Carpet
- Carpet selection
- Carpet fibres
- Carpet treatments
- Carpet pile
- Carpet padding
- Area rugs
- Carpet maintenance
- Carpet stain removal
Carpet selection
Carpet brings luxury, fashion, and comfort to mind. It’s quiet, insulates well from cold, and has a multitude of colour options. There are many materials and styles of carpet available — so many that you might need a little help choosing.
To help you choose the right carpet for your home, we've provided details about carpet terminology. To discuss your carpet options with one of our PC Flooring Professionals, please contact us or drop by our showroom.
Carpet selection is often based on:
- FIBRE: this is the carpet material itself. Single carpet fibres are spun together to create two-, three-, or four-ply yarn, which is then attached to a woven backing.
- PILE: the height of the fibre.
- DENSITY: the amount of fibre tufts per square inch. Carpet weight is measured in ounces per square yard. When using weight to compare carpets, make sure you’re comparing like materials (i.e., nylon to nylon, not nylon to polyester).
- TEXTURE: the style in which fibres are looped, twisted, or cut provides texture.
The performance and quality of a carpet is directly related to the amount and quality of fibre that goes into the pile. The better the fibre and the denser it is packed, the better the carpet will perform. Thin, less dense carpet will lose its surface appearance faster. It is best to buy the highest quality carpet you can afford.
In selecting your colour, look at the sample in your own home, both in daylight and lamplight in the evening. The colour you choose will look different under different lighting conditions. Light-coloured carpets will show more soil and require more maintenance than dark colours although they do tend to show fewer footprints. Darker colours of carpeting are more effective in high traffic areas. Multi-coloured and patterned carpets are especially effective in hiding soil.
Carpet fibres
Carpet fibres are either natural or synthetic. Wool is the natural fibre used in carpet; cotton and other natural fibres are widely used in rugs. The major synthetic yarns are nylon, olefin, acrylic, and polyester.
WOOL offers a deep, rich look and feel with excellent resilience and durability. Although it’s naturally stain resistant, it requires a higher level of maintenance, including very regular vacuuming.
NYLON is the most common carpet material. It’s the strongest fibre, making it an excellent choice for heavy-traffic areas. It’s also the most durable of the synthetics; easy to clean and maintain. Nylon is soil- and mildew-resistant, resilient, and non-allergenic. However, some nylon may pill and be prone to static.
OLEFIN (POLYPROPYLENE) was originally used for outdoor carpeting and basements owing to its resistance to moisture, mildew, water damage, staining, pilling, shedding, and static. Now it’s more widely used for its durability and appearance. Olefin is dyed before it’s made into a fibre, and therefore is colourfast. However, some olefin can flatten and fade in direct sunlight.
POLYESTER is not as durable as nylon, but is still quite wear-resistant. Polyester offers a wide selection of textures and colours. While it’s susceptible to pilling and shedding, it’s non-allergenic, sheds moisture, resists moths and mildew, and cleans easily.
ACRYLIC is the closest to wool of any of the synthetics. Acrylic is manufactured primarily for commercial use. It offers soil resistance, excellent clean ability, and resistance to static, moths and mildew. Acrylic is available in a wide choice of colours and is less likely to fade in bright sunlight than nylon or polyester.
Carpet treatments
Today’s carpet is available with stain-resistant fibres and finishes, which is welcome news to homes with children and pets. The most effective treatments are added as part of the manufacturing process. Finishes applied later are not as long-lasting.
Carpet pile
CUT PILE carpet fibre ends are cut on a level face.
- SAXONY is a popular carpet of dense, level-cut pile with loops clipped to about one-half inch high. The closely packed yarns give a soft, smooth surface which is perfect in formal settings. A smooth-finished Saxony is sometimes referred to as "plush."
- TEXTURED is also a cut pile, but isn’t as densely tufted as Saxony. Two-toned yarn and an uneven surface give it a casual look suited for any room. Its tight-twist construction helps resist soil, so it’s often a good choice for family rooms.
- FRIEZE carpets have a short, durable, twisted pile fibre, well suited for busy areas.
- LOOP PILE yarns are looped and fastened to the backing.
- BERBER features large, uncut loops of natural-tone fibres, usually of olefin. Berber is very durable and a good choice for high-traffic areas. However, because the loops are uncut, pet claws and children’s toys can catch a loop and pull, causing a run in the carpet. Even "zipper-proof" carpets are susceptible to damage.
- LEVEL LOOP refers to tufted, uncut loops of equal height. It’s durable and a great carpet for high-traffic areas and informal rooms. Again, there is a risk of uncut loops being caught, causing a run in the carpet.
- CUT & LOOP offers a combination of the above, allowing more textures and patterns. Cut & loop achieves a sculptured pattern with varied levels of uncut low loops and sheared top loops. The pattern looks as if it’s been cut into the carpet and usually features several tones from the same colour family. The change in colour helps disguise wear and soiling.
Carpet padding
Padding is just as important as the carpet itself — in some applications even more so. Although it’s not visible, the cushioning layer is critical to a quality carpet installation. Installing the proper backing cushions the feet, insulates from cold and noise, and increases the life of the carpet. The underpad you choose can also play an important role in your carpet’s warranty. Your PC Flooring Professional can assist you in choosing the correct padding for your carpet selection and application.
Area rugs
Any of our carpet products can be customized into an area rug according to your specifications. We can cut the product of your choice to any area rug size you wish. Visit our showroom for our wide selection of binding materials and styles to finish off your custom area rug. When you customize your own area rug, you can be sure that it will not only match your décor, but that nobody else will have the same amazing product!
Carpet maintenance
For regular maintenance, the number one rule of carpet care is to vacuum regularly. Most dirt and even dust takes the form of hard particles. When left in the carpet, these gritty, sharp particles abrade the pile of the carpet. Regular vacuuming not only prolongs the life of the carpet, but also enhances its appearance. It is best to use a vacuum with a beater bar and a brush, and be sure it’s set to the correct height for your carpet pile. If the setting is too high, you may not be cleaning your carpet effectively. If it’s too low, your carpet will get unnecessary wear and tear from the vacuum cleaner. Changing the direction of the cleaner frequently will make vacuuming more effective. Change the bag often to maximize the effectiveness of your vacuum cleaner.
For periodic maintenance, your carpet should be deep cleaned every two years. With today’s advanced fibres, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. You can choose professional or do-it-yourself steam or dry cleaning. If you choose professional cleaning, be sure to use a reputable service and get them to perform a visual inspection of the carpet before giving you a quote. High-traffic areas will need to be cleaned more frequently by spot cleaning or with a steam cleaner. If you choose a self-cleaning method, be sure to follow the instructions provided with the steamer or self-cleaning product.
Carpet stain removal
Mishaps and stains are inevitable, and sometimes spot cleaning may be required. Familiarize yourself with how to treat stains before they occur, and refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations. You’ll have the most success if you treat spots or stains immediately. Always blot the area to be cleaned, and don’t rub the stain in deeper. One of the best agents to use on water-based spills is club soda. After blotting with a clean, white rag to remove the spill, dribble club soda on the affected area, let it set for a moment, then blot again to remove the stain.
Remember that if your carpet is stain-treated with a product like Scotchgard, you’ll need to follow that manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning to ensure that you don’t void the stain warranty.
Some manufacturers actually offer their own specific line of cleaning products specially designed for their flooring. Check with your PC Flooring Professional if you have any further questions.
