Carpet
Carpet flooring offers benefits not found in other flooring materials. Softer, it adds cushioning to footsteps. Due to its construction, it has a comfort level not found elsewhere; carpet also provides insulation and noise softening between the floors and rooms of a structure. Because carpets require a cushion and adhesive in construction and installation, the Carpet and Rug Institute tests the materials for indoor air quality. The Green Label Plus is a test for Volatile Organic Compounds and their level of emissions in use.
Maintenance: Regular vacuuming, immediate stain removal, and periodic shampooing will retain most carpet fibers for years if not decades. When choosing carpeting, consider:
• Room foot traffic
• Amount of sunlight that will reach the carpet
• Style of the room and color
• Life of the carpet
• Size of room and amount of carpet required
• Padding and installation costs
• Budget
Terms to understand:
• Fiber is the material used to create the carpet. Several different fibers may be twisted together and then woven into the backing.
• Pile is the height of the fiber when cut or woven.
• Twist is the number of times the fibers are turned in a 1-inch height of pile.
• Textures are the style of weaving, whether loop, cut, or twisted.
• Density is the closeness of the fibers to each other in the woven pattern. The higher the density, the more durable and expensive the carpet.
• Face weight records the ounces of surface fiber in one yard of carpet. The higher the number, the higher the quality. Total weight includes the backing and adhesive weight.
Construction methods are important to the life and quality of carpeting. Many carpets are created by punching the fiber through a backing, which then is finished by gluing another backing to the finished product. Backings are usually webs or plastic weaves; foam rubber backings may be found on indoor/outdoor carpeting or inexpensive kitchen carpets. Weaving fibers on a loom with a jute backing, but these are the most expensive options and used mainly for wool.
Fibers:
• Nylon is sold based on its strength, resiliency, long life, and ability to hold colors. Use in high traffic areas as it retains its pile and is easy to clean. Nylon is the most expensive of the synthetic fibers.
• Soft Nylon refers to the gauge of the fiber — thinner, providing a softer feel — so more fibers are woven into the backing. Due to the amount of fibers needed, these soft nylon products are more expensive. Due to the softer fiber, footprints and vacuum marks may be more visible. Also, some manufacturers require specific vacuums be used.
• Polyester now is made of PET — recycled plastic containers — and performs better than the former polyester product. Stain resistant, and a higher abrasion resistance, PET fiber has about 50 percent of the residential carpet market. The fibers hold their twist better, produce a face weight of 40 ounces or more and have a higher melting point. Less expensive than nylon or soft nylon.
• Triexta is a polyester version, although it contains corn glucose so it is considered more environmentally friendly. Softer than nylon and polyester due to its chemical make-up, it holds its shape, even in shag pile.
• Olefin (Polypropylene) is the most color-fast synthetic, and stain resistant, but does not have a good record of holding its pile, except when cut exceedingly short. Great used for indoor/outdoor carpet. Considered a less expensive fiber.
• Wool makes an excellent and expensive carpet. Providing a soft look with its superior tuft, wool is naturally soil, stain, static, and fire resistant. It holds its pile well and is long lasting.
Pile:
• Cut and Loop pile provides a pattern in the fibers by cutting some and leaving others looped. This pattern disguises footprint
and vacuuming patterns and provides a sculpture appearance.
• Cut pile can be accomplished in a smooth finish or textured. The height of the cut and the density of the fiber will determine the appearance and style. Velvet or Plush are denser weaves with a lower profile. These should not be used in high traffic areas as they will show footprints. Textured Plush is a dense weave with a patterned cut, which hides footprints so it is used in heavy traffic areas. Friezé produces a textured surface as the fibers consist of a high twist, minimizes footprints. Saxony fibers have a soft twist and may be straight cut or at an angle. The classic pile, it works well in most rooms, but can be considered to have less “personality” than other piles. Shag pile with its longer cut and lower twist in the fibers is realizing a resurgence.
• Loop pile is the original form of the woven carpet. The height of the loops provides the pattern, either and creates the look of the carpet. Berber is the most popular form of this pile, which is often used in high traffic areas, such as family rooms. Consider the height of the loop, though, as toys, furniture, and mechanicals can snag loops. This pile hides foot traffic the best.
