So much has changed over the past 5–10 years in the flooring industry, especially with the rise of waterproof vinyl flooring. But carpet still remains the top-selling floor covering product in the industry, and for good reason.
Carpet, and its installation, are generally the least expensive floor covering available. It is soft and cozy and fits well with any design trend or type of home. And the right carpet can be very durable and long-lasting. Many of the new patterned carpets are a great design addition to a home in an office, small living space, or on stairs. And even if you prefer a hard surface like wood or tile in the main parts of your home, carpet can make your bedroom feel cozier, more welcoming, and much softer and warmer on cold winter days!
Carpet tends to be a better insulator than other flooring and can lower the cost of heating your home. It’s a great sound absorber so it can be better at reducing noise from above as well as the echoing sound that you might find in a home with all hard surfaces. If you have ever stood on a tile or wood floor for long periods of time, you may have gotten a sore back or sore feet. Carpet will definitely alleviate the effects of hard surfaces on your body.
Carpet Fibers
At Graham’s Flooring and Design, we carry carpet made from 3 different fibers: polyester, nylon, and wool.
Polyester
Polyester fiber has been the workhorse of carpet fiber and is now the fastest-growing fiber used in carpet manufacturing. It tends to be a less expensive fiber than nylon and holds color better. It is also known to be very stain resistant, particularly if it is “solution-dyed,” where the color goes all the way through the fiber (think carrot versus radish).
Polyester carpet is also known to be softer than nylon carpet. It is more environmentally friendly to manufacture than nylon. Its downfall tends to be in its durability, and it has typically fallen prey to crushing and matting more quickly than nylon. Carpet manufacturers, in recent years, have made a lot of improvements to polyester fibers. Its durability, in the higher-end polys, comes much closer to nylon than ever before, particularly those polyester fibers that have higher density and twist count.
Nylon
Nylon fiber has traditionally been known as the most durable of carpet fibers, largely because of the way it is constructed. It tends to hold up better to crushing and matting in higher traffic areas and is very responsive to hot water so it will bounce back to its original state when professionally cleaned with hot water extraction.
Nylon is also generally very stain and soil-resistant, all the more so when the fiber is “solution-dyed”. Manufacturers have come a long way in making nylon softer and offering more color choices. Its downfall is that it tends to be a more expensive fiber than polyester, particularly in higher-ounce weights and softer carpets, but it is an excellent choice for carpet in most settings.
Wool
Wool fiber is the only natural carpet fiber and offers some unique attributes. Wool will absorb moisture from the air allowing it to keep a room warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. It is a natural sound deadener and air purifier and is a great option for those with allergies. It is also extremely fire and melt resistant. Wool has a distinctive look and feel and typically comes in more looped and patterned styles. It is a bit more difficult to clean and will shed for at least the first month. And it is definitely more costly than the other fibers.
Carpet Trends
While there appeared to be a decline in carpet sales over the past few years, it seems to be making a comeback. Most carpet is made in the United States and has not been subject to tariffs like waterproof flooring has been.
Carpet manufacturers have created some bold new looks and styles imitating hard surfaces like concrete and tile. Cut and loop carpet, which makes bold and unique patterns, is terrific on stairs and in small rooms. It also makes excellent area rugs for rooms that do have hard surfaces.
Depending on the feel you are going for, carpet can make a room casual and cozy or sophisticated and elegant. Friezy or plush carpets tend to have a more casual feel, especially the multi-tone colors. Patterned carpets and solid colors will tend to look more formal.
Cost
Carpet is by far the least expensive type of flooring. Even when you splurge on a higher-end choice, the cost of installation is dramatically less expensive than any other type of installation. On average, about 1000–1200 feet of carpet can be installed in one day, depending on the amount of furniture moving required.
Preparation
Preparation for carpet installation typically includes clearing items off of furniture such as pictures and knick-knacks, clearing clothing and shoes from the floors of closets, disconnecting and moving electronics, and clearing bedding from beds. Pianos and fish tanks are not usually items that installers will move.
Maintenance
The best way to prolong the life of your carpet is to keep it clean. Vacuum often and have it professionally cleaned every 12–18 months with a van-mounted, hot water extraction method. Click here for more on how to maintain your carpeting.
Ready to Start?
Are you ready to start picking out carpet for your home or office? Graham’s Flooring & Design are the resident carpet experts in Fort Collins and Loveland and we’d love to help you! Carpet is one of our favorite floorings for bedrooms, basements, staircases, home gyms, and more.
Contact us today to get your Free Flooring Design Consultation and let us help you find your style!
Loveland and Fort Collins carpet is our business and we take great pride in our reputation, competence, experience, and honesty, and we are always ready to make a new client’s flooring dreams come true!
We love to share our expertise. Please check out our blog to find out more about flooring and design!
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