Posts

carpet-family-room

Flooring Series: Pet-Friendly Carpet

/in /by
carpet

What are a few pet-friendly carpet factors to consider.

The versatility and comfort of carpet make it a flooring pop star! Carpet materials are durable, comfortable, conserve energy and allow for great variations in color, pattern and design and that makes it a great choice for any home. But is your carpet choice pet-friendly? Whether making mischief or just having innocent accidents, many things can go wrong between your pets and your carpet. Before you sit back and kick off your shoes and dig your feet into a new carpet, here are a few pet-friendly carpet factors to consider.

Only the best for your little friend. Depending on your pet’s age, size and knack for trouble, choosing quality carpet materials will make a big difference in keeping your carpet looking great and save you money on cleanings and costly repairs over the long run. Carpeting made from nylon fibers will offer you stain-resistance and durability at an affordable price.

Look for the “stain-resistant” label. Chances are your companion’s going to make a mess of things now and then, so you want to look for carpets made of rich, stain-resistant and bleach-proof materials. Many carpets are designed with your pets in mind, equipped with special pet pads that prevent spills from soaking through to the subfloor and coated with innovative stain-resistant technology that helps your carpet stay clean and dry by repelling dirt and liquids.

Other things to keep in mind. When choosing a pet friendly carpet, consider the design. If you have a large dog, for example, you may want to shy away from loop yarn as your buddy’s nails can scratch or get snagged in the fiber and cause damage to the carpet. Additionally, the color and pattern of your carpet will not only make your home pop, but can also help hide excessive shedding. Also, consider alternatives to the traditional wall-to-wall carpet. Carpet tiles, for example, are a great option for pet owners as replacing damaged sections is a simple swap. Be sure to talk to your local carpet experts for tips on proper maintenance and help on finding the perfect carpet for you and your pet.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

padding

Pick the Perfect Padding

/1 Comment/in /by
padding

The backbone of your carpet’s comfort is the padding.

Underneath the surface of your carpet sits the backbone of your carpet’s comfort: the padding. Not really sure which carpet padding to pick? Does each room need a different type? Wait, there are different types?! Don’t worry, here’s a quick cheat sheet on what you need to know to pick the perfect carpet padding.

First, find out the carpet manufacturer’s general requirements. This will help you choose the thickness and density that you will need to make sure your carpet performs the way you want it to. Also, knowing the general requirements can help you avoid an issue such as having a carpet that is too thick and interferes with the anchoring of the carpet.

Second, determine how much traffic your carpet’s location will be getting. For bedrooms, dens, lounging areas, and rooms that receive only light to moderate traffic it is suggested that you get a thicker cushion. Living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, stairs and heavy traffic areas demand a thinner and firmer cushion.

Thirdly, be sure to learn your specific carpet type. There are many different constructions of carpet ranging form cut pile to level loop to patterned-pile so be sure to check the manufacturer’s recommendation for your carpet type to ensure that you pick the perfect padding.

Finally, be aware that if you have a heated floor system, underneath the carpet may require a specific cushion. Be sure to check the thermal resistance rating of both the carpet and the padding.

The many benefits of having the perfect padding includes an increase in the carpet’s comfort level, extending the carpet’s life, and helping reduce sound. Examine all your options and don’t be afraid to ask professionals for their opinion.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

nylon carpet

Four Basic Fibers Used in Carpet: Nylon Fibers

/in /by
nylon carpet

Four Basic Fibers Used in Carpet: Nylon Fibers

When it comes to carpet fibers, nylon is especially renowned for its strength and versatility. Nylon’s inherent durability make it ideal for lively, busy families and whether cut or loop pile, nylon can produce the greatest variety of carpet styles in the broadest array of colors, making it a great addition to your home.

Because it’s the toughest of synthetic fibers, Nylon carpet fibers make far more long-lasting carpets than any other. Naturally resistant to wear and tear, a nylon carpet will last up to 20 years. Nylon carpets are also super easy to maintain as nylon carpet fibers naturally resist dirt, stains, rot, mold and mildew, allowing your carpet to look and feel new for many years. And even with such a great reputation and wide range of benefits, nylon carpet is surprisingly affordable.

Of course, like with any other flooring material, nylon carpet fibers have some drawbacks. To maximize the life of your nylon carpet be sure to stay away from cleaning materials containing bleach or heavy acids as these can discolor and damage the carpet fibers. You should also make sure that your new nylon carpet is treated with an antistatic coating, as untreated nylon carpet fibers can build up quite a static charge, which may be harmful to some household electronics.

Out of the four basic fibers used in carpets, nylon is the strongest, most durable and common carpet flooring option around. Nylon fibers not only make super durable carpets, they allow for greater variety in color, pattern and design, making it a great and practical choice for any space in your home.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

carpet-bedroom

Four Basic Carpet Fibers: Polypropylene – Olefin fibers

/in /by
carpet

This carpet fiber is the most colorful of all the fibers and it is great in a sunlight-exposed area.

Only second to nylon, polypropylene, or more easily known as olefin, is one of the most popular and most used carpet fibers. Although it may not be as durable as nylon, it is very resistant to acid and bleach.

Olefin fibers are less expensive than nylon and is a great alternative when looking for a carpet that doesn’t necessarily have to be the toughest of the tough. This carpet fiber is the most colorful of all the fibers and it is great in a sunlight-exposed area.

Olefin is water resistant so it protects well against mold and mildew making it a great selection for an outdoor carpet. It always dries quickly so don’t worry about walking on a wet carpet for three days.

Olefin can be hard to keep clean. Even after the carpet is clean, streaks of dirt may reappear from being brought up off the base. Although this carpet fiber is very water resistant, it can fall victim to oil-based stains and grease.

This carpet fiber is best used in low traffic areas in the house, so avoid using it in the family room. It is also ideal for damp areas like basements and patios.

When shopping for an olefin carpet, look for one that has low pile or low loops. These low loops are very common and make it easier for wheelchairs or simple rolling chairs to roll over. Also, consider a darker color for it will help hide dirt or any scorch marks.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

carpet fibers

Carpet Fiber: PTT (Triexta Polyester)

/in /by

carpet fibers

PTT basic carpet fiber made from polyester carpet fiber

PTT, that’s Polytrimethylene Terephthalate-Trexita for your carpet gurus, is a basic carpet fiber made from polyester carpet fiber and by 1998 all the bugs were fixed and PPT could be commercially produced.

PTT is a resilient, yet soft, durable, easy to dye carpet fiber that can offer carpet buyers vibrant colors. It  is resistant to abrasion, stretching, shrinkage, and mildew; which shows its strength. Other qualities of the PPT carpet fiber include stain resistance to most chemical and all acid dyes and low water permeation and static generating properties.

In studies, PTT is shown to have a lower melting point than PET (similar carpet fiber), which means that the fibers are more easily damaged. However, PTT is more resistant to color loss caused by exposure to chlorine bleach.

PTT is not able to be treated with stain and soil resistance systems due to technical issues and the yarn’s lack of repellency can make spills difficult to clean up. Oil-based stains can be extremely hard to remove from a PTT carpet.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

carpet poly

Four Basic Fibers Used in Carpet: Polyester (PET) Carpet Fibers

/1 Comment/in /by
recycled carpet

When it comes to shopping for carpet, more and more buyers are looking at polyester carpet fibers.

Polyester is long-lasting, naturally stain resistant and incredibly affordable, which makes it a great option for any home. Out of the four basic fibers used in carpet, nylon gets the biggest rep for efficacy and durability. But PET (polyethylene terephthalate) polyester carpet fibers are every bit as capable and resilient as nylon and with a cheaper price tag to boot.

When it comes to shopping for carpet, more and more buyers are looking at polyester carpet fibers. PET polyester is engineered to impress, making for tougher carpets with more varied styles. But polyester carpet fibers are not only resilient, they make for excellent eco-friendly flooring. Made out of recycled materials, PET polyester carpet fibers can help you reduce your carbon footprint while keeping your home elegant and comfortable.

If you are concerned about polyester not being tough enough to make the cut, don’t sweat it. Thanks to many technological advances in yarn processing and carpet construction, PET polyester’s reputation as a high-performance fiber continues to grow. A well-constructed polyester carpet will be as resilient and perform just as well as nylon, while delivering exceptional softness and stunning color clarity.

Of course as with any carpet, keeping your carpet healthy requires some work. To get the most out of your polyester carpet, keep bleach and acid-based cleaning products at a safe distance. Also, polyester is super comfy and best-suited for low-traffic spaces, making it an excellent choice for bedrooms.

If you’re in the market for a new carpet remember, PET polyester carpet fibers offer exceptional stain and fade-resistance, and make for a really soft and budget-friendly option for any space in your home.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.

recycled carpet

Green Flooring Series: Recycled Carpet

/in /by
recycled carpet

Recycled carpet is a budget friendly option.

You don’t have to spend an absurd amount of money keeping your floors both attractive and environmentally responsible. Sustainable floors such as bamboo and cork are popular but also expensive. If you like the comfort and appeal of carpet, but you worry about what it does to the earth, you now have the option to purchase recycled carpet. Carpet fibers are constructed from plastics and hydrocarbons, which are easily broken down and reused.

Carpet that has been ripped up from homes and commercial businesses once had only one destination: the landfill. That is not always the case anymore. Companies are doing what they can to reduce the amount of waste created by carpet, and it’s being recycled into new carpet or used for other products such as plastic car parts. It’s better for the earth and it’s also better for companies and consumers.

When old carpet is recycled into new carpet, a number of benefits are present. First, there is no need to get new materials because the manufacturer isn’t starting from scratch. The original materials are present and able to be used again. They are creating more carpet, but they aren’t using what they don’t need. Instead, they are putting the old materials to work. All of the fibers and hydrocarbons in that old carpet are being used again, instead of going to waste and taking up space in a dump somewhere.

Consumers can feel good about carpeting their homes and workplaces with recycled carpet. It will not bust any budget, and it’s socially responsible. It also looks good. You’ll never know you’re getting anything other than brand new carpet on your floors.

This post was written by Thais Sousa. Follow Thais on Google.