There are many types of fiber used in carpet, but the most common are nylon, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic, and wool.
Some of the most common types of carpet you’re likely to come across are:
• Cut loop carpet
• Polyester carpet
• loop pile carpet
• Shag carpet
• Plush pile
However, these are by no means the only types of carpet.
The two main types of carpet are “Loop Carpet”, and “Cut Pile”. There are several subcategories of these two types:
o Loop Carpets
o Berber
o Level Loop
o Multi-Level Loop
Carpet can be tricky to shop for because it is very difficult for the average shopper to tell the quality just by looking at it. There are many “hidden” properties that contribute to the overall quality of the carpet. All of the characteristics of the carpet must be understood and taken into consideration to truly determine the quality.
Below is a list of factors that contribute to a carpet’s overall quality. No single factor should be viewed in isolation. Rather, it is the proper mix of all of the factors that will provide the best performance, durability, and longevity.
o Face Weight – Carpet face weight is the weight of the carpet pile per square yard of carpet, measured in ounces. Unfortunately, face weight has been so heavily marketed that many consumers are given the impression that it is the best way to determine a carpet’s durability. It can be easy to believe that a higher face weight represents a more durable carpet, but this is not always the case because several things influence a carpet’s weight.
o Carpet Density – Carpet density refers to how close together the fibers are tufted (stitched) into the carpet backing. It is calculated using a specific formula. When comparing carpets that have different densities but are equivalent in all other ways (same fiber type, style, etc.) then a higher density value indicates a more durable carpet.
o Fiber Twist -The twist of the fiber is often one of the most overlooked aspects of a carpet, and yet it is one of the best indicators of carpet quality. The fiber twist refers to the number of times that the strands of fiber are twisted together, as measured to within a one-inch length of the fiber. The result is known as a carpet’s twist number; it is sometimes referred to as turns-per-inch (TPI). This is easy to calculate yourself. Measure a one-inch length of the carpet fiber and count how many turns you see in it. If the fiber is shorter than one inch, measure a half-inch and then double the number of twists you count, to get the twist number.
o Type of Fiber – The type of fiber the carpet is made of is a huge factor in the carpet’s quality. Different fibers have different characteristics, and some fiber types work better in certain situations than others. Common synthetic carpet fibers include nylon, polyester, olefin (polypropylene) and triexta. Natural carpet fibers such as wool and sisal are used less often, but still, play a role in the carpet industry.
o Manufacturer Warranty – All carpets come with manufacturers’ warranties. But when the warranty uses terms such as “texture retention,” “abrasive wear” and “exclusions,” it can be difficult to understand exactly what the manufacturer is offering.
o Style Of Carpet – The style of the carpet can influence its performance. The most common residential carpet styles include Saxony, Berber, frieze, and cut-and-loop. Of course, each style of carpet is available in a range of qualities, but some styles are better suited for high traffic areas than others.
As mentioned, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration when shopping for carpet. It is no wonder that many shoppers find the process confusing and overwhelming. But breaking down the process into specific points to consider will help you to have a better understanding of what to look for in your carpet. As always, I recommend talking with your carpet sales professional about your needs and household conditions and listening to their suggestions. Most will know which carpets perform well, and which ones are budget friendly. And, if you are an informed shopper, you will be able to recognize the truth in what the salesperson says and will not be led astray.
We offer cleaning on almost all types of rugs. If you have an uncommon type of rug, let us know we will tell you if we service it. If we don’t, we will try to refer you to someone that does.
This is an option that is completely up to you. We are able to work around furniture, which most people leave their heavy furniture in place (china hutches, TV stands, entertainment center, beds, Dressers, etc.). We do offer to move your furniture for you at an additional cost. *
*There are pieces of furniture that we will not move.
Shopping for new carpet is exciting. There are a wealth of colors and styles to choose from, and close to a half-dozen fibers to consider. Once you make the big decision, the work isn’t over, as you still need to think about what goes beneath the carpet in your home.
When you’re having carpet installed, you may never see the carpet padding, but it should be an important part of your buying decision. If you’re unsure of the density or type of carpet padding you need, our guide will clear things up as we’re going to break down all the basics.
The Importance of Carpet Padding
Carpet in a home may look good and feel great under your feet, but it would be a different story if the pad were removed. Carpet padding serves as the foundation for your carpet whether it’s cheap or top of the line. It adds cushioning underfoot but also provides stability along with insulation and noise reduction.
The best carpet padding will protect the backing on the bottom of your carpet and keep it from breaking down, thus prolonging the life of your carpet. If you choose the wrong type of padding, it can actually cause problems, however. That’s why it’s essential to understand the types of padding, available, and what to keep an eye out for when a slippery salesperson comes your way.
Carpet Padding Types
As manufacturers strive to push innovation and come up with greener products, new hybrids are introduced every year. You may even find some interesting choices in local carpet shops, but the most common carpet padding types are also the most popular for a good reason.
Rebond Carpet Padding
This is the top option for most homeowners, and if you’ve owned carpet in the past, it was probably beneath it. Rebond carpet padding is among the cheapest forms available and is made from recycled foam, which gives it a multicolored appearance. If you choose the right density, rebond carpet padding is often the best way to go unless your style of carpet calls for another option. Homes that have heavy foot traffic in carpeted areas may want to consider our next option.
Frothed Foam
Bonded foam may be popular and will suffice for most homeowners, but if you want a carpet pad that’s built to last, there are far better options available. From the foam family, the best choice would be frothed foam. This type of padding is incredibly durable, with far more density than other types of foam. Frothed urethane foam carpet padding is so resilient it will likely outlast the carpet itself. It’s commonly used in conjunction with broadloom carpet but is more expensive than other types of carpet padding. It’s not suitable for everyone, but it is one of the best types of carpet padding.
Memory Foam
Frothed foam provides durability and is dense underfoot, while rebounded foam is an affordable all-around choice. Memory foam is similar to frothed foam but has been infused with gel, which gives it the feel it is famous for. Memory foam beds are something many of us have had experience with, and you can have that same sinking feeling beneath your feet with this type of carpet padding. It’s not a good choice for any area in your home that sees a lot of foot traffic but is perfect for bedrooms.
Prime Foam
The last type of commonly used foam in the carpet industry is called prime foam, although its name can be misleading. It’s in the middle of the pack in terms of performance and price but is firmer than rebond and several other types of foam padding. This is the same type of foam you’ll find in things like couch cushions and upholstery. That means they can be reasonably firm, but not suitable for heavy foot traffic. While you will find a lot of options in the density department – just don’t use it in a hallway.
Waffle Pad
One of the oldest styles of carpet padding, the classic waffle pad, is still available today. It has a lot in common with rebond from a comfort and price standpoint but lives up to its namesake as it looks like a giant rubber waffle on the floor. While waffle carpet padding is soft, it’s not built to last like other forms of padding beneath your carpet. If the attractive price tag entices you, be sure to look for rubber waffle carpet padding that is dense and made from high-quality material.
Fiber Pad
Synthetic materials are commonly used in carpet padding, but there are a few pads in the fiber pads that are an exception. While there are synthetic fiber carpet pads as well, you can pick up padding made from materials like Jute. Jute may be ideal for some areas in your home, but you don’t want a natural material used as padding in below-grade rooms. Fiber carpet padding is often recommended for Berber carpeting but is a flat, dense type of pad. It’s not nearly as soft as foam but is relatively inexpensive in both natural and synthetic forms.
Rubber Pad
Rubber’s always been an excellent choice for consumers with allergies, and it’s a material known for its resilience. Well, it’s also an option in the carpet world as you can purchase flat rubber padding, which dense, heavy, and extremely durable.
A high-end rubber carpet pad will last just as long as a good frothed foam pad, which means it will outlive your new carpet. It’s expensive, however, so it’s not something you’ll want to use with budget-friendly carpet.
Now that you understand the types of materials available for carpet padding, it’s time to discuss how to find the best fit for your needs. As you’d expect, there are hundreds of companies producing carpet padding, including big names like Shaw and StainMaster. Quality control is critical as a bad pad can break down your carpet quickly, but that’s far from the only factor to consider when looking for the best carpet pad.
Carpet Pad Density
Density is a term you’re going to encounter often with carpet padding. You’ll hear it when you walk into a carpet store, and if you have an honest salesperson, they will be able to explain things quite nicely. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case, so it pays to understand density when dealing with any type of carpet padding.
Carpet padding density can measure between 2 to 10 pounds, which leaves a lot of room for error if you don’t know what to look for. Each style has its own range as well, so foam is going to register differently than rubber or a felt pad. It’s measured by calculated the pounds per cubic foot, although this isn’t a situation where math is required.
In most cases, homeowners are perfectly happy with carpet padding between 6 and 8 pounds. That’s the ideal range for the residential class, but again, it’s always best to use whatever density your carpet manufacturer recommends.
Carpet Pad Thickness
Carpet pad thickness is another area where consumers can find themselves in a sticky situation if you go in uninformed. Thicker flooring is a good thing in the flooring world, as it generally means more durability and that your flooring will last longer.
That’s not the case with carpet padding, however, as a thicker pad may actually do more harm than good. If you choose low pile carpeting in your home like a looped Berber, it’s recommended to go with carpet padding that’s no thicker than 3/8” but want to stay under a 1/2” in general regardless of the style.
The Carpet Cushion Council set the minimum recommendations for residential use, which is handy information to have on hand before heading into the carpet store when you know what type of padding you want.
Many carpet manufacturers require you to follow a certain cleaning regimen in order to keep your warranty in full effect. It is not uncommon to have the warranty state you must have your carpet professionally Hot Water Extracted (“steam cleaned”) every 12 -18 months.
We all love our pets. But in addition to tracking outdoor grime into your home, pets can also add dander as well as potentially urine, feces, and vomit. Fortunately, frequent cleaning cans help keep you ahead of the game and keep your home clean. The recommended timeframe to have your carpets Professionally steam cleaned when you have pets that come in and outdoors frequently is every 6 – 12 months.
An active home with children will require more frequent cleaning. But you don’t want your children exposed to harsh chemicals.
We at Sellin Clean Carpets use eco-friendly cleaning solutions that will remove the soil while keeping your pets and children safe from toxins and irritants.
Shoes not only track in dirt, they also bring in small particles of grit. This can cause the carpet fibers to wear prematurely. And the more people in your household, the more shoe traffic your carpet is having to endure. Unless this dirt and grit is periodically removed, it will eventually lead to permanent wear patterns on your carpet.
We go off The Carpet and Rug Institute’s guidelines to ensure the customer gets the best cleaning possible.
Whether you clean your carpets often, or not-so-often, we look forward to assisting with any cleaning requirements/request you may have.
The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends rugs be cleaned same frequency as carpet cleaning. Generally, rugs are placed in high traffic areas, which of course means that they are getting dirtier as quick or quicker than your carpets are.
For most upholstery, there isn’t much difference other than the tools we use to steam clean the upholstery. At times, there will be special pieces of furniture that are made of an uncommon type of material that requires special solutions to be used. We always check your furniture to ensure we are not using the wrong solutions. Most often those pieces of furniture are high end.
It in short is the same reasons that you would have your carpets cleaned. You also will have oils from your skin where you lay your arms, head, and other parts of your body not covered by your clothing. You could also encounter dust mites that love the cushions in the furniture. Your dead skin has to go somewhere, and over time will be ground into the cushions. The recommendation is that you have your furniture professionally steam cleaned every 12 – 18 months.
When it comes to furnishing a bedroom, the goal should be choosing decor that creates a comfortable, calm feel for the space. While it may seem like a minor detail, the right carpeting can go a long way in helping create that cozy vibe. With all the options on the market, though, it can be tough to choose a carpet for your bedroom. If you’re getting ready to shop for new carpeting, keep a few basic tips in mind, and you’ll wind up with a carpet that has the right look and feel for your bedroom.
Set a Budget
While the first thing that homeowners usually think about when shopping for bedroom carpeting is the color and texture, determining your budget is probably the most important step in the entire process. Carpeting prices depend on the square footage of the room, so be sure to measure your space before going to the store. If you have a large master bedroom, you may need to look for less costly options. If your bedroom is on the smaller side, however, you may be able to splurge on luxury carpeting since you’ll need less to cover the room. Either way, once you have a firm budget in mind, you’ll save time at the store because you’ll know which carpets you can afford and be able to identify the highest quality options more easily within your price range.
Decide on the Fiber
When it comes to carpeting materials, you can opt for natural or synthetic fibers. Wool is an ideal option for bedroom carpeting since it has a soft, luxurious feel. As a natural fiber, however, it tends to be the costliest type of carpeting. Synthetic carpets are usually more budget-friendly, so they may be a more realistic option if you have a large bedroom. Nylon is typically the costliest synthetic carpeting because it has the softest feel. Polyester carpeting is usually less expensive than nylon and is nonallergenic, making it an ideal choice if you suffer from allergies or asthma. Because it is an inexpensive material, however, polyester carpeting sometimes presents issues with shedding or pilling.
Pay Attention to Texture
In a bedroom, the carpeting should be as soft and comfortable underfoot as possible, so choosing the right texture or pile is key. But the right texture can also give your bedroom carpet a more attractive appearance, so it is a matter of aesthetics as well. For the most luxurious look and feel, choose a saxony pile carpet, which has a plush, fluffy texture. Velvet pile carpeting also has a soft, sumptuous feel, so it is ideal for a bedroom as well. While saxony pile carpeting has long, loose fibers, the fibers in a velvet pile carpet are short and dense, so they offer different looks for your bedroom flooring.
Get the Color Right
A neutral-colored carpet, such as tan, brown, or gray, is a safe option since it will work with virtually any wall or decor colors. But it’s usually best to avoid carpets that are extremely light like white or beige because they don’t hide dirt as easily as darker carpeting. If you have more colorful tastes, don’t be afraid to try a bold-colored carpet in your bedroom. With light-colored walls, carpeting in rich shade of blue, green, or red can add visual interest and dimension to the room. A subtle patterned rug that features two or more colors can also make a plain, neutral bedroom a little more interesting. But avoid extremely loud colors and busy patterns since they’ll likely be too stimulating for the bedroom.
Shedding, dander, drool, claws, accidents, wear and tear—there are a lot of things a pet can do to your pristine carpets. There are 85 million households in the U.S. that have at least one pet, making pets part of the decision when you change your flooring. You don’t have to give up beautiful, cozy carpets for Fido’s sake, though. Pets like to lie down and enjoy the softness of a carpet as much as anybody else and curling up on carpet is much more comfortable for them than hardwood or vinyl flooring.
The best carpets for pets offer stain resistance and durability, help absorb sound, and look good, too. The last thing you want to worry about when you’re playing with your pets is the damage they can do to your flooring. Wall-to-wall carpeting gives your furry friends a nonslip surface where they can play, lie down, and roll over; pets tend to slide around on tile and hardwood.
Nylon is the best carpet for pets and making the choice to install “pet padding” or “waterproof” padding, even though it could even be more expensive that your carpets, will have you thanking yourself next time the pet has an accident, or someone makes a spill. MAKE SURE to let the professional know that you have such padding before they start working to clean that urine spot!