Determine
Carpet Quality
Even though color may be the first consideration, quality should be
a major factor in choosing the right carpet for your home. Quality
plays a big role in the longevity of your carpet. To determine quality,
you should check the carpet's pile or yarn for texture, depth and
density.
Carpet
Pile
"Pile" is the yarn on the top surface of the carpet. Long-wearing
carpet has a closely packed, dense pile attached firmly to the backing
of the carpet. Therefore, carpets which have a firmer, fuller feel
have a greater longevity. A good way to check the density of the carpet's
pile, is to bend back the corner of the carpet. The more you see the
carpets backing, the less durable your carpet will be and the less
fiber there is to walk on. Different types of piles have different
degrees of durability.
COMMON
CARPET PILE TYPES OR STYLES
Cut
- The pile loops are cut to expose the ends of the yarn. There are
four basic cut pile styles:
Frieze - A frieze pile is very highly twisted with
a firm, lean feel and appearance. This is a good choice for areas
of high traffic - kids rooms, family rooms, halls, foyers, and
stairways. Other than possibly a loop pile, a frieze pile does
provide the best resistance to appearance change.
Saxony/Saxony Plush - The tufts are usually under
one inch high, and a better Saxony plush has tightly twisted yarn
tufts that don't flair open. In fact, you can easily see the tufted
ends. Saxony has a larger pile which tends to give a less formal
look to a room. Saxony Plush is the same as Saxony but with a
smaller yarn which gives a room a very formal look.
Textured Saxony - The durability of a textured
Saxony pile generally falls between that of a Saxony and a Frieze.
This pile has a greater twist than a Saxony and therefore reduces
footprints and vacuum cleaner marks.
Velvet Plush - This is a carpet that shows shading
from vacuuming. Typically, there is little tuft definition and
it has an extremely smooth surface which looks to many people
like velvet. Individual tufts are tightly packed, creating a very
dense pile which is both rich and soft. It's perfect in living
rooms and bedrooms with moderate to light traffic.
Loop - Instead of cutting the loops, carpet mills
leave the loop uncut with no visible ends, providing very good resistance
to matting and crushing. There are several looped styles of carpet
available:
Level Loop Pile - The loops are of equal height,
making the carpet very durable and resistant to matting, often
used in high traffic areas. Berber is the most popular residential
carpet of this style. It is usually made of an untwisted yarn
which is low in profile and typically has a multicolored appearance.
Multilevel Loop Pile - Usually has two to three
different loop heights to create pattern effects. It's looped
structure provides good durability.
Cut and Loop - Cut and loop carpets have both cut
and loop piles and usually have a sculptured pattern which is
multicolored.
The
PAR Rating system
The PAR Rating system is an industry scale endorsed by The Carpet
and Rug Institute and measures a carpet's likelihood to change from
its original appearance due to matting. It is rated on a scale from
1-5, with a high number representing the least change and therefore
higher quality. Generally, the denser a carpet is tufted, the higher
its PAR will be.
Fiber
Fiber is a major component in determining a carpet's durability
There are 5 basic fibers that are used in carpet construction, each
with their strengths and weaknesses.
Nylon: One of the most popular pile fibers used.
It is wear-resistant, resilient, withstands the weight and movement
of furniture, and provides brilliant color. Ability to resist
soil and stains. Generally good for all traffic areas.
Polyester: Noted for luxurious, soft "hand"
when used in thick, cut pile textures. Has excellent color clarity
and retention. Easily cleaned, and resistant to water soluble
stains.
Polypropylene (Olefin): Strong, resists wear and
permanent stains, and is easily cleaned. Resists static electricity
and is often used in both indoor and outdoor installations because
of its resistance to moisture and mildew.
Acrylic: Offers the appearance and feel of
wool without the cost. Has low static level and is moisture and
mildew resistant. Commonly used in velvet and level loop constructions.
Wool: Noted for its luxury and performance, wool
is soft, has high bulk, and is available in many colors. Generally,
wool is somewhat more expensive than synthetic fibers. And in
some cases may aggravate allergies for some people.
OTHER IMPORTANT FACTORS:
Luster
Carpet made from fiber which has a luster is shiny in appearance,
reflecting a rooms light. Carpet is produced in a variety of luster's,
ranging from bright to dull.
Carpet Pad
A good carpet pad will add years to your carpet and is key to your
comfort under foot. The carpet pad not only creates a softer walking
surface, it also helps absorb noise, prevents carpet from sliding
and insulates cold floors. Different materials are used to make carpet
pad. Foam rubber and Urethane are the most common - both are durable,
non allergenic and mildew resistant. Foam rubber cushions are often
available both in flat and waffle styles
It is best to choose an pad based on the room's intended use.. The
denser the pad, the better the carpet will perform. A thin, super
soft pad is less effective than a fairly firm one. A firm, dense pad
should be used in rooms with heavy traffic, while a carpet pad with
less density can be used in rooms with lighter traffic.
