New floor covering is a popular home improvement any time of the year, but especially prior to the holiday season. People from coast to coast rally to replace tattered goods with new material in anticipation of the throngs of visitors sure to call.

While many make hardwood their flooring choice, carpet remains the all-time favorite.

Warm and comfortable underfoot, available in a wide range of colors, patterns and textures, carpet is deservedly popular. A fitted carpet can do much to enhance and unify a decorative scheme, and modern fibers will stand a high degree of wear.

Carpet not only is attractive, but works hard for you, as well. It absorbs sound and thus cuts down on noise. Its natural insulating qualities also can reduce heating and air conditioning costs. And carpet has built-in features to help prevent slips. It also provides a cushioning layer of comfort underfoot. Best of all, today's "miracle fibers" are designed to resist stains, making cleanup quick and easy in most cases.

Not all carpet is created equal. The price and performance of a carpet is more likely to relate to the type and amount of fiber used and to the quality of construction, rather than the method of manufacture. Carpet density is directly related to the amount of yarn used. A simple density test that you can make when carpet shopping: Bend the carpet and note how close the individual tufts are to each other and how much of the backing is exposed. Press down with one finger and see how easy it is to penetrate the backing. The stronger the backing and the less backing exposed the better the carpet.

Another important factor in carpet construction is the "twist." The twist is the winding of the yarn around itself. The cut ends should be neat and well defined and should not "blossom" at the ends. In human-hair terms, this can be compared to split ends. The twist is set by heat or steam so the yarns can maintain their original look.

Tufted carpet is made by a process in which hundreds of tufts (pieces of yarn) are embedded into a backing material. Loop pile, cut pile velvets and plushes, saxonies and cut and loop pile are the most common types of carpet construction and texture.

The yarn in a loop pile forms a loop with both ends anchored into the carpet back. Loops are of equal height and uncut, creating a smooth level surface; or uneven, creating a textured surface. Berber, one of the most popular carpets, is one example of loop pile.

With cut pile velvets and plushes, the top of the yarn is neatly cut, leaving two individual tufts. This creates a luxurious level surface. Saxonies use yarns of two-or-more ply, twisted together and heat-set to lock in twist so each tuft is visible on the surface.

Cut and loop pile is a combination of cut and looped yarns that creates a variety of textures, including sculptured effects.

Roughly 97 percent of all carpets produced use synthetic fibers and are designed to feature style, easy maintenance, and outstanding value. Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Acrylic and wool are the five basic types of carpet pile fibers.

Nylon is by far the most widely used, representing two-thirds of all pile fibers in the United States. Wear-resistant and resilient, it has the ability to conceal and resist soils and stains. It is generally good for all traffic areas.

Olefin (polypropylene) is the fiber of which most Berbers are made. It is strong, resists wear and permanent stains, and is easily cleaned. Due to its resistance to static electricity, moisture and mildew, it's an excellent choice for sports surfaces and patios and game rooms.

Noted for its luxurious, soft, cut-pile textures, polyester has excellent color clarity and retention. It is easily cleaned and is resistant to water-soluble stains.

Wool is best known for its luxury and performance. It is soft, has high bulk, and is available in many colors. Generally, wool is somewhat more expensive than synthetic fibers and is not recommended in areas where it can be subject to spills by little ones.

The overall appearance and lasting quality of an installed carpet has a great deal to do with the cushion or "pad" below. A firm and resilient cushion is necessary for a good foundation for your carpet, increasing its comfort and extending its life by absorbing the impact of foot traffic. Cushion also adds insulation and reduces noise. There are a variety of pad materials and thicknesses. Check with your flooring professional as to the appropriate cushion for your carpet.

Two of the most frequently asked consumer questions are, "How much do I need?" and "What will it cost?" Carpet is sold by the square yard. To determine the approximate quantity of carpet needed, multiply the length of the room by its width in feet, and divide that figure by nine for square yardage. Add a safety factor of ten percent to account for room irregularities. For unusually shaped rooms and stairs, it is best to have your retailer or installer make final measurements. They will account for rooms with widths greater than the standard 12 feet and will include material required for hallways and closets, pattern matches and seam placement.

As for cost, there is a wide range. Carpet can be installed for as little as $6.99 or as much as $75 per yard. Average quality carpet will run between $16 and $25 per yard including pad and installation. Ask yourself how long you expect to keep your carpet before replacing it. A better grade of carpet will cost more, but will give you a greater length of service which could end up costing less in the long run.

Buy the best carpet you can afford for the heavy traffic areas. A medium grade will provide good service in rooms with less traffic.

For more about carpet buying and care, call the Carpet and Rug Institute in Dalton, Ga. at 1-800-882-8846. They have several free consumer brochures.