Phenix Carpet – In Brief
Phenix Carpet is a brand synonymous with flooring designed for family traffic, stains, spills and pets. You can expect to pay $2 to $4 per square foot of carpet from Phenix, from five main ranges. Phenix’s carpets are designed to be easy to install, with extensive warranties available for added protection.
When shopping for carpet, most consumers look for value, price and style.
Many also stick with a brand they know and trust.
However, if you haven’t shopped for carpet in a while, there may be brands you are unfamiliar with.
Phenix is a brand that is common and of great value, though they may not be that well known.
At least not yet.
This article will aim to change that. We will also provide you with an in-depth guide of the costs, features and even the negative sides of this brand.
Phenix Carpet Top Products
Phenix carpet may not offer as many choices as larger brands, but they make up for it in style and features. Here are the top sellers from this brand.
- SureSoft. Available in regular, SD and SDN, SureSoft is the Phenix signature carpet style.
- ColorSense. Available in almost every option, ColorSense technology gives your carpet a more drastic appearance.
- FloorEver & FloorEver PetPlus. Designed for high traffic areas and homes with children and pets, these styles are long lasting and durable.
- Microban. Phenix carpets with Microban offer total protection from allergens and odors.
- Modern Contours. For a more modern take on carpet style, this feature-rich carpet performs as well as it looks.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Right Carpet for Your Needs
Coverage Area
When installing carpet, everything from materials to labor will be measured (or calculated) in square feet. Knowing this important measurement will ensure you buy enough product, don’t get over charged on labor and installation costs and removes the need for additional trips to the store.
To get the square footage of your project space you simply measure the length and width of the room, home or area and multiply the numbers together. For example if your living room is 12 feet long and 10 feet wide, it is 120 square feet.
Carpet Fiber Type
Carpet fibers come in a lot of different types. From wool and cotton to nylon and polyester, each has their own advantages and disadvantages. For Phenix your choices come down to nylon and polyester almost exclusively.
Each one has a great color retention and durability mixed with a softness and weave pattern to promote low maintenance.
Colors, Patterns and Styles
The second major decision you need to make is what you want your carpet to look like. From natural tones and shades to dramatic colors and vibrant designs, your carpet should tie the room and décor together.
Padding and Subfloor
When installing carpeting, it is important that you get the right padding thickness and inspect your subfloor for damage. Proper installation, warranty concerns and prevention all come down to a great pad and level, undamaged subfloor.
Pro Tip: Don’t overlook the importance of carpet padding. Remember, a high-quality padding can significantly extend the lifespan of your carpet, not to mention making it feel softer and more comfortable underfoot. It may be an added cost, but trust me, it’s worth every penny in the long run.
Carpet Cleaning and Treatments
Carpet is fairly easy to care for, but depending on your foot traffic situation it may be more detailed than others. High traffic areas or homes with pets will need to clean and deodorize the carpets more often. Having the right vacuum for your carpet as well as a shampooer will help keep your carpet fresh, clean and looking great.
Pro Tip: Something I used to overlook was regular carpet cleaning treatments. This can help extend the life of your carpet significantly. I recommend going for Phenix Carpets treated with Microban as it offers an added layer of protection against bacterial odors and stains. Don’t forget to add regular professional deep cleaning into your carpet maintenance routine too, it will make a huge difference!
Cost and Warranty
Finally the cost and warranty are going to be major concerns. We will cover costs in more detail later, but you should account for carpeting, padding, old floor removal, clean up, installation, and miscellaneous labor.
These can add up to over $12 per square foot in some cases.
The carpet warranty is also important. Depending on the fiber, amount, type and even additive features (stain blocking, odor protection, etc) your warranty can last a few years or be with you forever.
Phenix Carpet Styles
Considering some carpet companies have been in business since the 1800s, a company only being founded in 2006 is relatively new. In the last 15 years, though, Phenix has made a name for themselves and leaps over other brands to become one of the most popular brands for installers.
Pro Tip: When selecting your Phenix Carpet, make sure to take into account the type of traffic your carpet area will face. If your home is always bustling with kids and pets, I’d personally suggest going for the FloorEver PetPlus. Its durability is well-tailored for high traffic and the necessary occasional spills and accidents.
Style Options
The main style choices are from the SureSoft line. There are three in total including SureSoft, SureSoft SD and SureSoft SDN. The main difference here is the fiber material and how it is dyed.
SureSoft is the only carpet in the collection that is piece dyed. Piece dyed carpet uses high levels of chemicals and offers mild stain resistance, which is why it is falling out of favor with most major manufacturers, including Phenix.
Instead of the SureSoft polyester, you may be more interested in the SureSoft SD. Also made from PET, or polyester, the SD stands for Solution Dyed. Solution dye uses less chemicals, costs less and offers high levels of stain resistance.
With this dye method you can create intricate patterns, which Phenix has done. Not only will you find great detail, vibrant colors and intricate designs, but you will also find nice, smooth and natural colors.
The SureSoft SDN is your other option. As before, you will find vibrant colors, patterns and designs as well as muted and natural colors. The difference comes in the name. The SDN stands for Solution Dyed Nylon.
Because of this durability, all SDN carpets come with the “FloorEver” limited lifetime warranty. The other types come with a range of warranty coverage depending on the accessories, additives and extra protections the selections may have.
For a full listing and all instructions you can check out the Phenix warranty guide. Note that you must have the right padding and the carpet must be installed professionally. If you decide to install the carpet yourself, you will automatically void all warranties.
Treatments and Cleaning
If, for example, you have a StainMaster treated carpet and there is a stain, you first need to deal with StainMaster before making a claim with Phenix. Cleaning the carpet requires regular vacuuming and sporadic shampooing.
You should use a CRL approved vacuum. The fiber type, pile height and amount of carpet will determine the best vacuum for your carpet. As far as shampooing and maintenance, it is a judgment call, but shouldn’t be done too often.
At most, once a month is plenty, though every 90 days for high traffic areas is recommended. We have a long list of the best carpet cleaners if you need to buy a new one for your Phenix carpet.
Installing Phenix Carpet
In many cases we talk a little about how carpet can (though shouldn’t) be DIY installed. The Phenix warranty requires professional installation.
If you don’t have a list of at least three contractors to get your estimates from, we can help. The pro finder tool is a free to use app that will give you local, vetted and background checked professionals.
Where to Buy Phenix Carpet
Phenix carpets are sold through local dealers in the US and Canada. To find the local retailers and dealers you need to either make a lot of phone calls or simply use the finder. On the Phenix website you can enter your zip code and get instant results for local dealers
What People are Saying
The response to Phenix carpet has been overwhelming. In fact, there are only 5 listed complaints with the BBB, which gives the company an A+ rating. Of the 5 complaints, though, only 2 of them listed blamed the manufacturer and the other 3 were about the dealer that sold the carpet.
Phenix Carpeting Vs. Other Brands
Phenix Vs. Mohawk
Mohawk is the largest flooring manufacturer in the world and the second largest carpeting manufacturer. Their carpet is considered premium and has a higher cost. Along with that cost, though, is one of the most durable, reliable and well reviewed carpets on the planet.
Mohawk carpet features the largest selection of carpet styles, fibers and colors you will see. With over 200 styles each with 20 or more colors and patterns, it is easy to get lost in their options. However, if you have a specific pattern, style or décor in mind, you are sure to find an answer.
With Phenix, your choices are more limited. 100 total styles each with 12 to 20 styles, takes your options from over 4000 to just over 1000. Still plenty to get caught up in, but a much easier choice if you are just browsing.
Phenix Vs. Shaw
Where Mohawk is the second largest carpeting company, Shaw is the first. Shaw carpets are also considered premium and have an even higher price point than Mohawk. This puts companies like Phenix in the mix because their styles are great and their prices are more affordable.
However, Shaw carpeting is considered the best. You won’t find a better design, better plush or more complete carpet anywhere. For every best of list you read about carpeting, Shaw will be there. This isn’t by accident.
The only negative thing to really say about a Shaw carpet is how much you pay for it. Not only is the carpeting itself more expensive, but the installation is generally higher in cost, too. This makes Phenix and similar brands alluring.
Phenix Vs. StainMaster
Phenix, like many carpet manufacturers, uses StainMaster products on their fibers. For decades now, StainMaster has been the go-to for stain resistant additives for carpet fibers and materials. Couches, flooring and automotive upholstery all use the products made by the brand.
Recently, the company decided to manufacture their own carpet and it is worth every accolade it has received. The carpets are full, plush and comfortable. They all also come with StainMaster protection, of course.
At a Glance
Brand | Selections | Color/Style Options | Warranty | Cost |
Phenix | 5 primary | Over 1700 | 25 years to lifetime | $2 to $4 per sq. ft. |
Mohawk | 200 | Over 4000 | Up to lifetime | $4 to $8 per sq. ft. |
Shaw | 150 | Over 2500 | Up to lifetime | $4 to $9 per sq. ft. |
StainMaster | 25 | Over 1000 | Up to 50 years | $2 to $4 per sq. ft. |
Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Excellent warranty coverage | Not all styles available in all locations |
Easy to install | Not as eco-friendly as some brands |
Multiple options for style and color | Stain and odor protection are extra |
Sold in the US and Canada | |
Stain and damage resistant |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here, we will answer some of the most common questions about Phenix and carpet in general. If you have further questions, please feel free to ask us in the comment section below.
Q. Is Phenix carpet any good?
- Phenix carpet is considered a mid-range product. However, this is based on price and overall performance. If you stick with the higher end products that offer higher stain and odor fighting properties, you find they match or even exceed larger, more popular brands.
Q. Does Phenix carpeting resist stains and odors?
- Not all of the Phenix options have stain, odor and damage fighting properties. You should stick with the SureSoft SDN and those few others that offer StainMaster and PetProtect additives.
Q. How do I clean Phenix carpets?
- Regular once or twice weekly vacuuming is recommended with a 90 to 120 day shampoo treatment will keep your carpets fresh, vibrant and looking like new.
Q. Can I install carpet myself?
- It is possible to install carpet as a DIY project. However, for Phenix carpeting, you will void any and all warranties if the carpet is not professionally installed.
Q. Does Phenix offer commercial carpeting?
- Yes. New to the brand in the last few years, Phenix on Main is the commercial branch. They offer several styles and options of high-traffic commercial grade, broadloom and tile carpeting.
Conclusion
Phenix is a relative newcomer to the carpeting industry. With less than 20 years in production, you find that the brand has carved a name for themselves in homes across the country.
With durable, soft and comfortable carpeting, it won’t be long before everyone knows the brand and mentions them in the same breath as Mohawk, Shaw and Pergo.
Are they the right fit for you and your needs? The answer is highly likely a yes. However, they do still use piece dying on some of their styles and those heavy chemicals aren’t the most eco-friendly option. Beyond that, though, we find it hard to fault them on anything and are sure you will be pleased with any purchase you make.