Gone are the days when carpeting your vehicle meant just another boring chore that you had to do. Welcome to the dynamic world of auto accessories where auto carpets are no more boring and carpeting no more a "chore" to be taken care of. With a little help from JC Whitney, you can choose a carpet that suits your vehicle and your lifestyle.

The right carpet can do a world of good to your vehicle's interior. Windstorms, heavy downpour or scorching heat can really have disastrous effects on the interiors of your vehicle. Carpeting protects your vehicle from rust, mold and mildew. It also makes your vehicle more child-friendly by masking sharp surfaces.

If you, like many thousands of vehicle owners, are put off by nagging vibrations while driving at high speeds, worry no more, because carpets filter out those distracting noises, giving you a smooth ride even at high speeds. Not really lucky to live in a place with moderate climes all year around? Carpets provide heat insulation to keep you comfortable even in scorching climes. Get the carpet right and rest assured that you and your family would be itching to get in your vehicle and make those impulsive trips that you've always wanted to, but didn't.

Make the insides of your vehicle look a little bit closer to the interiors you have been dreaming of all along with a carpet that delivers the best in terms of look, feel and protection. If carpets are high on your "must-replace" list, it helps to be informed about the different types, textures and materials available.

The good news is that whether it is a car, truck, SUV or van that you own, you are sure to find a carpet for your vehicle make and model. To make picking one easier, we have listed down the wide array of options available, so that you can choose one that you feel suits your vehicle best.

There are two basic types of carpets available: Custom Molded Carpets and Custom Tailored Carpets. Custom Molded Carpets are ideal for newer vehicle models while Custom Tailored Carpets are great replacements for faded or frayed carpets in older, vintage vehicles.

Custom Molded Carpets

Ease-of-installation, skid-free surface and noise insulation are some of the few key features of Custom Molded Carpets. Like the name suggests, they will fit your vehicle to a "T". The raw material used to make this type of carpet is heated and set in a mold to conform to all contours of the vehicle's floor. Custom Molded Carpets are great for vehicles that are not originally equipped with carpeted panels. If you want a carpet that is sturdy enough to withstand high temperatures and installs without any ripples, bumps or seams, then a Custom Molded Carpet is what you should go for.

Shop for Custom Molded Carpets

Custom Tailored Carpets

Looking to replace that old, faded or frayed carpet and spruce up your vintage vehicle's interior? Custom Tailored Carpets make perfect replacements for your old and worn out carpets. These carpets are less expensive than molded carpets and can be used to cover the entire floor area, fender walls as well as the tailgate section.

Shop for Custom Tailored Carpets

Once you have chosen which type of carpet you want for your vehicle, it is time to decide what texture, fabric and material of carpet suits your needs best. To make this process easier, we have listed below the different textures and materials available and their features.

Auto Carpet Textures

There are two main types of textures available - Loop and Cut Pile.

Loop Carpet

Loop Carpets are made _x000D_ by pulling individual yarns through the carpet backing twice to _x000D_ form small loops on the face of the carpet. If you are looking for _x000D_ a carpet that will really take the beating, then a loop-textured _x000D_ carpet should be your ideal choice. They are durable and _x000D_ well suited to high traffic. One disadvantage of Loop Carpets is _x000D_ that it is harder to clean because of its "looped" texture.

Cut Pile Carpet

A Cut Pile Carpet is _x000D_ made in the same way as a Loop Carpet, the only difference is that _x000D_ the loops are cut off in the end. Cut-pile textured carpets _x000D_ have a luxurious look and feel soft and comfortable underfoot. These _x000D_ carpets don't trap dirt and are easy to clean and maintain.

Auto Carpet Fabrics/Materials

Auto carpets are available in different fabrics and materials such as nylon, polypropylene and polyester.

Nylon Carpets

It is the classic choice for carpets. _x000D_ A wee bit more expensive than others, you will never regret investing _x000D_ in nylon as it gives you durability and versatility like no other. _x000D_ Nylon is not really easy to clean so if you have a tiny tot who _x000D_ takes great pleasure in soiling your vehicle at regular intervals, _x000D_ may be this is not your kind of carpet.

Polypropylene Carpets

Polypropylene resists moisture, stains _x000D_ and does not fade. Well, if you feel there has to be a catch somewhere, _x000D_ here it is: Polypropylene has a low melting point so it can get _x000D_ damaged if it comes in contact with hot water or steam. But polypropylene _x000D_ is extremely easy to clean so this is what those who travel often _x000D_ with kids and pets should consider.

Polyester Carpets

It is less expensive, easy to clean and _x000D_ makes for an excellent carpet fiber, both because it looks and feels _x000D_ great. The downside, however, is that it doesn't have the durability _x000D_ that nylon offers.

When was the last time you gave a thought about what your vehicle carpet goes through day in and out? Well let us do the thinking for you - constant trips with your over-enthusiastic family and friends, who step in with muddy feet and think nothing about feeding your carpets cheese, chocolate or even soda, can take a heavy toll on your carpet! To help you grapple with stains better, we have put together some helpful hints that will help keep your carpet looking good as new for years:

A good vacuum session is like yoga to your carpet's soul, so drag out that vacuum cleaner and vacuum away. Don't wait until you get back home to get rid of spills like coffee, tea or chocolate as they become harder to clean when set. Rub across the stains immediately with a soft cloth and water until they start to disappear. A gentle rub with rubbing alcohol will take care of ink spills. Remember to blot the excess moisture from the carpet.

With proper maintenance and care, your auto carpet will give you value for money and many, many years of carpeted protection for your vehicle.

 Top