Carpets: How to Buy The Right Carpet
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 Carpet installation is very different from other types of floor installations. Carpet does not require major subfloor preparation or extended drying time. However, installing carpet is time-consuming and requires thorough planning and a detailed layout. Seams should be hidden in low traffic areas, and patterns need to be matched carefully. The installation will require stretching with specific tools. It?s a difficult project to take on carpet installation, so you'll need help before beginning. The free pad accompanying your carpet purchase is not necessarily the correct one to use with your carpet, be sure to select the right pad as well as carpet. Carpet can be installed over most pre-existing floor coverings including wood and concrete. Also, be sure that you purchase more than enough carpet to cover your planned installation area; there could be a minor variation in color if additional carpet comes from a different dye lot. In choosing your carpet consider color: lighter colors provide a fresh and spacious feel but also more quickly show stains and dirt, darker colors and patterns hide stains well, but can sometimes make a room seem smaller. The actual construction and material of a carpet is another important factor which determines the carpet?s durability. Areas that will receive high traffic should be covered with a high quality fiber that will last longer. The kind of pad you buy will also be determined by the type of carpet. Try to use the best pad you can afford that works with your carpet to maintain the best return on your investment. Carpet Fibers: Nylon : Very durable, easy to clean, good stain resistance, but color can fade in sunlight. Polyester : Colors won?t fade in sunlight, great stain resistance, and very soft with thick cut pile. Olefin : It will resist moisture and static, and is virtually stain and fade proof but isn?t quite as soft as polyester. Acrylic : Less resilient than other synthetics, but offers good moisture resistance and resembles the appearance and softness of wool. Wool : More costly and less stain resistant than synthetics, but offers a luxurious look and texture with good durability and warmth. Carpet Construction : A carpet's top surface consists of yarn loops called pile pushed through a backing material. The loops are cut or left intact based on the chosen effect. The best way to judge the quality of a carpet is by the density of its pile. A carpet will be more durable, resist crushing, and repel stains better when the pile is packed more densely. Construction Types: Loop-Pile : Characterized by a textured look created rounded ends of uncut yarn loops pushed through the backing. The loops are arranged to create a pattern or can be placed randomly. This type of carpet is perfect for high traffic areas. Cushion-Backed : Created by gluing a foam backing directly to the carpet, removing the need for further padding. This type of carpet doesn?t require taking strips or stretching so it is easy to install. Although it generally costs less, it is usually a lower-quality product. Saxony Cut-Pile: Also known as plush carpet. The pile is trimmed at a beveled angle to alter its appearance, and is constructed to better resist matting and crushing. Velvet Cut-Pile: Used most often in formal living areas, it has the densest pile of any carpet. It is cut so that when brushed the color remains uniform. Click here for learn more about Flooring Options. The information on this site is provided for reference only and is provided "AS IS", "AS AVAILABLE" with no guarantee of accuracy. Information comes with no warranties, express or implied. Use the information from this site at your own risk. See our disclaimer for more details. |