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Direct Carpet is Here to Help You Get the Best Carpet & Installation Experience
Carpet can do much more than cover your floors. It can be the foundation of a decorating plan, provide warmth and comfort, add beauty and style, soften slips and falls, as well as reduce noise. Above all, the carpet you choose should reflect your personality, bringing style, comfort, and quality to your home.
When planning your “look”, it’s important to have a basic knowledge of how color, texture, and pattern can work, as well as how different materials and styles benefit the wear and tear of your carpet. Let us help you begin your shopping journey with these frequently asked Carpet questions that we know are important to you.
How Important is Carpet Underpad?
When you shop for carpeting, the last thing on your mind might be the pad that goes underneath it. The truth is, under pad is just as important as the carpeting - if not more - when you want to extend the life of your carpet. Aside from giving you wear protection and a cushion under your feet, it also adds to the sound and insulating qualities of the floor. Keep in mind that density is more important than thickness, as the denser the cushion, the better wear protection you will get; 6-8lb is standard for residential carpets. There are many added features to underpad, such as vapor barriers and spill guards, so be sure to go over your options to ensure you are getting the best underpad for your Carpet installation needs.
Choosing Carpet Styles and Carpet Textures
The texture is all about how something feels when you touch it - or in the case of carpet, stand on it. Depending on the area you are carpeting, you may have different ideas and preferences on what you'd like to see and feel under your feet. Carpet texture can make a large contribution to your home's decor, so always a good idea to take the surroundings and decor of your room into account.
Below is a quick breakdown of different carpet styles and trends, and what you can expect.
Combination/Pattern
Level Loop
Plush
Textured Pile
Carpet contains both cut and uncut loops which create a unique patterned look. This can also vary in height creating depth and textured patterns.
Deep cut carpet pile with a smooth, level surface. This style of carpet has a silky smooth finish. Footprints and vacuum marks are more visible.
Carpet Loops are the same height, creating an even-textured appearance. A clean, non-pattern look great for large areas, popular in basements.
Known for its casual, soft appeal. Twisted cut carpet fibers diffuse light, masking foot, and vacuum marks. Great for every day, high traffic areas, hiding the seams well.
Saxony
Dense, twisted carpet fibers that stand straight, providing a soft plush look and feel underfoot. Ideal for high-traffic areas, superior wear, and classic charm.
Colour - Creating Your Perfect Space
Whether painting your walls, choosing new curtains, or renovating an entire home, colour will create the mood of your room. Light colours will open up small spaces, whereas dark colours can create a warm and cozy atmosphere. The quickest facelift for any room is color. However used, different colours will create the ambiance of your room, so it is important to choose a carpet colour or shade that will work best for you - and the area in your home.
Below are a few quick tips to keep in mind when choosing your colours. Our design team can also help you create your vision.
Creating Mood
Create the perfect mood for your area with colour. Different shades and hues can compliment wall colour, creating either a cozy warm atsmosphere, or a bright and spacious feel. Using an accent colour from part of your decor as carpet choice can tie a room together, creating a flowing look and feel.
Traffic
Traffic can take a toll on carpet colour over time, as light shades can show more dirt and stains. Be sure to consider the traffic your area will have, or whether it connects to an outside door. Flecks, two toned or darker shades are great for hiding stains in higt traffic areas
Room Size
Lighter Carpet will always give the illusion of a wide, open space in small rooms, whereas, darker colours on the floor, followed by ligther wall shades and white ceilings can enhance the feeling of height. Accent walls can also help tie a darker carpet into a bright room, adding depth and a cozy atmosphere.
Lighting
Be sure to test your colour choices in your home before installing. Store lighting (florescent) can pull sharp blue tones, whereas, incandescent lighting (soft) can pull warm tones and yellows. This is why "Shop At Home" can be a great fit helping you see true colour, look and feel.
FIBERS
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Carpet Fiber Options? Know the Difference to Match Your Needs
The fiber carpet is made out of plays a key roll in how it feels, wears, performs and absorbs colour. There are two types of fiber - natural, and man-made. Natural being wool; sometimes blended with silk, linen and cotton. Man-made, or synthetic include nylon, polyester, polypropylene (olefin) and acrylic. The most popular carpet fibers sold is Nylon, Polyester and Polyproylene, followed by Wool and SIlk as a higher end.
Below are simple breakdowns and characterists of the main carpet fibers available today.
Nylon Carpet
PROS: A long lasting fiber known for it's ability to resist wear and abrasion. Nylon is not affected by moisture. resisting mildew and mold well. Most nylon is solution-dyed available in bright, long-lasting colors.
CONS: Nylon can build static charge, however, many brands are treated with anti-static coatings
PRICE: Known as one of the higher-end fibers available, it's price tag can reflect this, but worth the money spent.
Polyester Carpet
PROS: A popular fiber improved considerably over the years. Presents a beautiful appearance when new, with luxurious, soft fibers. Available in some of the riches colours with excellent fade resistance, as well as easy to clean.
CONS: Poylester is susceptable to traffic wear and matting - especially with low ounce weight. Not recommeded for very long term wear.
PRICE: Economically priced, cheaper than Nylon.
Olefin Carpet
PROS: A popular fiber best used in low-traffic areas. Is stain resistant and can withstand abrasive cleaners. Is water resistant dicouraging mold and mildew growth - great for basements and damp areas. Holds colour well.
CONS: Can flatten easily and show oil marks from traffic so best to choose low pile or loops in darker colours. Great for rental properties, basments and flips
PRICE: Economically priced.
Wool Carpet
PROS: Wool is the most luxurious and costly fiber. It is durable with great memory and naturally resilient. Easily dyed and available in rich colours. Great resistance to fire. Common for area rugs as an accent piece.
CONS: Low resistance to abrasion, and can wear down in high traffic areas. Can create static charge. Shrinks if wet and should be professionaly cleaned.
PRICE: Most expensive carpet fiber.
Carpet Care and Cleaning - Making Your Carpet Last
The quality and life of your carpet greatly depends on the care you provide. Yearly steam cleaning will help keep your carpet looking a feeling great, as well as help improve your indoor air quality, especially if you have pets.
No carpet is stain proof, however, most come with a stain resistant or Scotchguard, which make them easier to clean. Remember, with spot and stain removal, speed is of the essence. The faster you can get to a stain, the better.
Download our Carpet Care 101 Guide HERE.
Green Label Plus: A Higher Standard For Indoor Air Quality
We know it's important to you to make sure your carpet meets the standars for indoor air quality. All of our carpets and cushions - unless specified - are Green Label Plus Approved, ensuring that our customers are purchasing the very lowest emmiting products on the market. Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important environmental consideration, especially since we spend approximately 90 percent of our time indoors. For more information, download the Green Label Plus fact sheet HERE