Warm Up Your Home With New Carpeting

Its COLD outside, winter has hit...There no denying it, we have to face the cold temperatures and the friggin wind on our faces when we are outside.  But in your home should be a different story.  You should be surrounded by warmth, heat in your face and coziness beneath your feet.  

Did you know that carpet fibers actually hold heat?  Carpet can help insulate up to 17 times better than other surfaces, reducing energy bills.  So besides the fact that its quiet to walk on, comfortable to lay on, durable, non slip and overall a great value why wouldn't you think of doing the carpet project right now. Carpet come in so many styles, colors and price ranges, if you aren't ready to commit to wall to wall go for an area rug.  Adding a a punch of color, design and style to any room while defining spaces.

Carpet Glossary
so many options, we decode some of them for you

Density-the closeness of the yarns in the carpet. denser translates into better quality

Fiber-the basic material in carpet. fiber is manmade (nylon, polyester, polypropylene/Olefin, acrylics) or natural (wool, sisal).  There are five types.
     1. Nylon, the most common fiber, nylon is durable and resilient.  When treated, it offers good stain resistance and camouflages dirt.  It is prone to static however.
     2. Polyester, This hypoallergenic fiber can resist fading, withstands stains, and offers a variety of textures and colors.  Some fibers are recycled from plastic bottles.  However, it is susceptible to crushing.
     3. Polypropylene/Olefin, This carpet stands up to the sunlight, bleach, and stains.  But it is less resilient in that it can be crushed and color can sometimes be limited.
    4. Wool, Along with lending a luxurious look and feel, wool purifies indoor air, inhibits dust mites and bacteria growth and possesses inherent hypoallergenic properties.  It is the most expensive type of carpet.
     5. Acrylics, Known as a man-made wool, acrylic fibers offer the look and feel of wool at a lower cost.  It resist static, moisture, mildew, crushing and stains.  However, it is not durable enough to withstand  heavy traffic.

Pad- Also called "cushion" or "underlay",  carpet pad is the thinner foam, fiber, rubber layer beneath the carpet.  It prolongs the life of the carpet as well as protects your floor, serves as an insulator and adds comfort to the carpet.

Pile- The visible surface of a carpet, pile consist of fiber tufts in loops that are either cut or uncut.  Also called "nap".  there are four general types:
     1. Cut and Loop Pile, This style combines lower loops and higher cut piles on one surface, producing pattern, textures and sculpting of the carpet.
     2. Level Loop Pile, Short, even, closely packed loops create a durable and east to clean surface.  Berber (commonly known), is one type of level loop pile, typically contains flecks of a dark colors on a whiter background.
     3. Multilevel Loop Pile, Two or three different levels of a loop pile produce a pattern both geometric and abstract.
     4. Cut Pile, Featuring loops that are cut at the same level, this common construction encompasses five styles:
               -Saxony, features tightly twisted cut piles standing straight up
               -Plus, has closely packed tuft all the same height (longer than saxony) for a smooth, luxurious surface.  
               -Textured, carpet mixes with twist and straight piles for a nubby look.
               -Frieze, is highly twisted with fibers curling in different directions for a highly textures look.
               -Shag, a deep pile carpet with long strands that are slightly twisted and set further apart for a shaggy                     appearance.

Considerations
Before choosing a carpet, consider these factors.

Cleaning-carpet needs regulating vacuuming and cleaning, so be sure to consider this when picking your carpet
Best For- Some carpets are better suited for bedrooms, dinning rooms, living rooms, playrooms, ect!
Pet Friendly-choose a style that is durable for the wear and tear your household will have, with pets, children                           and play everyday use.
Underlayment- Proper underlayment is vital.  To extend the life of your carpets you must invest in the correct padding.  Check with your local professional or the manufacturer to determine the proper pad for your carpet.

When deciding on what carpet is best for you talk to your local professional.  They are there to help answer all your quiets, help with the choosing the right carpet for your home.  Do not be afraid to ask too many questions.