, vibrated into place, and secured with tacks. If you need old carpet removed first, this may raise the project cost. If you have baseboards in the room where the Berber will be installed, these need to be removed and replaced after installation. If you have the installer do this, it can raise the project costs.

It is recommended that there be nothing on the walls of the room where the carpet will be installed due to the potential for damage during the vibration step. If the installer needs to remove things, this can also increase costs.

Pros and Cons of Berber Carpet

Berber has a unique appearance and texture that differs from other carpet types. Its surface is made of loops woven into place, so you will not see the cut fibers. This means that the carpet is less likely to fray over time, but it may not feel as soft or lush to the touch.

Depending on how the fibers are twisted, Berber can be very stiff or feel thick and soft. The stiffer fibers are more likely to catch on pets’ claws, which can cause snags in the carpet.

Berber comes in different colors and patterns, but these are more limited than other carpet types. Solid patterns and subtle designs, such as lines and rows, are common. Some companies create patterns in their Berber using different colors, but these tend to raise the overall cost.

Berber hides dirt well and is easy to clean because the loops help keep soil from penetrating too deeply. It also does not crush as badly as other carpets, so it stays looking good between vacuumings.

Maintenance

Berber carpet is fairly easy to maintain. It should be vacuumed regularly to remove surface dirt and soil before it is pushed deep into the loops. Wipe up or address spills as soon as they are noticed to prevent them from absorbing too deep. Depending on the material the Berber is made from, you may want to have it steam cleaned periodically to remove any deeper soil or stains and help it stay looking its best.

Berber vs Plush Carpet

Berber is a loop carpet, where the loops are woven together for a specific appearance. The fibers may be soft underfoot, but the pattern tends to make this carpet less dense. It is hard to sink into a Berber.

For those who want a carpet you can sink your hand or foot ² into, a plush carpet makes a good choice. These are made from textured cut loops that are all the same height. The cut loops make it softer and allow you to sink into it more. Berber loops make that harder.

Plush carpets can crush over time while Berber does not. This tends to make Berber a longer-lasting choice than plush. Additionally, plush carpets are available in other materials that Berber is not, such as acrylic. Both can be used in many areas in the home, although Berber tends to hold up better in high-traffic areas. Of the two, Berber tends to be less expensive.

Loop Carpet vs Berber

Berber is a loop carpet where the fibers remain uncut. Loop carpets come in a few types like Berber, which is a woven loop. Other types include level ⁴ loop, which can be industrial carpeting or a more tightly packed wool or cotton, and multi-level loop carpeting, which uses loops of varying heights to create patterns.

Berber refers to the way that the loops are made. Berber carpeting can have more pattern and interest than a level ⁴ loop, but it is not quite as decorative as a multi-level loop. Depending on the material, Berber may be less expensive than other loops or more expensive than some commercial level ⁴ loops. In terms of durability and performance, most loop carpets hold up similarly, provided they are made of the same material.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Berber Carpet for Stairs

If you plan on carpeting your stairs, Berber is a recommended material for stair use. Its costs are dependent on the material the Berber is made from. The average cost for Berber designed for stairs is $15 to $22 a square yard with an installation cost of $3 to $15 per step.

Patterned Berber Carpet

Many different companies create Berber carpets with patterns. These patterns can be subtle with spaces between rows of Berber, or they can be more decorative by using different patterns. The average cost of patterned Berber starts at $3 a sq.ft. and may go as high as $8 a sq.ft.

Radiant Flooring

You can install radiant floor heating beneath your Berber. This can be done with either hydronic tubing or electric coils or mats. Using radiant flooring below carpet may mean you need to increase the heat to feel it through the material. Radiant heating averages $10 to $25 a sq.ft.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• Durability. Berber is often considered more durable than other carpet types. This is due to its construction since looped carpet fibers tend to be stronger than cut fibers. Material and construction can change the durability, however.
• Pets. Most residential Berber carpets hold up well to a pet’s claws. However, some cats may enjoy the texture and want to try sharpening their claws on the Berber, which can create snags. To avoid this, keep scratching posts nearby.
• Softness. The softness of your Berber will be determined by the material it is made from. Some like olefin can often be rough to the touch. Others like wool and triexta can be very soft to the touch and are more comfortable underfoot.
• Damage. If your Berber becomes damaged, the most common repair is to remove the affected area and stretch the carpet to gain excess material to make the repair with.