What to Know Before Buying Carpet
Buying carpet for the first time can seem overwhelming, but when you know all the pros and cons of the most common carpet styles and fibers-as well as a few translations of showroom lingo-it’s a task that any homeowner can tackle with finesse. The carpet styles we’re highlighting here can be installed wall to wall, or ordered in a specific size with bound edges to be used as an area rug (a great solution for oddly shaped rooms). Professionals are better suited to discussing your needs for specialty rugs, such as Orientals, so you’ll probably want to visit a special retailer for these kinds of purchases.
Two kinds of construction are most common when it comes to rugs: tufted and woven. Most carpets are tufted, consisting of rows of machine-punched yarns held together by adhesive and backing, and they last between five and seven years. Woven carpets, on the other hand, are known for their long lifespan: 20 to 30 years, thus making them more expensive than tufted options. The first thing to do when shopping for carpet is to ask for a sample to identify its style of pile, or the yarn that was used to make the carpet. If the yarn has been sheared, it’s known as “cut” pile, which is different from “loop” pile, a kind of yarn that’s been left in its original form
HOW TO EXPERTLY CLEAN AN AREA OR SHAG RUG
Samples can help you understand how high the pile of a carpet is, as deeper pile can feel softer to the touch, but a short pile is easier to care for. You’ll glean even more information from the carpet’s label, which lists the fiber content and where it was made, as well as other details as required by law. Most of the styles and fibers listed in the following guidelines are used in both woven and tufted carpets, and understanding their differences can help you shop for the best option for your home.
In addition to the pile, you’ll also want to ask about a carpet’s padding, which can help offset ground-in dirt and even absorb sound. You’ll need to lay down the proper padding before installing an area rug, but most floor-to-floor carpets should be installed by professionals, as they’re able to disguise seams as best as possible while properly fitting carpet to padding as well. When working with professionals, you’ll notice that carpet is often sold by the square yard, not the square foot-you’ll have to divide the price by nine for a per-square-foot quote. If you’d like to see what the carpet looks in your home, try asking for a “roll-cut” sample, which is a piece of carpet cut from the lot you would actually purchase, as the coloring on the sample may be different from the final product. You’ll also have to clean the carpet properly to keep the original coloring intact-check the manufacturer’s instructions, and start with a weekly once-over using a vacuum with a rotating head. For delicate carpets, such as hand-woven or hand-tufted, use a vacuum without a rotating head. A professional can steam-clean synthetic and wool carpet if needed.
Common Cuts of Pile to Know
The carpet’s pile can determine how it looks in your home, and more importantly, how it feels underfoot. Pile can be short and sturdy, or it can be shaggy and soft-the following pile varieties are the most commonly used by carpet manufacturers. We’re sharing details about how each variety feels, plus how well the product holds up under normal wear and tear over the years.
Tips for Carpet Replacement
No matter how kind your occupants are to the carpet, eventually you’ll face the arduous task of replacing it at minimal expense, time investment, disruption and health effects.
Get Out the Elbow Grease
Take a proactive stance toward potential health concerns and thoroughly vacuum the flooring you plan to replace. This will root out dirt, dust and biological debris that would otherwise go flying once the flooring installer starts to tear up the carpet.
“When you’re removing carpet, nobody’s thinking of cleaning it,” says Jeff Bishop, administrator of Clean Care Seminars, Inc. “Maintenance stops and you get a buildup of pollutants that tend to be aerosolized in the removal process.”
One recent investigation in Tampa, FL, involved students who frequently developed respiratory problems by mid-week, recovered over the weekend, and became sick again the following week.
Make a Game Plan
Once the old carpet is clean, coordinate with your contractor, flooring installer, and other key players. Plan around occupants’ schedules to minimize the number of people you’ll displace, and choose the quickest, most painless way to remove partitions and other items.
Is carpet a bad idea for flooring in our house?
REASONS TO SELECT CARPET FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT
Spring is always a good time to spruce up your home or to revamp the house interior. Most people simply resort to the dreaded annual decluttering and deep spring cleaning, but there are those who are already “window shopping” online for new paint colors or a colorful plush carpet to change the look of their bedrooms, living room or family room. They are eagerly coming up with ideas on how best to remodel their home. So, we can all agree that a dream renovation project renders the perfect opportunity for folks to choose and buy new carpeting.
The Instant Home Changer
Carpets are a great way to completely transform your interior. With the vast choice of patterns, yarns, colors and fibers, you can refurbish your floorings relatively cheap and achieve a dream new look for your living spaces. So, whether you are replacing old carpeting or you are carpeting a brand new remodeled room or home; installing a soft floor covering will instantly alter the overall appearance of your home interior.
Promote a Cozy Feeling at Home
There is nothing like walking barefoot on a plush carpet and enjoying the snug feeling without the need to look for your misplaced slippers. Carpets are the ultimate booster of comfort and coziness. They are warm in the cold months and can give your dwelling an unmatchable luxurious feel. You wouldn’t sit by the fire on a bare parquet floor, would you?
Environmentally-Friendly
This is a little farfetched–but they do have proven insulation properties. Carpets keep your heating bills low and save you money in the process. By not wasting energy, like so many poorly insulated homes, you undoubtedly contribute to the environmental cause. A carpeted house keeps the heat in better and requires less energy to stay warm for longer. Modern carpet technology has evolved and improved over time to produce hardy and long lasting floor coverings. While all carpets are not easy to recycle, it is only good and rather eco-friendly that carpet lovers can enjoy them for longer.
Vulnerability Proofing Medium
Anyone can slip on a shiny hardwood floor, but children and older people are more prone to lose their footing. Carpets not only provide good traction, but will also soften the blow if a toddler trips over and falls.
Secrets to Keep Your Carpet Looking New
Carpets get dirty—it’s a fact of life. But if you just let the problems pile up, those snags, spills, and everyday accidents can make your carpets look old and dingy. Follow these proper maintenance tips and damage-control strategies to keep your carpeted flo
Vacuum Regularly
It’s obvious that vacuuming keeps your carpets clean, but this common chore is also the key to ensuring they stay looking like new. Dirt has abrasive qualities, and when it’s repeatedly ground into the carpet by everyday foot traffic, it can actually erode the backing over time. Vacuuming once a week (twice a week in busy areas) can remove up to 75 percent of the dirt and debris and prevent your carpet from aging before its time.
Soak Up Spills
Spills are inevitable, but how you clean them makes all the difference. The most important carpet commandments to keep in mind are to work quickly and never rub. Dab cleaning solution onto the trouble spot immediately—the longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove the stain. Then, blot with paper towels or a clean cloth, as this gently puts a small amount of pressure on the liquid, helping to soak it up instead of letting it set in. Remember to blot from the outside in to prevent the spill from spreading.
Choose the Right Vacuum
It’s imperative that you choose the right vacuum for your household needs. Do you have kids or pets? Carpeted stairs? Because no model excels at all types of cleaning, it might be wise to invest in more than one vacuum so you can handle all your cleaning challenges. A cordless handheld vacuum can be convenient for stairs, for example, while an upright is great for large carpeted rooms.
Trim Snags
Carpets, particularly Berbers, are bound to snag eventually—especially if you have kids or pets. Rule number one: Never pull a snag. This will inevitably make the problem worse, as it’s likely that you’ll tear the carpet away from the backing. Instead, grab a pair of scissors and trim the snag at the base to prevent further damage.
Got a question about carpet or flooring?
Where do I start?
If you’re looking to update a room in your home but unsure where to start, begin by visiting our online product selector. This simple tool will run you through a series of questions to better understand what you are looking for such as the room you are wanting to update, the style you are hoping to achieve and of course, your budget. Once completed, we will send you a selection of our beautiful products, perfectly suited to your needs.
What can I do on the website?
Whether you’re updating an existing space or selecting product for your brand-new home – Carpet Court have a fantastic selection of online tools to assist you along the way
How do I request a quote?
To receive a quote on Carpet Courts’ range of flooring or window furnishings, simply book a free home measure and quote online and a friendly member of your local Carpet Court store will be in touch to organise a time and date that suits you. It’s also great to know that your free home measure and quote is obligation free.
How does the online pricing work?
Online pricing provided on all flooring is indicative and should only be used as a guide. Furthermore, the pricing provided for each room size is based on a pre-set size and does not include underlay or installation. To receive an accurate quote for your installation, request a quote online and a member of your local Carpet Court store will be in touch.
Do I need to come into a store when selecting my products?
No, there is no need to come into store when selecting products, this can be done online. However, it may be a good idea to visit your local store before making any purchases, so you can view and touch the product. Of course, there is no obligation to purchase when you do come in store, so do not hesitate to visit us any day to browse our fantastic range of products on offer.