Shaw Carpets is easily one of the most well-known carpet brands on the market. Owners of the largest mills in the united states, they have the resources for continued research and development of their products.
As such, Shaw continues to innovate and create new trends for their vast carpet product line. This includes a wide array of styles, fiber blends, and backing options at every price point.
It’s daunting to think how many homes have Shaw carpets on their floors, but are they happy with their investment? Let’s look at some of the things that the biggest name in the carpet game gets right as well as some places they might improve.
Appearance and Style
This is one department where Shaw carpet really has it all. Just about any color and pattern you can imagine is available in a carpet to fulfill your deepest interior designer fantasies. This includes everything from a textured rental beige to shaggy hot pink.
Styles here range from simple looped berber, formal cut and loop patterns, and more casual cut-pile texture and twist carpets.
“Twist” is another name for frieze or what some might call “shag”. However, you might find that these twist carpets are a more updated and modern version of your parent’s old shag carpets.
That’s not to say that Shaw doesn’t make some decidedly classic looks. Whether you are restoring an older home and keeping it retro or seeking to modernize with a Carrera marble-look pattern, you will have many options.
Construction and Durability
Shaw has their wide carpet selection categorized into six major collections based on style and quality. This ranges from the builder-grade Foundations collection all the way up to the luxe Caress collection.
The Foundations collection is the most basic carpet of the group. With both polyester and nylon offerings, this collection is designed with the contractor or house-flipper in mind. You will also frequently find this product in rentals.
While the price tag may be alluring, it’s important to note that the carpets in this collection are quite thin with an average of a 25-30 oz. face weight, basic fiberglass backing, and a limited warranty of up to 10 years on most styles.
The Simply the Best collection is very similar to the Foundations collection in its construction and durability. However, it offers more modern and on-trend colors.
The next step up in quality is the TruAccents collection. These are also polyester carpets but feature an enhanced fiberglass backing and an average of 35-40 oz. face weight. You can expect a 10-year texture, abrasive wear, and quality assurance as well as a 15-year stain and soil warranty.
The Colorwall collection is perhaps one of the most well-known from Shaw. Like the name implies, the color selection here outdoes the rest. This is also where you can find mid-range nylon fiber and backing upgrades.
The majority of Colorwall styles features a soft backing. Many homeowners and remodelers find this desirable as the softer backing is less likely to damage baseboards or walls when it’s installed. The backing also “breathes” which allows moisture to evaporate.
There is also a handful of shorter pile styles in this collection that feature the Lifeproof waterproof backing. This special plastic backing prevents spills from seeping into the carpet, pad, and subfloor. This type is ideal for pet owners or families with small children.
While the shorter pile does make it easier to clean, it also sacrifices some of the comfort afforded to thicker and denser options.
All styles in the Colorwall collection are made from Shaw’s proprietary Anso nylon fiber and treated with their R2X stain blocker. This nylon is solution dyed and the stain blocker works to close the dye sites to create a product that is colorfast and stain-resistant.
You can also expect more comfort underfoot from this collection, with an average 45-50 oz. face weight. The durable nylon fiber ensures that even a thick carpet like this won’t mat down or look worn for years to come.
Colorwall styles have a lifetime stain and soil warranty, including pet urine, and a 20-year texture and abrasive warranty.
The Bellera collection also has the waterproof backing. However, this is a polyester carpet with a slightly higher pile and less of a warranty—only ten years. This collection would be more appropriate for a nicer rental or an active family on a budget.
Finally, the Caress collection is every bit as luxurious as it sounds. With names like “Angora” and “Cashmere” it’s easy to believe this carpet is soft enough to nap on. This nylon carpet boasts an ultra-dense face weight ranging from 75-100 oz.
Furthermore, Caress has a soft backing and is stain-treated so your cloud-like carpet is protected. Even so, this carpet comes with a lifetime stain and soil and a 20-year texture and abrasive wear warranty.
Overall, Shaw’s products are generally well-made and durable. However, you will have to do your part to follow the manufacturer recommendations to care for your carpet properly and to maintain the warranty. This means getting a professional hot-water extraction cleaning once a year and only using approved carpet vacuums.
Ease of Installation
Carpet isn’t typically the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a floor covering that’s easy to install. That’s not to say that it isn’t impossible for a handy homeowner to tackle on their own. A small, square bedroom and closet, for example might be easy enough.
However, larger jobs with multiple seams, special cutouts, or patterns are best left to the pros. Pros have access to special tools like power stretchers to make the job go faster and have the special skills to achieve a high-quality carpet install.
Shaw carpet specifically isn’t more or less difficult to install than other carpet brands. However, if you select a carpet with the waterproof Lifeproof backing, this has been known to give some installers trouble.
The tough plastic backing can be difficult to stretch in without gaps or ripples. Making sure your carpet is properly acclimated to the installation area can alleviate some of this headache.
Cost
Shaw’s wide carpet range means there’s something for just about every budget. It’s also widely available at big box stores, local flooring retailers, and online.
Starting at the basic Foundations line and the other basic polyester collections, you can expect to pay around $15-$25 per square yard. You can expect any mid to upper-grade Shaw nylon such as Colorwall to run around $35-$45. The top-of-the-line Caress collection can cost anywhere from $65-$100 per square yard.
Carpet prices can often be tied to fiber type, backing type, warranty, and face weight. Different weights in the same color will often have a $10 to $15 difference depending on the collection.
You will also have to factor in the price of the carpet pad. A high-quality carpet pad can greatly extend the life of your carpet as well as provide comfort, noise reduction, insulation, and floor protection. These can run from $3-$9 per square yard.
Shaw has their proprietary pads such as the Charity 8 lb. and Victorious 10 lb. These are high-quality pads, but you may use other brands of the same specifications without voiding your warranty. If you are not sure your pad meets the requirements, you can check with the manufacturer.
Depending on where you like to shop, you can expect Shaw carpet to go on sale frequently. Many mom and pop flooring retailers also take part in Shaw’s in-house financing program that has perks such as low- and no-interest promotions.
Sometimes, you can get lucky and take advantage of sales plus financing to make your large project extra affordable. However, not every retailer allows you to “double dip” on these offers.
Many carpet stores also offer in-house professional installation services. These can also run $3-5 per square yard. Beware of anyone offering “free installation” with a carpet purchase. The installation isn’t actually free because they “bury” the cost in the price of the product.
So, you may be getting lower quality carpet at a much higher price due to your “free” install.
The Verdict
If you’re out shopping for carpet, you will most likely see Shaw everywhere you go. It’s a tried and true brand with a decent track record and with so many years in the industry, they have had time to get their products right.
Whether your project budget is big or small, Shaw probably has something in your price range. However, like all carpets, you get what you pay for. It’s unrealistic to expect a builder-grade polyester to perform like a nylon, for example—and Shaw carpet is no exception to this.
Overall, you should have an easy time finding something you’ll love that fits the needs of your project and have peace of mind with Shaw’s warranty packages that cover carpets from renter beige to bubble gum pink shag.
Do you have Shaw carpet in your home? How do you like it? Tell us in the comments.
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We purchased Shaw/Find your comfort novel solid B vintage quilt carpet August 2018 for our upstairs bedrooms and downstairs computer room. There’s only 3 of us, all adults. We also have a service dog who gets his feet washed every night before bed. The dog does not go in the computer room. We remove our shoes before walking on the carpet. This carpet looks like 6 kids live here. It’s in awful shape. It’s worn where we walk, is discolored in places, has a traffic pattern. There’s no cushion to it at all. I am so disappointed in this carpet. and would not recommend it to anyone. Pure garbage.
We have the Shaw Luxe Caress Collection in our bedroom and I love it. My husband always comes in after yard work with his shoes on and tracks through the bedroom. The carpet is 4 years old and still looks brand new. It is so soft and plush on the feet, I would buy this carpet all over again.
We have been big fans of Shaw Flooring for many years as we had their hardwood products in our last home for over 15 years. Upon moving to our new home we wanted to replace all of the carpet and wood flooring, and again looked to Shaw products expecting similar satisfaction.
We purchased Shaw Smart Thinking carpet for all of our bedrooms, both offices and stairs. We have had the carpet installed for a little over a year and cannot believe how worn it already looks.
We contacted the vendor who we purchased the product from to have them provide an opinion on if it was performing at what they felt was an acceptable level for a carpet only a year old. They were very surprised at the level of wear that was already showing and suggested we submit a warranty claim, which we did.
Not knowing if what we were seeing was “normal” for this product we followed their advice and started the process of submitting a warranty claim. Information we provided to the inspector included how often we vacuumed the carpets (weekly), do we have pets (no), do we wear shoes in the house (no), have we had the carpet shampooed (yes, once) and how many people do we have in our home (4).
After waiting for about two months we finally received a response from Shaw stating that the “traffic patterns” we were seeing are due to matting and crushing of the fibers caused by an improper vacuum schedule and not being cleaned. Additionally the “bearding” we are seeing below the chair in front of of our computer station is a result of site agitation.
I have never written a review of any product previously but am so disappointed in how this product has performed under clearly normal daily activities that I feel the need to inform other consumers before they make the same mistake we have made. Additionally, the response received regarding why we are experiencing the abnormal wear on the carpet is insulting. I am so disappointed that Shaw has chosen to hide behind absurd warranty claims instead of taking care of a long-time repeat customer.
If you are considering a Shaw carpet product and do not intend on vacuuming “daily” but do plan to walk on the carpet then expect to see the carpet begin to matte and fibers show bearding within a year after installation. It should also be expected that according to Shaw this type of deterioration is acceptable and should be expected.
I bought Shaw Always Active color 152 Mastepiece in 2015. I have a cat who coughs up hairballs. I have used different products to clean the area, including plain water. Everywhere I cleaned left a lightened area, which never happened on my carpet in other rooms (not Shaw). Shaw blamed the cleaner I used and would not stand behind their product. In disgust, I am now ripping out the Shaw carpet and putting in Stainmaster, something I should have done from the beginning. Don’t buy any of their products if they won’t stand behind their warranty.
I work with animals and have cleaned carpets a ton. It makes sense it was the cleaner. They can’t take on issues of cleaners we use, the scope of that is crazy.
Hmmm…after reading the re iews i have to think hard. We were going to get Shaw Find Your Comfort as they said it wont matt down on stairs. Now, not so sure I can trust the brand.
What carpet did you end up getting for your stairs? How is it wearing? I’m looking for a plush look that won’t mat and has a good stainproof factor.
I have Shaw carpet in my living room for the past 21 years . I clean it twice a year and it looks brand new . And I have 5 cats that get sick and have coughed up hairballs and NO stains or wear .
I have No complaints . The color is as bright as the day it was installed . I did not purchase the cheapest grade , but the grade below the highest . I also purchased good padding , not the cheapest . The Shaw carpet I have is very good .
We are looking at the Bellera polyester collection. Would you please let me know what you purchased? I am concerned now with reading bad reviews.
Shaw carpet is garbage they do not stand by there product. A 25 year warranty on a carpet they would not honor it. They want to blame it on the installation people, everytime I ask for the cooperation no they would give me the run around, I would not buy anything from them if they act like this about carpet it’s probably the same thing with there flooring very disappointed,displeased and angry about this company no honor about this company.
Good to know, did you install a 100% nylon carpet or other fiber?
Heard the 100%nylon carpet wears nicely and lasts long time. Thanks
Which carpet did you buy?
Had Shaw carpet for 20years and it held up well.Replaced it last year and it is already showing traffic patterns and color differences and it’s only the two of us there are also many loose/hanging strands. Will never get Shaw again. Very disappointed.
What fiber type did you replace it with?
We have had Shaw carpet on our floor 25+ years. Through 2 children 5 dogs in a living room that you have to go through to get to the bathroom or bedrooms, not one stain. Only in the last year have we started to see a traffic pattern. If only it was cranberry which was the color to have when we bought it, I wouldn’t be considering replacing it.
Can’t praise shaw carpets highly enough,from measuring and quoting a price to the fitting of the carpets.chris the fitter and mate did a excellent professional job in double quick time
Have to agree with the previous comments that Shaw carpet is terrible. We have a solution died nylon (satin dreams range) that has changed colours in patches from the original grey/silver to a highly visible brown -red. The carpet has badly matted down despite weekly vacuuming and regular professional cleans. Our carpet cleaner reckons it’s such cheap quality that it will need to be replaced. This was not a cheap carpet and the retailer promised it would be bullet-proof and hold up well. It’s the first and last time we would put a solution dyed nylon down.
Same here. We spent A LOT on carpeting “stain resistant”, “pet friendly”, we have no children and are very careful on flooring. Less than two years old, I have two areas that are light colored after using “shaw” carpet cleaner… It’s garbage…
I purchased an upgraded quality of Shaw carpet that had a life-time warranty never to wrinkle but about a year after installation, the whole house and stairs started to wrinkle. It is now so bad that it has folded upward in several traffic areas and presents a tripping hazard. A Shaw rep came out to the house and identified it as having their ‘signature backing’ for non-wrinkle carpets and took a sample with him back to the factory to see why it failed but they later declined to replace it. The rep knows that I have a walking/balance disability and am at risk of injury but they gave reasons OTHER THAN THE FAILED PERFORMANCE OF THEIR CARPET for not replacing it. That’s how they maneuvered their way out of their responsibility to .
I am ready to replace my upstairs carpet and thought Shaw was to be my choice. After witnessing the treatment my son and daughter-in-law received regarding their defective Shaw carpeting from both the retailer and Shaw I have completely reversed my decision. I will NEVER use Shaw. Light spots are appearing over their carpeting in multiple areas. After many contacts were made to the retailer and Shaw, though they admit the carpet is losing its color, their claim to right the situation has been denied. Such poor quality and customer service! Shame on Shaw !
This is exactly what has happened to my carpet. The carpet looks pinkish in two very obvious areas and cannot be fixed. Our installer refuses to come back.. The carpet is junk!
I got Shaw carpet Great Beginnings.. Showed wear in a few months. After huge battle with them and them saying it was our dog, our sweeper, and everything in between, they replaced it. I upgraded ( I thought) paid more and got a lower weave Free Spirited as my replacement thinking the low fiber would surely hokd up well. The original installer had gone out of business so got another. They reinstalled the new stuff. In a few months it started to show wear. I called and after a year of dickering they re replaced it. I had to sign and have notarized a statement that left me nowhere to go if this carpet failed. Well, it’s already showing wear and it’s only been 7 months! We thought we finally had good carpet. We are retired, low traffic, have 1 dog and 1 declawed cat. Have a Dyson sweeper. Now you tell me why it’s wearing already. No One has even had time to cause wear patterns yet but we already have them after this short period of time. Obviously the carpet. 3 complete housefuls of carpet in 4 years. Still have problem. Wouldn’t deal with Shaw again. They blame everyone but themselves. I’ve had a houseful of several carptings for over 40 yrs in this house. I am flabbergasted that I’ve had these problems!
Ordered 750 square of nylon Keep Going carpet. It was defective. A claim was made and they are paying me 750 for the carpet. I paid 2,500. Called a few places for replacement and nowhere can I replace a carpet for that size room for 750. Very bad company to work with. The claim was made through my retailer. Rip off
SHAW QUALITY IS HORRIBLE!
We ordered two different Shaw Tuftex carpets for our new home. The carpet in one room came with a very visible 5 inch wide stripe of lighter color across the width of the carpet. (No, it was not “roll crush”) The other had a slight color change between the start and end of the roll, which showed clearly when one 12′ wide strip was laid next to the other. Both were obvious manufacturing flaws. Shaw was very slow in resolving our claim, first trying to send someone out (after another month wait) to try to die the color differences on the installed carpet. Then, after another month delay, they sent an a carpet inspector. Then they sent a carpet cleaner to try to steam out the color difference, before they finally acknowledge the manufacturing defect. They have now installed replacement carpet, only to discover that it contains the same stripe problem in one area as the initial carpet they removed.
What is this website? A paid ad for Shaw?
Hi Ted, sorry to hear you had a bad experience with Shaw’s product & thank you for reporting!
As to your comment at the end of your post, we do not accept paid review offers from manufacturers. All of our writers aim to produce fair & objective work without being influenced by advertiser payments.
I have been a carpet installer for 30 plus years and have never seen such GARBAGE as the carpet i just installed. The pattern on the carpet is off 3.5 inches in 10 feet which means that the seems are very visible. 3.5 in. in 10 feet. i received a new piece and it was off the same amount. The customer was VERY UPSET(HOUSE NEEDLESSLY TORN UP FOR 2 WEEKS DEC 21-JAN3) Since i sold the job I had to eat $500. Worst company ever. Will never sell a shaw job again.