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What Does Stain Resistant Carpet Really Mean?

April 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment

When you are shopping for carpeting for your home, you are bound to come across the term “stain resistant”. You may automatically assume that the term means your carpet will never be stained. It is important to understand exactly what stain resistant carpeting really means, so you will know exactly what you are buying.
What Does Stain Resistant Carpet Really Mean?
The first thing to remember is that no carpet is stain-proof. It can be resistant to staining, meaning that it is harder to stain, but that does not mean it will never stain. Stain resistant carpeting is coated with a chemical finish to repel liquid spills and dirt. The repelling makes it harder for the liquid or dirt to set into the fibers of the carpet.

Stain resistant carpet makes it easier to clean up spills and messes. As long as you address a spill right away, you can usually clean it with soap and water and never see the stain again. Stain resistant carpeting maintains its appearance longer than other types of carpeting because you do not have to worry that every drop of juice or mud will leave a stain. [Read more...]

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The Best Carpets For Allergies

April 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The Best Carpets For Allergies

If you or one of your loved ones suffers from allergies, it can wreak havoc on your life. Allergies can make it hard to enjoy day-to-day living. Allergies can make it difficult to even step outside during certain seasons. They can force you to be bound to the pollen count given by your local weather channel.

Allergies can also make it hard to choose flooring. Many allergy-sufferers avoid carpeting because it can trap dust, mold and other allergens in its fibers. However, it is possible to enjoy the soft comfort of carpeting, even if you have allergies.

When shopping for carpet, keep in mind that many of today’s synthetic materials are resistant to allergens. These synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, do not make good homes for allergens. These materials repel the allergens, rather than attract them. If you suffer from allergies, pay attention to the materials that comprise the fibers and avoid wool – it creates a perfect environment for allergens. [Read more...]

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Carpet Pads and Uneven Floors

April 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

You love your home. You love the details, the way it flows, and the memories that have been made over the years.

Yet once in awhile, its time for an update. It doesn’t have to be a big change; by replacing the floors, you can freshen up the look and feel, and make you fall in love with your home all over again.

When its time to replace the flooring and you choose carpeting, it sounds like an easy task. Simply rip out the old and install the new. But what if it isn’t as easy as that. What if you have an older home, and the house simply wasn’t built to today’s standards? What do you do if your subflooring is uneven? Is there a solution to the problem, or will you have to live with sloping floors?

When your home was originally built, before the decorative side of things – your flooring – was installed, a subfloor was installed to give it a suitable base. Its also used to house heating and air conditioning ducts. Properly constructed, they increase the life of the floor you actually walk on.

If the subfloor is uneven – not level – it may contain dips or slopes as you walk across the floor. They can be subtle; so subtle you don’t even notice it when the carpet is on top. But once its removed, that’s when the problems begin. Carpet Pads and Uneven Floors

It can cause a tripping hazard if it becomes more apparent.

It can cause wear and tear on your carpet, as you won’t be walking on it evenly, distributing pressure in uneven batches.

It can be a nuisance when trying to decorate. A long coach may suddenly have a wiggle or a rocking motion because of the different heights between legs.

If you are on a budget, the simplest solution is to lay carpet padding. Carpet padding adds a cushion between the subfloor and your carpet. It may cover up minor flaws and give the appearance of an even flooring. But keep in mind this is a temporary solution. The padding will wear out faster and unevenly, meaning your carpet will wear out faster in the long run.

For a more permanent solution, a leveling agent can be used. Because of the preciseness of the product, it is best handled by a professional between ripping out the old and installing the new.

You can also install plywood to bring the flooring levels up to a parallel level. Precise measurements should be used to lay plywood as needed. This is also permanent in nature, giving your floors a smooth and even look and feel.

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Does New Carpet Mean New Carpet Pad Too?

April 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment

You’ve decided to have new carpet installed. Yet its only been a few years since your current carpet was installed. Is the padding underneath still okay? Can you get by with shopping for carpet only?

Great question. Lets look at it from a variety of ways.

Carpet padding is simply the foundation of your flooring. Its installed to act as a cushion and a shock absorber between the subfloor and your carpet. When a carpet is manufactured, they stipulate the minimum pad weight density and maximum thickness required to assure this foundation is adequate enough to meet their expectations … and yours. While carpet padding is designed to insulate, add comfort, and improve vacuuming efficiency, the most important role is to limit movement in the carpeting itself. The less movement, the more your carpet stays in shape for years to come. In this case, every carpet comes with its own recommended padding … which may not be what was installed with your current carpet. Does New Carpet Mean New Carpet Pad Too

Technology also increases every year. And carpeting is no exception. With technological advances and an assortment of warranties on everything from material quality to texture retention, padding plays a big part in holding your flooring together. Just like you wouldn’t use a floppy disk in today’s computer, using yesterday’s padding with today’s carpet can seriously damage the warranty and the life of your new carpet choice.

When you purchase carpet and carpet padding, its easy to assume they are two separate units. But in reality, carpets life cycle stems from the wear and tear on the carpet padding. Yes, your carpet will undergo stress and strain from every day life. It will take the brunt of living – stains, pet odors, dirt and grime – and that must be cleaned and maintained every day. But the padding is what keeps your carpets looking good. Even if your pad is only a year or two old, it still sustained wear and abuse from use with your current carpets. New carpet is a major investment; and because new padding is only a fraction of the investment, why compromise quality? You may lose warranties or years of wear without replacing … why take that chance?

With these things in mind, and considering the vital role padding plays on the long term use of your carpet, its definitely worth the small investment for years of enjoyment in the future.

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Is Carpet Dead?

March 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Have you watched any of the home buyer shows on television? If so, you’ve probably noticed the one thing on everyone’s wish list … wood/tile floors. It seems as if everyone grimaces at the thought of carpet. But does that mean carpet is dead?
Carpets
Flooring is one of the most important features of a home. If you are buying a home, the flooring is likely to have a big impact on whether you make an offer. If you are selling a home, the flooring is likely to have a big impact on the number of offers you receive.

While carpet is still a popular flooring choice, it is quickly losing ground to wood, laminate, tile, and stone. [Read more...]

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Types of Carpet

January 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Whether you are moving into your first home or you are thinking about changing your existing carpet in your home now, it is important to understand the different types of carpet available.

Not all carpets are created equal. They have different qualities and different advantages/disadvantages. Before purchasing carpet, look at where the installation will take place, who will be walking on the carpet, and how often it will be walked on. Because there are so many options, it is important to weigh each one with care.

Pile

Cut pile is the most common type found in most homes. Made by cutting the regular loops of carpet fibers at the top, this carpet, gives the illusion of many yarn bundles piled on top of one another. People choose this texture because of its durability and resistance to looking crushed.

Cut and loop is another version of cut pile. This take on cut pile offers a bit more texture and durability. Available in solid and multi colors, this carpet is popular in areas of high traffic or areas with children.

Saxony

When two carpet fibers are twisted together, you get Saxony’s carpet. Similar to the cut pile, they are cut off at the top, yet the combination of the two fibers creates a softer, more luxurious texture. It can be used in many different settings, but it should be known that it shows footprints and other marks very easily.

There are also textured Saxony’s that offer a softer version of the regular Saxony’s. The textured version offers various colored combinations that make it more durable. It also makes footprints and other marks less visible.

Plush

For formal areas, plush carpet is common. It offers a look of luxury along with a feeling of softness underneath your feet. The level feeling of this carpeting offers the look of sophistication, but care should be taken because it does show every mark or footprint.

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What Carpet is Best for Allergy Sufferers?

December 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment

If you are an allergy sufferer, you could find that when you are around various carpeted rooms, your symptoms become worse. This is a common reaction for those with allergies and asthma, simply due to the presence of toxins, molds, dust, and debris that are trapped in the fibers of various carpets. If you are one of these allergy sufferers, there are a few things you should know about carpeting and minimizing your symptoms.

Type of Carpeting

Carpets that are made of synthetic materials are the best type for allergy sufferers simply because they repel the normal allergens that are found in carpets, such as dust or other harmful particles. The carpeting that you need to look for should have short hair, tightly woven fibers, and have a low VOC level in order to reduce the amount of chemicals that enter your home upon installation. [Read more...]

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How to Remove Candle Wax from your Rugs and Carpets

November 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Candles are beautiful, but when the wax drips on your carpet, it can be very frustrating. There are several simple steps to take in order to remove the wax from your carpet, but it is important to act quickly. The faster you attempt to remove the wax, the easier it will come up.

Scrape

As soon as you realize that wax has spilled, use a butter knife to try to remove as much as possible. A simple scraping motion will remove any hardened wax. If there is wax that is not yet hardened, you can use an ice cube on it instead of the butter knife to cause the wax to harden. You can then resume scraping with the butter knife to remove as much as possible. [Read more...]

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How to Remove Red Wine from Rugs and Carpets

November 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment

There is no fear quite like the one that you feel when you see red wine spilling onto your rug or carpet. Your first thought is to cringe, knowing that the stain is never going to come out. Luckily, with a few easy steps, you should be able to remove the stain without any traces of it ever existing.

Homemade Solution

It might surprise you that all it takes is a solution made up of hydrogen peroxide and Dawn dish soap. Combine equal amounts of both products into a spray bottle and shake thoroughly. Spray the solution directly onto your wine stain, thoroughly soaking the area. Once the area is soaked, use a clean, white cloth to blot up the stain. You will likely go through many cloths as you blot the stain up, as it will come onto the towel in large amounts. Continue this step until you have blotted the entire stain up. [Read more...]

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Christmas Trees and Carpets

November 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Christmas trees are a gorgeous addition to your home during the holiday season. They instill a feeling of holiday spirit and have incredible meaning when they are filled with your cherished ornaments from years past. Unfortunately, these beautiful trees bring with them unpleasant sap. When sap gets on your carpets, it can be the recipe for disaster.

Natural Method

If you catch the sap on your carpet right away, you can use the natural method to remove it. Regular rubbing alcohol is the only substance you need to remove the sap because of its drying nature; it dries the sap, making it much easier to remove. With a soft cloth that is moistened with rubbing alcohol, blot at the sap stain. If the sap is not deep down in the carpet, a few blots with the alcohol and a few blots with a clean cloth should remove it. If this does not remove it, you can help the alcohol work by rubbing it in with your fingers and then blotting with a clean cloth. [Read more...]

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