CARPET

 Educational

carpet information

INTRODUCTION

Carpet is still the primary flooring choice for many. After all, it is relatively inexpensive, comfortable, easy to install and replace, and it offers an array of colors and textures. Carpet offers you more warmth, softness, and is much quieter than any other floor covering. Today’s carpet blends well with any home decor and with a variety of other flooring products. From traditional and formal to casual and country, we can help you find a carpet that will complement any interior setting and give you years of beauty and performance.

HOW CARPET FLOORING IS MADE

Fiber is the basic material of which carpet is made. Over ninety percent of all the carpet made today is made from synthetic fiber. The rest is natural fiber, most commonly wool. Synthetic fibers are made of one of three materials: nylon, polypropylene, or polyester. All three are created by similar chemical processes using oil and natural gas.

Almost 75% of carpet today is made of nylon and compared to the other fibers, it performs best overall. Nylon is the leader in appearance retention, fade and heat resistance, soil and stain resistance, and color and styling.

The next most common material used in carpet fibers is polypropylene. It has seen fast growth and represents more than 35% of the total fibers used in the carpet industry. While polypropylene is not as resilient or resistant to abrasion as nylon, it is naturally stain, fade, and moisture resistant. Polypropylene is most often used in loop pile carpet constructions.

The third type of material used in carpet manufacturing is polyester. It is well accepted for its bulkiness, color clarity, and stain and fade resistance. Today’s new technologies allow polyester to be a good performer.

The other type of fiber used in carpet construction is staple fiber, made from wool, and is a natural product. The wool used in today’s carpet comes primarily from New Zealand, Argentina, and the United Kingdom. Since wool is a natural fiber, it ranges in color from off-white to black, with many earthen tones in between. Although wool doesn’t stand up to abrasion and moisture as well as synthetics, it cleans well and is known to age gracefully. Wool is the most expensive carpet fiber and represents less than one percent of the U.S. carpet market.

how carpet made

CARPET STYLES

When it comes to carpet styles, knowledge is valuable, smart, and desirable. Knowing basic styles can provide you with a firm foundation upon which to begin your shopping journey. Choosing the ideal carpet style is about knowing the right combination of aesthetics, performance, and budget that meets the needs of your lifestyle.

Each style has its own characteristics and performance capabilities. You should carefully consider each style’s features, qualities, and conditions while making your buying decisions.

BEFORE NEW CARPET INSTALLATION

Being ready for the installation of your carpet will make the entire process go faster and more efficiently. Being knowledgeable and prepared for the big day when your new carpeting will transform your home will be a lot less stressful on you and your family.

Carpet installation is a skill that is developed through years of experience, so using professional installers is the smart choice. They will create a seaming diagram, or a “blueprint,” for the overall layout of the carpet, placement of seams, and transitions. This blueprint will assist them in the preparation and cutting of the carpet. Professionals excel at minimizing and hiding seams. They will ensure that seams are placed away from areas subjected to pivoting traffic and will not run seams perpendicular to doorway openings. Your professional installers will try to match the surface heights of various flooring products to minimize transitions

We want you to be as well prepared as possible for the installation of your new carpet. Remove all furniture and other objects from the areas to be carpeted. Remove old floor covering at least one day prior to installation to allow for cleanup and floor preparation. If removing old carpet, leave tack strips in place and pull the staples out the floor from the original pad. In many cases, moldings and baseboards need to be removed for carpet installation.

Your existing subfloor may need to be prepared to receive the carpet or a new subfloor may be required. There is always the possibility that doors may not clear the new carpet and swing free. Some installers will remove doors in order to install the carpet and rehang them. You may need to arrange for a qualified carpenter to provide this service after the installation of your new carpet. Installing new carpet will produce waste. Usually, these materials are collected by your installer and left at your trash collection site.

Be prepared to be at home the day of your installation. Be available in case the installation crew has any questions. Your presence will ensure that the correct carpet is installed in the right areas. Because it is difficult to estimate the length and circumstance of each job, installers may not be able to give you the exact time of arrival. We suggest you be flexible and keep in touch with your retailer and installer. A variety of tools will be used for your install and the area can be hazardous. Be sure that your children and pets keep out of the work area on installation day. We recommend that you do a walk-through with the chief installer prior to the completion of the installation. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and be clear about any final details.

Be sure to establish good ventilation after your install. Some of the chemicals used in the construction of carpet, as well as adhesives and seaming tapes, can have an odor for as long as 72 hours after installation. Shedding is a natural part of new carpet. Frequent vacuuming for the first few days should remove any loose fibers from the surface. Sprouting refers to small tufts of carpet that become visible after the installation. Use a small pair of scissors to carefully trim any tufts so they are flush with the surface of the carpet. If any wrinkles or ripples appear, it may be necessary to re-stretch the carpet. Please contact us to have this done professionally.

CARPET MAINTENANCE

Place walk-off mats wherever there are entrances to your home. A few dollars invested in these mats can prevent a lot of dirt from being tracked across your beautiful new carpet.

Buy a quality vacuum and use it regularly. Thorough vacuuming removes loose dirt and dust from the fibers. Over time these particles will dull your carpet’s appearance, so frequent vacuuming maintains the beauty of your carpet and extends its life. High traffic areas may need more vacuuming more often

Be aware that heavy furniture can compress or crush the carpet pile. They will also leave noticeable indentations. Rearranging your furniture periodically will help keep your carpet in top condition. Additionally, carpet that is near windows and patio doors can be subjected to harmful ultraviolet rays. These rays can deteriorate the carpet’s appearance and ability to withstand wear. If possible, be sure to use window treatments that offer some protection against sunlight

The longer you wait, the more the stain will soak into the fibers. Immediately blot up as much of the liquid or debris with a dry cloth. Don’t rub or scrub the area with a rag, as this damages the fibers and may create a permanent scar. Use warm water to rinse the stained area completely. Hot water can set the stain and make it difficult to remove. Press clean cloths deeply into the carpet to take up moisture until the stain no longer appears on the cloth. If a stain remover is needed, blot up excess moisture before applying. Work the remover in gently and use sparingly. Then thoroughly rinse the area with warm water and absorb the excess dampness with a clean cloth. After your carpet has dried, vacuum to restore its texture and appearance

Unfortunately, time and traffic will take a toll on your carpet. To protect your investment, cleaning by a reputable, professional cleaner is suggested approximately once a year. Call on their knowledge, equipment, and experience to do a more thorough job of removing stains and embedded soil. Be sure to read the care and maintenance literature provided by the manufacturer because different fibers and styles can each have their own unique guidelines. Consistent upkeep and professional cleaning will keep your carpet beautiful for years to come

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