Antique type carpets help to add a touch of grandeur
and glamour to your home or office, speaking greatly
about your rich and extravagant tastes. Antique
carpets are beautiful home furnishings and solid
art investments. They aren't just decorative items,
but pieces of tradition, ethniticity, and true class
that dates back thousands of years.

Antique carpets represent enormous range in motifs
and color harmonies and you'll simply lose yourself
seeing the diverse combinations of rich antique
colors and heavy intricate weaving.

The diverse range of antique carpet pieces that you'll
encounter while shopping for them are mostly Oriental
carpets and rugs that portray the mystery and legend
of the far off lands of the Orient.

Antique carpets and rugs are imported mostly from China,
Persia, India, Afghanistan, Caucasus, and Turkey.
Some of the famous weaving areas of such antique carpets
include Kashan, Agra, and many other locations.

Antique carpets have a more artistic integrity, as
they are exclusively hand woven. They are sold all
over the world, with clients more than willing to pay
whatever they have to in order to redefine their home and
decorate in style.

If you are looking to add luster and glamour to your
home or office and are ready to spend a fortune on the
exquisite pieces of art, then you shouldnt wait a single
minute.

The first thing to do, is contact one of the several
reliable, knowledgeable, and genuine art dealers
and galleries who deal in antique carpets and
have profound knowledge about the various aspects
of a good and genuine antique carpet. They can
guide you in selecting the best one per your
budget and tastes.

You've got a bit of work to do as well. You should
visit a lot of dealers and educate yourself
about dyes, wools, design quality, and the many
styles of weaving as well. Touch the carpet and
scrutinize them carefully. Beware of the machine
made synthetic carpets that some dealers will
tell you are antique carpets.

Below, are some tips to help you when buying
antique carpet.
1. You have to remain careful and thoughtful
while analyzing each piece of antique carpet.
2. You'll also need to try and understand
the age and origin of the carpet that will in
turn give you a much better insight about the
overall quality of the carpet.
3. You'll also need to look and see if
the edge and borders are there in the antique
carpet you intend to buy, as the end and edge
borders are sometimes lost or even cut out on
purpose. Keep in mind that the borders will
determine the overall value of your carpet.
4. Keep an eye out for holes and moth
attacks that are both common when dealing with
antique carpets. These problems must be attended
to before you buy the carpet.
5. You should always deal with dealers who
have the prices marked on the carpet. See to it
that your dealer sticks to that price.

Whenever you select carpet, you have to consider many
aesthetic as well as technical areas. With well over
a hundred thousands styles and colors being released
every year, selecting the right carpet to match your
needs can be a very challenging task indeed.

Carpet is available in several different textures,
constructions, colors, and designs - which will open
the doors to virtually any interior design that you
can imagine. The combination of texture and color
will complement the look of both formal and casual
environments, while helping to bring continuity to
the overall room designs.

The most important thing to consider when you shop
for carpet is the amount of traffic that will be
on the carpet that is going to be installed as well
as the area you hope to use it in. The construction
and the texture are both key aspects when you
select a carpet for a specified area and use.

Nylon, polyester, and olefin are the mosty widely
used fibers with carpet manufacturing, with each
one displaying qualities that make themselves great
with specific applications and uses. Even though
nylon is the most expensive type of fiber, it is
also the softest and most resilient, which makes
it great for any room in your home, including those
areas that have a high level of traffic.

Polyester fabric is less resilient than nylon,
although it more cost efficient and offers a
high level of resistance to stains, which makes it
a great choice for areas such as bedrooms or dining
rooms that are not subjet to a lot of traffic.

The fiber olefin is solution dyed, which results
in a highly resistant stain carpet that can be
cleaned easily using a water and beach solution -
without any loss to the color.

Unlike the other types of fibers, olefin is fade,
mildew, and mold resistant, which results in a
carpet that performs well indoors and outdoors.
Keep in mind however, that olefin isn't very
resilient and as a result, it should only be
considered with berber construction.

You can get carpets in either plush or berber
construction. The berber type of carpets are well
constructed with a continuous level loop, while
plush carpets are constructed of loops that have
been sheared, which results in the strands standing
upright.

Berber construction carpets don't crush or matt,
due to their high level loops. They are however
harder underfoot, uncomfortable to sit on or lay
down on, and they can easily become damaged by
pets with long nails. Berber carpets are well
suited for high traffic areas, which include walk
ways, living rooms, and entrance areas. They aren't
popular with bedrooms, as their hard texture makes
them a less than attractive option.

The plush type carpets are much softer to walk or
lay on and they offer better sound and thermal
insulation. They tend to crush and matt though
when they are subjected to high levels of foot
traffic.

The use of nylon fiber paired with a tight low pile
construction will help to limit the amount of pile
and matt crushing, due to the high resilient nature
of the nylon fiber and the added support that is
gained from tight construction.

The warranties for carpet ranges from 5 - 30 years,
with the general rule being that you don't cover
the stairs. Most carpet warranties will require
the installation of new carpet padding as well at
the time of installation in order for the warranty
to become valid.

A majority of how your interior looks and feels will
depend on your floors. Houses that have carpet
give off an undeniable warmth, vibrancy, and an
aesthetic appeal. There is a wide range of colors,
textures, materials, and designs available that can
transform your home and give every room a chance
to be unique. Your carpet installation has a long
term perspective, so it's important that you select
the best one for your needs and install it right the
first time.

Once you have picked out your material and design,
you'll need to it install it. Professional carpet
installers can do the job for you, or you can choose
to do it yourself. Even though doing it yourself
is cheaper than hiring a professional, it isn't
recommended if you don't have the right tools, lack
time, or have no experience.

A great way to ensure a professional installation
of your carpet is to buy from an authorized carpet
retailer or dealer. Most of the time, your carpet
retailer will have an installation staff that is
very experienced with installing carpet.

If the retailer doesn't offer an installation
service, they can still guide you to a reputable
and experienced installer. Even though installation
by a retailer is a bit more expensive, it offers
several advantages. The experience will show in
their work and you'll come out better in the long
run. You can also approach them if you aren't
satisfied with anything they have done.

However, if you are looking for low budget carpet
installation services, you'll also have the option
of hiring independent contractors, architects,
builders, or interior designers. You should
always remember to get their references and inquire
about their experience, where they received their
training, and any certification they may have.

You can also visit homes that the installer has
previously worked on, as this will give you an
idea of their work before you hire them. If it
isn't possible, you should at least make it a
point to see some pictures of their work.

Even though private contractors may offer a lower
rate for carpet installation than your retailer,
the services of post installation may be very
poor. If you encounter a problem, you'll find
that your options are limited. No matter what
happens, if you choose an independent carpet
installer, you should always make sure that the
installer follows the standard for installation
of residential carpet CRI 105.

Choosing the right installer for your carpet will
entirely depend on your specific needs. If you
like to change your carpet type every few years,
you may be better off to choose an independent
carpet installer. If you want carpet that will
last for a long time, you should get a follow up
from a retailer, as this will ensure that you
have a trouble free experience with installation.

No matter who you choose, you should ensure prior
to installation the carpet is power stretched
so wrinkling and rippling will be minimized.
It is also important that your rooms are
measured before laying any of them and the sub
floor has been cleaned.

You should also vacuum the old carpet good before
it is removed, to help eliminate dust. Once
the new carpet is down, the edges should be
trimmed and sealed with hardwood. You should
always inspect the carpet, and make sure that
nothing looks out of the ordinary and that
everything pleases you before you finish the
deal.

You should always keep in mind that no matter
how expensive or exotic your carpets may be, it
is the installation process that makes or breaks
the look of your home. Therefore, it pays off
to invest a bit of time, money, and effort when
you choose the right installer for your carpet.

Going beyond beige
Long ago, when the choices of carpet were limited
to basic beige, the designers tended to treat it
more often than not as a neutral background for
rooms. These days, with numerous patterns, textures,
and colors to choose from, the carpet is quickly
emerging as the focal point in many interior
designs.

Although you may think the need for neutral carpet
has faded away, it hasn't, as Berber is still an
excellent choice. Unlike the plain choices of the
early 1990s, the versions of today offer more
pattern and texture. Even the traditional types
of Berber carpet offer more visual interest with
more extreme differences in pile being cut thicker,
with deeper loop textures.

Color being sprinkled against a neutral background
will add interest and dimension while helping to
mask spots and spills. The flecks of color are
now appearing against tan, beige, and cream type
backgrounds as well as in other neutrals as well.

Colors and textures
The major shift in new products is going towards
layered color and softer texture in carpet. The
combination of pattern and texture will always
be a popular choice simply because it minimizes
soil and vacuum marks. The other advantage here
is that the color and texture offer a more
distinct styling and plenty of fashion appeal
as well.

The new products are rapidly changing the
perception of carpet as not only being a
background to showcase other furnishings to
the possibility that the carpet can become a
focus for design as well.

Construction
The new manufacturing capabilities have produced
several new looks with carpets that are constructed
with cut and loop yarns. Some examples include
bows, swirls, lattices, plaids, pin dots, and
several others.

By taking advantage of these choices, you can add
a great deal of interest to the room and in
sequence with the florals, stripes, and other
patterns on windows and furniture. The carpet
pattern and texture will also increase the
perception of quality and value in the carpet,
and will add a much broader element to the
surroundings as well.

These days, carpets can do more than just protect
your sub floor. They can add a new level of
comfort and warmth to your home, with literally
thousands of choices available. Carpet is
easier than ever to clean as well, making it
more than worth worthy of being in your home.

With several different trends and new and exciting
colors to choose from, the carpets of today
can make your house come alive. The carpets
will add new meaning to your rooms, making you
appreciate your home even more. If you have
older carpet in your home now, you shouldn't
wait another minute to upgrade. Once you take
a look at all of the choices you have, you'll
want to get that new carpet in now - as your
floor with want to thank you as well!

Although vacuum cleaning can remove a majority of the
dry soil, it is also necessary to clean your carpet
on a frequent basis to remove the oily, sticky soil
that builds up in the pile as a result of odors and
dirt that is tracked in from outside.

If you can clean the carpet before it becomes too
bad, the cleaning chore will be easier to do and a
lot more successful. There is a myth that is totally
false, which states that cleaning the carpet before
it is necessary will get it dirtier faster. The
carpet with the typical household should be cleaned
every 12 - 18 months depending on the number of
people living there and the amount of traffic that
walks on the carpet.

The choice of the right vacuum is important as
well. There are some vacuums that will leave
residues behind, which will promote re-soiling and
basically defeat the whole purpose of household
cleaning.

Professional carpet cleaners
It is in your best interest to use professional
cleaners simply because their experience will enable
them to do a much better job than you can do yourself.
The equipment they use has more extraction power
than the units available to you, and the carpet
will dry faster as well. They know the cleaning
agents to use, and they know the differences in
carpet construction and fibers.

Doing it yourself
If you have made the decision to rent a steam
cleaning machine and do the job yourself, you
should check on several systems before you make a
selection. Most of the units available for rent
don't clean well enough and may end up damaging
your carpet. Therefore, you should always consider
the following:
- Several rental companies offer cleaning
equipment that is similar to what the professionals
use. The equipment should have enough vacuum
power to allow the carpet to dry within 12 hours
of cleaning. You should always avoid rental units
found in retail and grocery stores that don't
have the power to extract the cleaning solution
from the carpet fast enough, as it can actually
damage the carpet due to over wetting.
- Make sure you avoid over wetting the
carpet. Any prolonged dampness can lead to mildew
growth and bacteria in the carpet, or cause a
seperation of the backing. A wet carpet that stays
this way for longer than 24 hours can develop
problems. You can control this by using proper
equipment and the right training.
- Carpets that have stain resistant
treatments have to be cleaned with products that
are formulated for this very purpose, or the stain
resistance will be impaired and the warranty will
be voided. Never use cleaning or spotting solutions
that contain bleaches as they can mess up the color
of the carpet.
- Never use any silicone based treatments
on the carpet.
- You can help to reduce the drying time
by using several fans to move the air around the
carpet. You can use a dehumidifier as well, as
it will pull moisture from the air.

Hot water extraction
The hot water extraction system is highly recommended,
as it considered to be one of the best methods
for carpet cleaning. Also known as steam cleaning,
the process consists of spraying a mixture of water
and detergent into the pile and recovering the
water and soil with a powerful vacuum that puts it
into a holding tank. You can use a truck mounted
unit or a portable self contained unit as well. This
method is easily one of the best, and is ideal for
soiled carpets or pet stains that you have yet to
get out of the fibers.

When it comes to carpet for your home, you may want
carpet that you install yourself. There are ways
that you can carpet a room very cheaply, without
having to spend a lot of money. Carpet can get very
expensive in a hurry, which is why saving money is
so very important to those on a tight budget.

One very cheap way you can carpet a room is by using
carpet samples. This is actually considered new
carpet, as samples aren't considered to be used.

You can buy samples of carpet for .25 cents a piece
at closeout sales or at your local hardware or carpet
store. Depending on the size of the room you are
looking to carpet, how many samples you'll need
will vary. You'll also need staples as well, which
cost around a dollar or so. Most of the time,
you can expect to pay a dollar or so for each square
of carpet, which is still considered to be cheap
carpet.

Keep in mind that using samples or square is a very
unusual style and you have to think about the resale
value of your home. If you have a trailer or mobile
home, then the style is probably going to be unusual
and cheap to start with. If you have an expensive
or mid priced home, then you may decide to use
cheap carpeting in the basement, playroom, or in
a children's playhouse.

If you are doing a children's playroom, using
multi-colored carpet is perfect. It is very colorful
and if a spill stains one of the squares of carpet,
you can quickly and easily pull it back up and
install a new one. This is a great advantage to
doing a playroom this way.

Installing your cheap carpet
The only things you'll actually need when you
install carpet samples or squares in a room is a
carpet knife and a staple gun. The 5/8" staples
seem to work the best for squares and samples.

All you need to do is put the carpet peice in
place and staple in two or three staples along each
side. Make sure you wiggle the head of the
stapler down deep between the fibers, or between
the border and the fibers, so you can hide the
staples as much as possible.

If you are carpeting a basement floor, you can
use carpet tape instead of staples. With either
case, this is best to do when padding isn't that
important. You can use padding as well if you
don't mind the complications, although without it,
its pure simplicity.

You may also choose to lay out your pieces of
carpet first, then decide where each individual piece
will go. When you reach walls, heating sources, or
other obstacles, you can quickly and easily cut the
pieces to fit. If you happen to make a mistake, it
will cost you around a dollar, instead of costing
you a fortune. When you make a mistake, all you
have to do is start over a new piece of carpet.

Before you begin to put the carpet down, you should
always estimate how many pieces you will need,
and then call around to find a store that has
enough samples for the room.

Although the samples will range in size at different
stores, the average is 18 X 18 inches. If you
use pieces that are the same size, you'll find
things to be much easier. Even though you may be
paying a dollar a piece, it rounds out to less
than .50 cents per square foot to carpet your room
of choice - which is really cheap carpet!

The carpet that is made today is a mix of old world
craftsmanship and a touch of 21st century innovation.
By combining the two, carpet is able to become the
household feature that we all know and love - and
get tired of cleaning.

Carpet can be manufactured in one of two ways;
weaving or tufting. Carpets that are woven are
primarily wool and are very durable, and very
expensive as well. The woven carpet types can be
hand produced, as it has been for centuries, or by
machine. No matter what method is chosen, the same
procedures are followed.

The yarn for the carpet is woven through or around
vertical fibers known as warps, and then locked
into place with horizontal strands known as wefts.
The woven carpets can utilize a variety of colors
as well to create intricate patterns in the
highest quality of carpets.

Tufting machines can also be utilized as well, as
they use computers to determine the patterns, styles,
construction, and density. No longer does someone
have to do everything by hand or mentally, as the
tufting machines will take all of the guesswork out
and make things easy on the operator.

Once the fibers have been locked into place, the
carpet is dyed using a variety of methods that
will create patterns or effects. For cut pile
carpets, the final stage is stretched,
cutting the pile loops. This is an important
stage, as it will determine the softness and
feel of the carpet.

The carpet will also receive a secondary stretch
backing as well to give it stability and allow
it to be stretched during the installation
process. Most of the carpets of this day and
age will receive stain protection as well, which
happens during the manufacturing phase.

The way that a carpet is made will greatly affect
how the carpet is installed. In the past, the
creation of carpet was a very complicated
process, as there were no computers or technology
to do most of the work. Back then, it was all
done by hand. The carpets were great, although
there wasn't any colors or textures that we
have to choose from today.

The carpet manufacturers of today have a lot of
technology at their disposal, which makes life
at the plants easy. Operators can watch and
operate machines to do a lot of the work, which
makes their job a lot easier.

The continuous fibers found with carpet are heat
set and twisted at the mill to give a tightly
twisted product that is commonly found with
frieze carpets. This type of yarn is less
bulky although it will hold its shape for a long
period of time, which is great for those who
don't like to replace their carpet every couple
of years.

Anytime it involves your floors, you shouldn't limit
yourself to just carpet, but try the newer carpet
tiles instead. Carpet tiles are available in an
array of designs and a great choice of materials
as well. Bordered, geometric, contemporary, or
bamboo - will give your floors a complete makeover
and a great look as well.

When you go out to buy carpet tiles, you'll need
to think about where you plan to install them.
The tiles will vary in density as well as thickness.
Carpet tiles with more thickness have a cushion
so that it's soft on the surface, making them ideal
for homes. They will also provide a degree of
thermal insulation as well. The thinner types of
tiles are best for offices, gyms, and other high
traffic areas. All carpet tiles are easy to
maintain and will last you for a long time.

The tiles will come in a variety of materials and
patterns. If you choose, you can make your home
a greenhouse by using bamboo carpet tiles, or you
can choose terracotta carpet tiles that will
give your interior an earthly feel.

You may just want to liven things up a bit or
play down your floor, depending on the look you
are going for. Carpet tiles that are made from
foam, rubber, linoleum, and vinyl are best for
children's rooms, office spaces, or other high
traffic areas. The cost for the tiles will
depend on their thickness and density, which
means that the prices can range from 1$ per square
foot up to 40$ per square foot.

Tiles for carpet will offer you several advantages
when you compare them to wall to wall carpets.
They are easy to install and easy to transport,
as you can install them without having to move
any furniture! They are very durable as well,
and will last longer than most types of carpet
even when they are used in high traffic areas.

You can also unleash your creative side as well
with carpet tiles. You can mix and match
different tiles, or use a color for the border
and even create a distinctive look using
various patterns. Unlike wall to wall carpet,
you don't need any professional help in case
of tear, wear, or staining. If they become
torn or stained, just replace that tile with a
new one.

There are carpet tiles available to fit each
and every taste, even budget and furnishings style
as well. As they are less expensive, they will
offer you the chance to experiment with your
interior. Pretty much the same with carpets,
the installation of tiles is very important.

They must be installed on hard surfaces, such as
stone, cement, or ceramic tile. The surface has
to be smooth and clean, so the adhesives will
last and your floor will have a well finished
look. The carpet tiles will normally have cushion
or padding already installed, which will reduce
the cost and extend the life of the carpet.

Anytime it involves your floors, you shouldn't limit
yourself to just carpet, but try the newer carpet
tiles instead. Carpet tiles are available in an
array of designs and a great choice of materials
as well. Bordered, geometric, contemporary, or
bamboo - will give your floors a complete makeover
and a great look as well.

When you go out to buy carpet tiles, you'll need
to think about where you plan to install them.
The tiles will vary in density as well as thickness.
Carpet tiles with more thickness have a cushion
so that it's soft on the surface, making them ideal
for homes. They will also provide a degree of
thermal insulation as well. The thinner types of
tiles are best for offices, gyms, and other high
traffic areas. All carpet tiles are easy to
maintain and will last you for a long time.

The tiles will come in a variety of materials and
patterns. If you choose, you can make your home
a greenhouse by using bamboo carpet tiles, or you
can choose terracotta carpet tiles that will
give your interior an earthly feel.

You may just want to liven things up a bit or
play down your floor, depending on the look you
are going for. Carpet tiles that are made from
foam, rubber, linoleum, and vinyl are best for
children's rooms, office spaces, or other high
traffic areas. The cost for the tiles will
depend on their thickness and density, which
means that the prices can range from 1$ per square
foot up to 40$ per square foot.

Tiles for carpet will offer you several advantages
when you compare them to wall to wall carpets.
They are easy to install and easy to transport,
as you can install them without having to move
any furniture! They are very durable as well,
and will last longer than most types of carpet
even when they are used in high traffic areas.

You can also unleash your creative side as well
with carpet tiles. You can mix and match
different tiles, or use a color for the border
and even create a distinctive look using
various patterns. Unlike wall to wall carpet,
you don't need any professional help in case
of tear, wear, or staining. If they become
torn or stained, just replace that tile with a
new one.

There are carpet tiles available to fit each
and every taste, even budget and furnishings style
as well. As they are less expensive, they will
offer you the chance to experiment with your
interior. Pretty much the same with carpets,
the installation of tiles is very important.

They must be installed on hard surfaces, such as
stone, cement, or ceramic tile. The surface has
to be smooth and clean, so the adhesives will
last and your floor will have a well finished
look. The carpet tiles will normally have cushion
or padding already installed, which will reduce
the cost and extend the life of the carpet.

Whenever you select carpet, you have to consider many
aesthetic as well as technical areas. With well over
a hundred thousands styles and colors being released
every year, selecting the right carpet to match your
needs can be a very challenging task indeed.

Carpet is available in several different textures,
constructions, colors, and designs - which will open
the doors to virtually any interior design that you
can imagine. The combination of texture and color
will complement the look of both formal and casual
environments, while helping to bring continuity to
the overall room designs.

The most important thing to consider when you shop
for carpet is the amount of traffic that will be
on the carpet that is going to be installed as well
as the area you hope to use it in. The construction
and the texture are both key aspects when you
select a carpet for a specified area and use.

Nylon, polyester, and olefin are the mosty widely
used fibers with carpet manufacturing, with each
one displaying qualities that make themselves great
with specific applications and uses. Even though
nylon is the most expensive type of fiber, it is
also the softest and most resilient, which makes
it great for any room in your home, including those
areas that have a high level of traffic.

Polyester fabric is less resilient than nylon,
although it more cost efficient and offers a
high level of resistance to stains, which makes it
a great choice for areas such as bedrooms or dining
rooms that are not subjet to a lot of traffic.

The fiber olefin is solution dyed, which results
in a highly resistant stain carpet that can be
cleaned easily using a water and beach solution -
without any loss to the color.

Unlike the other types of fibers, olefin is fade,
mildew, and mold resistant, which results in a
carpet that performs well indoors and outdoors.
Keep in mind however, that olefin isn't very
resilient and as a result, it should only be
considered with berber construction.

You can get carpets in either plush or berber
construction. The berber type of carpets are well
constructed with a continuous level loop, while
plush carpets are constructed of loops that have
been sheared, which results in the strands standing
upright.

Berber construction carpets don't crush or matt,
due to their high level loops. They are however
harder underfoot, uncomfortable to sit on or lay
down on, and they can easily become damaged by
pets with long nails. Berber carpets are well
suited for high traffic areas, which include walk
ways, living rooms, and entrance areas. They aren't
popular with bedrooms, as their hard texture makes
them a less than attractive option.

The plush type carpets are much softer to walk or
lay on and they offer better sound and thermal
insulation. They tend to crush and matt though
when they are subjected to high levels of foot
traffic.

The use of nylon fiber paired with a tight low pile
construction will help to limit the amount of pile
and matt crushing, due to the high resilient nature
of the nylon fiber and the added support that is
gained from tight construction.

The warranties for carpet ranges from 5 - 30 years,
with the general rule being that you don't cover
the stairs. Most carpet warranties will require
the installation of new carpet padding as well at
the time of installation in order for the warranty
to become valid.

A majority of how your interior looks and feels will
depend on your floors. Houses that have carpet
give off an undeniable warmth, vibrancy, and an
aesthetic appeal. There is a wide range of colors,
textures, materials, and designs available that can
transform your home and give every room a chance
to be unique. Your carpet installation has a long
term perspective, so it's important that you select
the best one for your needs and install it right the
first time.

Once you have picked out your material and design,
you'll need to it install it. Professional carpet
installers can do the job for you, or you can choose
to do it yourself. Even though doing it yourself
is cheaper than hiring a professional, it isn't
recommended if you don't have the right tools, lack
time, or have no experience.

A great way to ensure a professional installation
of your carpet is to buy from an authorized carpet
retailer or dealer. Most of the time, your carpet
retailer will have an installation staff that is
very experienced with installing carpet.

If the retailer doesn't offer an installation
service, they can still guide you to a reputable
and experienced installer. Even though installation
by a retailer is a bit more expensive, it offers
several advantages. The experience will show in
their work and you'll come out better in the long
run. You can also approach them if you aren't
satisfied with anything they have done.

However, if you are looking for low budget carpet
installation services, you'll also have the option
of hiring independent contractors, architects,
builders, or interior designers. You should
always remember to get their references and inquire
about their experience, where they received their
training, and any certification they may have.

You can also visit homes that the installer has
previously worked on, as this will give you an
idea of their work before you hire them. If it
isn't possible, you should at least make it a
point to see some pictures of their work.

Even though private contractors may offer a lower
rate for carpet installation than your retailer,
the services of post installation may be very
poor. If you encounter a problem, you'll find
that your options are limited. No matter what
happens, if you choose an independent carpet
installer, you should always make sure that the
installer follows the standard for installation
of residential carpet CRI 105.

Choosing the right installer for your carpet will
entirely depend on your specific needs. If you
like to change your carpet type every few years,
you may be better off to choose an independent
carpet installer. If you want carpet that will
last for a long time, you should get a follow up
from a retailer, as this will ensure that you
have a trouble free experience with installation.

No matter who you choose, you should ensure prior
to installation the carpet is power stretched
so wrinkling and rippling will be minimized.
It is also important that your rooms are
measured before laying any of them and the sub
floor has been cleaned.

You should also vacuum the old carpet good before
it is removed, to help eliminate dust. Once
the new carpet is down, the edges should be
trimmed and sealed with hardwood. You should
always inspect the carpet, and make sure that
nothing looks out of the ordinary and that
everything pleases you before you finish the
deal.

You should always keep in mind that no matter
how expensive or exotic your carpets may be, it
is the installation process that makes or breaks
the look of your home. Therefore, it pays off
to invest a bit of time, money, and effort when
you choose the right installer for your carpet.

In the past and even today, carpet is very popular
with home owners all across the U.S. Carpet is
the most practical, fashionable, and versatile
choice of flooring out there, as it also accounts
for more than half of all flooring purchases that
are made each and every year. The fact is, carpet
has outsold every other type of flooring for more
than 60 years.

Carpet offers you several advantages that other
flooring options can't compete with. Below, you
will find many of the features that carpet will
add to your home.

Warmth
Carpet is the best choice you can make for your
bedroom, family room, and other areas where you
need warmth underfoot.

Insulation
Both carpet and carpet padding will provide an
extra layer of much needed insulation between the
floors of your home. Depending on the density and
weight of the carpet, it contributes to the R-value
of your home, which adds to the energy efficiency
as well.

Safety
Carpet offers a slip resistant surface that will
prevent accidents along with a natural cushion
in the event of someone falling. For young
children and the elderly, this is very important.

Reduction in sound
Carpet will also reduce noise better than any
other type of flooring. Carpet works to dampen
noise in three ways:
1. Reduces surface noise from foot traffic
2. Absorbs airborne sound
3. Blocks transmission of sound
These qualities are valuable in apartments as well
as semi-detached homes.

Surface
Adding carpet to a room can also disguise any
existing damage to the floor and also hide any
other problems such as warped floors. The thicker
density the carpet is, the more problems it will
be able to hide.

Easy to care for
The carpets of today are more stain resistant
than they have ever been in the past, which makes
cleaning even the worst possible spills easier
than ever. No matter type of spill it may be,
there is always a way to clean it up.

Clean air
Research has proven that carpet can indeed improve
the quality of air by trapping allergy causing
dust and allergens if it is properly cleaned and
maintained.

Variety of use
Carpets aren't only for floors anymore, which is
a really great thing. You can easily add carpet
to steps, stairs, walls, posts, and other non
level surfaces, without having to worry about it
slipping, lifting, or buckling.

Flexibility
Carpet is the primary foundation in almost any
room. Because it is available in a variety of
different colors and textures, it helps to
create an unlimited number of possibilities for
decorating. From the neutral tones to rich
solids, carpet is the first step you can take
to make your home look better than ever.

Low cost
Carpet doesn't cost a lot of money, as it offers
an economical alternative to the other types of
expensive flooring. Even with professional
installation, you won't pay near as much as you
would for hard surfaces. Unlike hard surfaces,
carpet can keep you comfortable if you decide
to lay down on it.

Life span
The carpets of today are very durable and can
outlast most other types of flooring available on
the market. All you have to do is select a
type of carpet that has a life span of 5 - 30
years or more, which is very common now days.

Warranty
With most manufacturers, you can get great
warranties with your carpet purchase. This way,
you'll be protected when you install your new
carpet. Once installed, all you have to do is
enjoy it - as the warranty will ensure that you
are very well protected.

Nylon
The fiber nylon was introduced first by the DuPont
Chemical Company in 1938. Several years later, after
a great deal of development, nylon became the first
synthetic fiber to be used in the entire carpeting
industry.

The first 3 generations of fiber experienced many
problems with the worst being staining. The 4th
generation fiber of nylon had a mill applied coating
that solved a majority of the staining problems. The
ability of the fiber to repel water and oil based
spills as well as soil helped to propel nylon into
the top selling carpet fibers out there.

After several other changes, the DuPont company
introduced the fifth generation nylon fiber. This
stain resistant fiber would repel most dye stains
if treated in a reasonable time. This fiber is
more accurately called an acid dye blocker in that
it doesn't allow acid dyes to penetrate and stain
the fiber.

The protective coating mill is applied and fills the
dye sites with anionic molecules.

Tip
An easy way to test fiber for the presence of a
fluorochemical is to cut a couple of fibers from a
non traffic area and apply a few drops of oil and
water mixture. If it beads up, then there is an
active fluorochemical present.

Whenever testing for the presence of the acid dye
blocker, you should again cut a couple of fibers
from a non traffic area, then immerse the fibers
in a red kool-aid mixture and wait for 5 minutes
or so. Remove the fiber from the liquid and
flush with neutral detergent solution. If the
acid blockers are present and active, there will
be no discoloration.

Polyester
The fiber of polyester was first introduced into
the garment industry around in the 1950s. By the
late 1960s, polyester was introduced into the
carpet industry as a face yarn. In hand, feel,
and appearance it is similar to nylon, although
it doesn't possess that same resiliency.

Polyester doesn't absorb water based spills, isn't
affected by urine or kool-aid, but it will
absorb oil based spills. Polyester is non allergenic
and mildew resistant.

Acrylic/modacrylic
Both of these fibers were first used as carpet
yarns around the late 1940s. They disappeared
around 1988 due to the competition from other fibers.
In was reintroduced to the market around 1990
in Berber styling.

This was done so that people could take advantage
of the wool like appearance, hand feel, and the
fact that its more spot resistant, much easier to
clean, and not damaged in the ways that wool is.

Olefin
Olefin is the latest of the synthetic fibers to
be adopted to carpets. Once only available in
continous filament, it is now produced in staple
form as well. Olefin has a wide variety of uses
that include primary and secondary backing of
tufted carpets, warp yarns, and other uses as well.

The carpet market is a vast market, with many types
to choose from. Below, you'll find the several
different types of carpet and what they will offer
you and your home.

Woven
Woven carpet is produced on a loom that is very
similar to woven cloth, being cut pile. There
are many different colored yarns being used and the
entire process is capable of producing very intricate
patterns from designs that are pre-determined.
Normally, woven is the highest quality of carpet
on the market.

Tufted
This type of carpet is produced on a tufting machine
by using either a single colored or sometimes a
non colored yarn. If non colored is being used,
then the carpet will be dyed or printed with a
design as a separate process. Carpets that are
tufted can either be cut pile, loop pile, or a
combination of both. Machines can produce a lot
more meters of carpet than weaving, and they are
normally at the lower end of the market.

Needlefelt
The needlefelt type of carpet is a bit more
technologically advanced. They are produced by
electrostatic attraction of individual fibers
that form a unique carpet with extremely high
durability. You can normally find needlefelt
carpet in the contract market such as in hotels
or other places where there is always going to be
a lot of traffic.

Flatweave
The flatweave carpet is created by interlocking
warp and weft threads. The types of oriental
flatwoven carpet include soumak, plain weave,
and tapestry weave. This type is not well known
in the North American region, although it is
very popular in the orient and Japan.

Hooked rug
This is a simple construction of rug that is
handmade by pulling strips of cloth such as
wool or cotton through the meshes of a very
sturdy fabric. Now, this type of rug is generally
known as a handicraft.

Knotted pile
With knotted pile carpets, the structural weft
threads will alternate with a supplementary
weft that will rise from the surface of the
weave at a perpendicular angle.

Cut and loop piles
The cut and loop pile combines both looped and
cut fibers. They provide a variety of
surface textures for medium durability. Cut
and loop carpets are available in either solid
or different colors. The several different layers
in this carpet can hide dirt and footprints in
formal and informal areas.

Saxony
Saxony consists of tightly twisted cut piles
that are heat set straight. They consist of
two or more fibers that have been twisted
together in a yarn, and they provide a very
soft texture for informal as well as formal
areas. They will show each and every footprint
and even marks from vacuum cleaners.

Textured saxony
Textured carpet is the best selling and it
works well in informal areas due to the very
soft feel. They are tightly twisted and
texture headset for medium durability. They
also offer a multi colored look that will
hide tracks and footprints.

Plush/velvet
Both plush and velvet are lightly twisted and
offer a uniform color. They are very soft
and offer more level than textures. This type
of carpet is ideal for formal areas due to
it's luxurious appearance.

Frieze
Frieze is a highly twisted cut pile type of
carpet that is suited for high traffic areas.
It has short fibers that will tend to curl
in different directions at the surface to
hide footprints and vacuum marks.

Level loop pile
The level loop pile is constructed by weaving
even loops of yarn into carpet backing at both
ends. This type of carpet is durable as
well as track resistant, due to the strong
loops. Higher loops in the carpet will create
a more luxurious look. They are also great
because they will prevent dirt from filtering
on into the carpet.