A carpet's pile is basically just all the yarn or fibers that you see on the surface of any carpet. And pile density refers to how closely each yarn or fiber is packed together. For instance, a carpet with high pile density has more yarn packed into any given area, while a carpet with low pile density has less yarn in any given area.
But what does this mean to your search for long-lasting carpet? Well, just as it's harder to break a group of sticks in half than it is to break a single stick, it's harder to mat down or crush a group of yarns packed tightly together. Plus, the tighter the yarns are packed, the better they can stop stains and soil from sinking down to the carpet's backing. So, a good general rule of thumb to follow when looking for long-lasting carpet is simply the higher the density, the better the performance.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that higher density carpets can be more expensive. And if you're considering cutting back on the density to better fit your budget, you might instead think about purchasing higher density carpet for your high traffic areas, and lower density carpet for areas that are not used often, such as a guest bedroom. This way, you migh be able to get the price you want without compromising on the performance needed to keep your carpet - and your home - looking better longer.
To find out about a carpet's density, just ask your Beckler's sales representative. Or take two carpet samples and bend them the way they might be bent over the edge of a stair. If you're looking at a higher density carpet, you'll see more yarn and less of the backing material.