Carpet Flooring
What are the layers of carpet?
Every carpet is different. However, most carpets that are installed by a professional are equipped with four layers: a surface layer, a backing, a pad, and the subfloor.Carpet is an extremely popular choice, accounting for more US sales of floor covering than all other floor types combined. It’s still the most economical way to breathe new life into an old room. There are basically two types of carpet: cut pile and level loop, each having many styles to choose from within their given category.
Carpet – How its Made?
Density.The closeness of the yarns in a carpet. Denser pile translates into better quality.
FiberThe basic material in a carpet, fiber is either manmade (nylon, polyester, polypropylene/Olefin, acrylics) or natural (wool, sisal).
Pad.Also called “cushion” or “underlay,” carpet pad is the thin foam, fiber, or rubber layer beneath carpets. It prolongs the life of a carpet, serves as an insulator and adds comfort.
Pile.The visible surface of a carpet, pile consists of fiber tufts in loops that are either cut or uncut. Also called “nap.”Every carpet is different. However, most carpets that are installed by a professional are equipped with four layers: a surface layer, a backing, a pad, and the subfloor.The Surface
The surface layer is what you see. It has the pattern or color that makes up the carpet’s aesthetic appearance. This layer can be nylon, polyester, or wool. It’s the easiest layer to reach and clean.Backing
The backing layer is what holds the carpet together. Sometimes the backing can be one layer but other times there can be multiple layers of backing. It’s easy for stains to reach this layer without you realizing you haven’t cleaned it.Pad
This layer is the part of the carpet that makes it pleasant to walk on. It’s made up of finders like nylon, polypropylene, and polyester. It’s the next layer that aids in the overall comfort of walking on carpet.Subfloor
The final layer of a carpet is the subfloor. This layer is what the entire carpet is attached to. It’s usually made out of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) panels.
Types of Carpet Fibers
Carpet is made from various synthetic and natural fibers. Each has different characteristics.
- Nylon is the most popular. It’s durable and resistant to wear. It’s not good at fighting stains, so some varieties include a stain-resistant treatment.
- Olefin is resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew and makes a good carpet for basements and outdoors. It’s tougher than nylon but not as comfortable to walk on.
- Acrylic is often used as an inexpensive alternative to wool. It’s not widely available.
- Wool is the premier carpeting and the only natural fiber made into carpets. It’s durable and stain-resistant, and it’s considered an eco-friendly floor covering.
Types of Carpets
Berber Loop Pile: In a Berber carpet, the loops are short in length although a slight bit of variance is welcome. This is a dense choice that offers a smooth tone. It is also something that will not come apart all that quickly. You should still ensure that you don’t add anything sharp into the carpet so it will not tear up and wear out quickly.Level Loop Pile: A level loop design uses short loops where everything is carefully measured to where the loops are of the same length. This type is a little stiffer but it is perfectly appropriate for high traffic areas where durability and toughness are important.Multi-level Loop Pile: With a multi-level loop design, the tops of the loops will be varied by height, offering a more appealing design with series of visual flourishes. This is different from a patterned carpet in that all the threads are made into loops instead of just with cuts. This creates a design where the variance in the textures on the carpet can gradually change over time. The details on your carpet will not be as noticeable as you might think but they can make a real difference when aiming to make your space look its best.Saxony Cut Pile: The Saxony style is a cut pile option where the fiber ends are cut as evenly as possible. In a Saxony arrangement, the fibers are packed tightly together. This creates a smoother appearance. The fibers are about half an inch high as well. This is also known as a plush carpet for how soft and luxurious it feels. However, having such a soft-textured carpet is not without its pitfalls. The individual fibers in a Saxony carpet can tear up quickly, so be careful when moving furniture.Textured Cut Pile: The textured carpet style is another cut pile choice. The yarn used is twisted and then cut meaning the carpet is soft while the surface is twisted enough to create a more casual appearance. The twists are tight enough to offer stain resistance, meaning there is more durability and easier cleaning. Also, the individual fibers bend a little faster than those of a Saxony carpet but it can add a nice tone when used well.Frieze Cut Pile: The frieze choice uses short fibers that can curl in many directions. This establishes a sturdy look that can hide footprints although it is not necessarily made with heavy foot traffic in mind as too much traffic can cause excess fatigue in the area. It has an informal style and is often referred to as a shag pile carpet. It is an attractive option that exudes a sense of luxury but you should be careful with handling items around it as you could have a rather tough time with trying to clean out anything you spill in there.Pattern (Cut and Looped) Pile: A pattern arrangement uses a mix of cut and looped yarn spots. The specific areas where the yarn is looped versus where it is cut are planned out before the carpet is made, and is designed to establish a specific pattern. In this sense, a patterned carpet gets its pattern from its texture and construction, rather than from simply using dyes. Different colored yarns can be woven together to create the pattern, which can be in the form of contrasting colors or even a blend of different natural or synthetic carpet fiber. This is the same way woven carpet works in terms of structure and design, creating a unique texture carpet that gets it’s design from the way the yarn is woven together.Shag Pile: Shag carpet has begun to make a comeback in recent years, with a classier twist on the classic rug. Unlike shag carpet flooring in the mid-twentieth century, modern shags feature less garish colors, coming in more neutral white, ivory, or cream hues.Nylon: Nylon carpeting is a very popular option, due to how strong and durable nylon is. Nylon fiber can resist soil and stay in its same shape for years without warping. It is popular but it can produce static electricity due to friction. If you do decide to go for a nylon carpet, then you might want to apply anti-static sprays to help keep electric shocks to a minimum.Olefin:Olefin is a polypropylene compound that was originally used in outdoor situations for how well it can resist moisture. Today, it is used in indoor situations because olefin fibers offer a wool-like texture and are very strong. This can look great but it will have to be dyed to make it look esthetically pleasing. Also, excess exposure to the sun’s rays could hurt the appearance of the carpet.Polyester: Polyester carpeting is another popular option for those seeking toughness and durability in their floor coverings — without compromising on style. A prominent synthetic material, polyester can resist stains. It resists moisture and is easy to clean off. It could clump up into piles if you don’t maintain it well enough.Acrylic: Acrylic is made with a wool-like body that has a level of static and stain resistance that makes this variety particularly appealing for areas that might be susceptible to stains, and general wear and tear. It is not likely to fade as much as other options.Wool:You can always use real wool for your carpet if desired. Wool is appealing for how it features a series of carefully woven fibers that resist dirt. It can resist stains quite well. However, it is also more expensive due to how sturdy and durable the surface is.Triexta: Triexta is a synthetic choice that has become popular in many homes with pets and kids. This is thanks to how the fibers are strong and not as likely to tear apart like others. Triexta carpeting is a powerful option but it can also be somewhat expensive, so may not be the best choice for those wishing to keep costs down.
What is the most realistic carpet to have installed?
The ideal carpet for families who stay home a lot is a plush or Berber-style made out of a soft wool or nylon. These products are comfortable and look clean, even if they take a little extra upkeep.
Carpet – Where to install?
Best rooms for carpet:bedrooms, home offices and basements.Worst rooms for carpet:Kitchens, bathrooms, entry areas and dining rooms.
Carpet Benefits
Compared to other flooring options carpet tends to be cheaper and more cost effective. Carpeting tends to be easier, faster, and in most cases cheaper to install than other types of flooring. If you’re looking for a quick and easy solution to resolve your flooring needs, carpeting is probably your best bet. This is a major selling point for many home builders and buyers who are already spending a lot on other aspects of their new homes.New carpet is one of the lowest volatile organic compound (VOC)-emitting flooring choice available. Different from hard floors, carpet acts as a passive air filter, trapping dust, pollen, and particles and, therefore, removing them from the breathing zone.Carpeting comes in thousands of styles, designs and patterns, which means you can add a lot of personality to your house by choosing a carpet that is uniquely youCarpet provides thermal insulation and resistance, or R-value. In colder climates or seasons, carpet retains warm air longer than other flooring types. In addition to keeping your home cozy in the winter, this attribute conserves energy. Carpet also provides a comfortable place to sit, play, or work and gives a room an overall warmer feeling.If you choose your carpeting strategically, it can hide dirt and help keep your home looking clean and well kept. While it does require vacuuming and care on occasion, it’s not as high maintenance as most people think.Carpet can give a home a warm, cozy feel that’s harder to achieve with other flooring materials like hardwood, tile, and laminate. Carpet provides safety protection for the whole family, including toddlers, older individuals, and pets. Carpet cushions our footsteps, reduces the likelihood of slips and falls, and minimizes injuries when falls do occur.If you’re looking to reduce echo and stifle resonant sound in your home, carpeting is the way to go. It absorbs noise, which can help when it comes to muffling footsteps, music, voices, etc. Big screen TVs, speaker phones, computers, and sound systems make our homes noisy places. Carpet helps to absorb these sounds, making it easier to work, learn, and sleep. Adding a cushion pad beneath your carpet reduces noise even further. Carpet also works as a sound barrier between floors by helping to block sound transmission to rooms below. Carpet on stairs dampens the sound of foot traffic.
Choose the type of Carpet Installation
- Stretch-in installation.
- Direct glue-down installation.
- Double glue-down installation.
Caring and Cleaning of Carpet
When it comes to cleaning the various layers of your carpet you have options.
Vacuum
The easiest and most convenient way to clean your carpet. If you see debris on your carpet, you can use your vacuum cleaner to get rid of most of it. Regularly vacuuming your carpet is a great way to maintain a clean surface appearance and avoid developing deeply penetrated stains that are harder to clean.
Cleaning Solution
If you see a stain on your carpet that cannot be cleaned using a vacuum, you can try cleaning it using a cleaning solution. Start by using hot water and a damp towel. If that doesn’t get rid of the stain, you can opt for a high-quality carpet cleaning solution. Be careful when spot cleaning your carpet because you could accidentally make the stain get into the deeper layers of the carpet.
Professional Cleaners
If you’ve exhausted all your cleaning options and your carpet still appears dirty, it’s a good idea to hire a Maryland floor care specialist for a deep clean. They have the tools and equipment needed to get rid of any stain and will make your carpet look as good as new.