When we chose the flooring in our house, we were given an allowance to use for upgrades. We used the entire allowance on the tile for the kitchen, entry, laundryroom and bathrooms. We had to go with the cheapest grade of carpet that we could have installed, knowing that down the road, it is much easier to replace carpet than it is to rip up vinyl flooring and replace it with tile. (Hardwood in the dining room will also be a relatively easy project compared to tiling, so the carpet in that room will be replaced eventually too).
Planning on having kids, and perhaps a puppy someday, the cheap carpet that we are actually planning on replacing was also a good idea. Already, we've had to pull out the "Little Green" machine to catch spit up and other things that come with having babies around. It is still good looking carpet, and I'm not unhappy with it, but we are looking forward to a nice berber carpet in the high-traffic areas eventually.
Until then, we have carpet with a thin backing, which allows those tack strips to poke through. Yesterday, I had enough. Most of the time, it's just an annoyance, a little prick. Sometimes, it requires a band-aid. I like to be able to walk around the house in sock feet, and not have to think about where I step.
I remembered what Britt told me about Steven and Ashley's new condo and the carpet tack problems there. I was inspired to follow Ashley's example. I went around with a hammer and banged down every inch around the doorways and the fireplace downstairs. I haven't done the stairs or the upstairs yet, but will soon, as the ones on the stairs are the worst.
