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| 10 Carpet Buying Tips |
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| December 07, 2010 - Flooring |
| What You Need to Know Before You Buy |
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With all the new types of carpet on the market when it comes to buying carpet it can be a bit of an overwhelming task. Be sure to check out the performance characteristics to make sure the type you are looking at will stand up to your expectations. The wrong choice will not last as long and you will disappointed. Follow these 10 tips to buying carpet that works for you.
1. Twist
Look at the twist in the individual yarn pieces. Several twists may give you good carpet. The number of twists will affect the performance and the density of the pile. Do not confuse density with the height of the pile. Pile height has nothing to do with performance.
Generally the more twists in the individual yarns the more spring in the carpet. Remember the more spring the more footprints that will be hidden. However if you are looking for vibrant carpets you will have to trade off the spring because the more vibrant carpets do not have that crimped texture.
2. Stain Protection
You should look for stain protection , soil protection and static guard. Most home owner only clean their carpet once a year so you will want a carpet to perform well over a three year period. Carpets should be cleaned at least twice a year but if you have a heavy traffic areas you may have to clean them as often as 3 or 4 times a year.
The carpet industry has introduced some amazing carpets with stain protection, soil and static protection these new products are better than ever before.
3. Reputable Dealer
Always buy your carpet from a reputable dealer. Look for a quality and customer service oriented dealer with a special carpet section. Make sure the dealer stands behind the products he sells.
4. Look then Look Some More
Look at all the different types of carpets that are available to you. Also look at the various under pads available for the carpet. Don't skimp on the under pad. Just because it's not visible doesn't mean it's not important. A cheap thin under pad will not do your new carpet any good and will shorten the life of your carpet. An under pad that is too thin will only fall apart under your carpet and damage the carpet over it.
5. Professional Install
You should have your new carpet installed by a professional installer. The dealer will either have their own installation crew or they will be able to direct you to someone they recommend.
6. Prepare The Floor
Remember the floor you place the carpet pad and carpet on will have to be prepared to protect your investment. The better grades of carpet usually need a better grade of underlay or carpet pad.
7. Choosing The Right Carpet
The color and texture will affect the look of the room and lighting conditions will affect the look of the carpet. If the carpeting is smooth or even surfaced it will have a velvety look or plush look like you would want in a formal dining room. Use an oriental or a tapestry weave style to give a formal look to any room.
To help a room look lighter or brighter a more lustrous carpet fiber should be chosen. Remember a smooth luxurious carpets will show footprints and vacuum marks. If you like this look than ask for a luster fiber but if you do not like the look be sure to tell the sales rep that you do not want lustrous carpet pile.
You can get carpeting in a uneven surface where the looped pile is a bit uneven so it looks to be tailored. By combining different piles at different heights you will get a sculptured look. This look can also be duplicated by the color or the carpet being varied colors. You will find that some carpets get this look by carving on the surface of the carpet pile.
On the sculpted carpet the incoming light strikes the uneven surfaces of the pile at different angles. This type of carpet shows no footprints. The low densely packed carpet is the best for wear. Because the carpet loops are not cut in a low densely packed carpet it will wear longer than a cut pile carpet will. The taller the pile the more sound absorbing capabilities the carpet will be. Remember that high pile carpet is not good for high traffic areas. These fibers will be trampled and will be harder to clean.
8. High Traffic Areas
The basic pile or low loop is a good performer in a high traffic area. You will often see this type of carpet in offices. It wears like iron and cleans up easier than a pile carpet. The chunky look of Berber will have a level loops and have a chunky look. The wear factor is good but not as good as level loop carpeting but it will hide the dirt better.
9. You Get What You Pay For
Remember as like all things in life you will get what you pay for. A low quality carpet is a low quality carpet. Be aware and select the carpet you need and like. Just because it looks like a good deal at the time, you might not think that when you have to change the carpet in 3 years instead of 10 or 20 years. So shop carefully!
10. Guarantee or Warranty
Find out what the guarantee is on the carpet and what the guarantee covers. Does it just replace the carpet or does it also cover installation. What will void the warranty and what is not covered. Know before you buy.
These 10 tips will have you choosing the right carpet for the room in no time. Your room will have a brand new face lift and look awesome!
John Murray makes it easy to go through the carpet buying process and provides tips to keep your carpet lasting long. To learn more and receive your free mini-course visit the carpet rugs website at www/carpets-guide.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Murray |
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| Top Tile Trends for Rennovations |
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| June 02, 2010 - Flooring |
(ARA) - Slow recovery or not, you're ready to renovate -- you just can't live with your ugly, old energy-inefficient kitchen anymore. And stepping into your bathroom makes you feel like you walked through a time warp.
More Americans will continue to choose remodeling the homes they're already in over moving into new construction in 2010, real estate experts predict. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders foresees "decent growth" for the renovation industry in the coming year, according to the association's National Outlook report. And kitchens and baths continue to top the list of the rooms both current homeowners and potential buyers most want to update.
When renovating your home for the long run, it makes sense to choose materials that offer outstanding design flexibility, affordability, durability and eco-friendliness. Ceramic tile continues to be a favorite choice of savvy designers, builders and homeowners seeking those qualities for home renovations.
So what are the hot trends in ceramic tile for 2010? The Ceramic Tile Manufacturers Association of Spain, which represents Tile of Spain branded manufacturers, offers insight into what's new and hot in this timeless building material:
Green is still great
Homeowners continue to demand more eco-friendly, sustainable building practices and materials for both renovations and new construction. Ceramic tile meets the demand for green renovation materials, with eco-friendly qualities such as:
* Manufacturers have improved production methods to be more environmentally responsible.
* Ceramic tile aids in heat retention.
* It's naturally resistant to bacteria.
* Tile does not require cleaning with harsh chemicals or solvents, so fewer toxic elements are flushed into the ecosystem.
* It doesn't release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other gases into your home's atmosphere.
Slim is in
Tile is getting thinner. You can now buy ceramic tile in thicknesses of just 3, 4, 5 and 6 millimeters. Slimmer tile means it's easier to handle, cut and lay, so installation is faster. And you can apply it directly over old tile, eliminating the hassle of removing old tile and reducing the construction waste sent to landfills. Plus, because the tile is lighter and slimmer, it works well for walls and other vertical applications.
Additionally, a slim tile means green building benefits such as maximum energy savings, and a decrease in the amount of raw materials used and carbon dioxide emitted during manufacturing. Lighter weight also means less environmental impact during shipping, and less adhesive mortar is required to lay the tile.
The best form of flattery
Advances in digital printing technology allow ceramic tile to imitate almost any finish. You can now find ceramic tile that mimics the look of some of the most popular types of stone and wood flooring, including marble, slate, granite, classic parquet, exotic woods - even distressed, reclaimed and weathered planks. When it comes to renovating a kitchen or bath, ceramic tile is a great way to get the look of stone or wood without the expense and inconveniences of special maintenance.
Imagine the look of wood in high-traffic, high-humidity areas without the risk of warping, scratching or staining. Wood and water don't mix well, so until the advent of wood-look ceramic tile, renovating homeowners had to forego the warmth and beauty of wood in areas where the material might be exposed to water, including kitchens, baths and pool surrounds.
Bright on color, big on texture
Glossy tiles, with surfaces that feature both gloss and matte patterns, are enjoying new interest from designers and homeowners. Metallic patinas are also prized. As more Americans strive to shed recession blues, bright colors are on the rise. Pantone just announced that turquoise is the color of the year. Whether it's the color of the day or the year, you can find it in tile. If you want a more soothing sensation from your tile, you can create calming effects with polychrome color combinations of cream, gray, white and camel. For more ideas on renovating with ceramic tile, visit www.spaintiles.info.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
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