Category: Flooring

When it is Time to Replace Carpet – The Warning Signs

You may have just moved into a new house or apartment or have lived in your home for many years. We walk on our carpets everyday and  do not give them a second thought, but when your carpet is starting to look worn or, worse, smell old and musty, do you replace it? There are some carpets that are made to last for only a few years and others that can last for 20 or 30, but sooner or later you will come to the day when your carpet is destined for the trash and it will need to be replaced.

So how do you know when it is time to replace carpet?

Here are a few ways you can determine whether or not your old carpet is still worth keeping and will revive with a professional carpet cleaning or if it is time to start thinking about purchasing a new carpet.

Is your carpet compressed or matted down?

It happens to the best of them! Carpets, especially in a hallway or on a well-traveled stairway are notorious for matting down from wear and tear. A Polyester carpet that is compressed or showing a trail of matted carpet fibers  has little chance of resurgence –  they are not very resilient. Once the carpet’s tuft lays down it will never return to its original standing position. If this happens and you have tried having your carpet cleaned professionally and it still does not bounce back (or up ) it is time to rip out and replace!

A popular type of carpet is looped Berber carpet made from Olefin. Berber rugs are quite resilient but after many years, if their once upright loops, now lay flat, or if the olefin fibers are stained, it is a possibility that it is time to retire it. If your Berber carpet is made from olefin and is over 5 years old, is matted down and, stained and dingy, then it may be time to think about replacing your carpet.

Berber rugs made from strands of nylon are much better at resisting matting, are more importantly, stain resistant. This increases their lifespan. If your Nylon Berber carpet is less than 10 years old, then more than likely a professional cleaning can quite easily rejuvenate your old carpet.

BUT, there is better news for owners of Nylon carpets, if they appear the matted, your problem may just be remedied with a professional cleaning.  A nylon carpet is known to be one of the most resilient fibers and it’s ability to regain some of its “like-new” looks after a thorough cleaning, is encouraging.

Is your carpet permanently stained?

Stains happen to the best of us – no matter how careful you can be, there will always be a time when something falls or gets dragged in on your feet. Even open windows can slowly let in dust, pollen, dirt and other particles that, over time, can stain a carpet. There is no carpet that’s stain proof. All carpets you find in the stores today have some type of anti-stain treatment applied to it’s fibers or infused within them.

Padding worn out or compressed?

Carpet Padding is an unseen hero – always keeping your feet cushioned, protecting the floor below from the abrasive underside of the carpet, extending the overall life of your carpet. But, when it fails to provide enough support, or worse, begins to crumble (evident from little pieces of foam appearing on your floor) it could be a good time to replace. Most people will never replace a carpet pad until they replace the carpet that is laying on top of it. This makes sense – especially if your carpet is wall-to-wall carpeting. But if you have an area rug and are noticing the lack of cushioning, then it is highly advisable to replace it – an easy homeowner fix! If you are replacing a carpet and are also purchasing the carpet padding, make sure to get a good quality pad that provides sufficient support and has a lifespan that is equal to the carpeting you select.

How Long Should A Carpet Last In Your Home?

Properly fitted carpets can actually help save energy as they play an important part in the insulation of your home. A good quality carpet feels soft and easy on your feet. And carpets absorb sound.

New technologies allow old carpets to be recycled – eliminating the need for acquiring raw materials. Upfront costs and installation may be more expensive than hard floors, but this expenditure is cost-effective over the carpet lifetime.

How long should a carpet last in your home? Read on…

Carpet Lifespan Facts

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of your household carpets. These include your location, household numbers, if you have pets, and how your property is used.

The carpet lifespan in an average household of two to four occupants is normally about three to five years. This number may be lowered for families with pets and children. And increased with proper carpet care and maintenance. How long should carpet last in a home? A well-maintained carpet can last for up to 15 years.

Signs of Aging

An old carpet will start to show signs of wear and tear – starting with it not being comfortable as you walk on it due to deteriorating padding underneath. Replacing old carpet should be considered when even with the greatest care your carpet is showing the following signs:

• A flat or matted pile – polyester fibres are particularly prone to this – especially in areas of high footfall
• Stretched areas of carpet – ripples and uneven surfaces become potential tripping risks
• Fraying edges – and thinning areas of carpet that won’t respond to any amount of plumping up of fluffing
• Faded fibres – due to exposure to sunlight and constant cleaning your carpet may appear to be changing colour
• Mould and mildew – these problems underneath indicate it’s time for a carpet change
• Stains and odours – carpets trap debris deep inside the fibres making them difficult to clean and refresh when they’re old
• Increased allergy symptoms – your carpet may be the source of your allergies playing up as they retain bacteria and dust particles

Carpet Maintenance

Years can be added to the life of your carpet if you look after it correctly. This includes vacuuming on a daily basis – particularly in high traffic areas like the hallways and living room.

Use rugs and runners to minimise soling and to enhance colour schemes and décor. And avoid using carpet powder products as it’s easy to leave remnants of the powder in the carpet which can result in a sticky covering if dampened.

Stains can be treated in several ways depending on the age of the stain. And what the stain is. See a brief guide below:

• Wax, crayon, gum, and paint – apply a small amount of dry-cleaning solvent
• Beer, blood, chocolate, soft drinks – mix washing up liquid with a cup of lukewarm water
• Urine, vomit, and wine – mix half a tablespoon of ammonia with half a cup of water – or half a cup of white vinegar with a cup of water

Why You Need to Clean Your Rug Regularly Rug

cleaning is paramount for a number of reasons, listed below:

• It helps increase the life of the rug significantly.
• Rugs trap airborne pollutant that have to be removed to protect both the indoor air quality and the rug itself.
• Most rug soils are dry. When you keep your area rug thoroughly vacuumed regularly the majority of dry soils are removed. Hence, the rug is maintained much easier.
• Rug cleaning removes stains and spots, which can attract more soiling, like any other soils.
• Most soiling of area rugs can lead to the buildup of unhealthy bacteria and allergens. Cleaning your carpets prevents these contaminants from becoming accumulated.
• A well-cleaned and well-maintained rug enhances the overall appearance of the room and speak volumes about the entire home’s (or facility’s) cleanliness.
• When a rug is within a workplace, keeping it clean is paramount to worker morale. Everybody likes working in a clean environment (the carpeting included).
• Regular cleaning helps remove bed bugs and dust mites that can be transported from the beds to practically every item in the household.
• Rug manufacturers require that rugs be cleaned annually, using the extraction method to maintain their warranty.

Choosing a Non-Toxic Carpet

Recently, I’ve had a few private consulting clients ask about non-toxic carpeting. As a result, I’ve spent some time more deeply looking into this.  I hope this post helps answer the big question: Is there such thing as truly safe, non-toxic carpeting?

What Makes Carpeting Toxic?

As my dad wrote in the flooring post about our non-toxic renovation undertaking, Project One-Eleven, carpeting is problematic for a variety of reasons, including:

The chemicals and materials used to make the carpets and pads beneath them, including plastics, wool that’s laden with fungicides, synthetic rubber that may contain endocrine-disrupting phthalates, toxic dyes, and chemicals that are meant to repel flame, water, and stains.

The materials used in the carpet installation process, including glues and other adhesives that contain formaldehyde and a range of VOCs that off-gas into the home environment.

Carpet’s tendency that to accumulate dust mites, dirt, pesticides, and other toxins brought into our homes on our feet (and our pets’ feet!).

So Are All Carpet Bad News?

The older the carpets, the more likely they are to contain bad chemicals and pounds of accumulated junk. So I’d say that yes, old carpets are categorically bad news. But because we have some really safe options available these days, newer carpets can be a good choice for your home.

And this is important: In addition to choosing safe carpets, you should clean them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually involves frequent vacuuming

Earth Weave is the gold standard among non-toxic carpeting. They simply make the very best stuff. Earth Weave’s natural, non-toxic carpeting is made in the United States from carefully selected European wool, hemp, cotton, natural latex, and jute.

Why are Vinyl Floors Becoming So Popular?

Selecting new flooring can be a difficult task.  You probably know exactly what you want, but sometimes your budget just won’t allow it. Carpet Flooring Centre we know how difficult it can be to find new flooring that fits in with your budget. This is why we recommend vinyl floors.  Vinyl floors are increasing in popularity, and for very good reasons.

Vinyl floors are very cost-effective.  They will fit with almost any budget. That means you can get a beautiful new floor without breaking the bank!

Vinyl floors come in an endless variety of colours and styles.  You can choose flooring that looks like tile or wood, or that has a pattern.  You can also find almost any colour or design, so you can find something that matches your current décor.

Compared to other types of flooring, vinyl floors provide a much more cushioned surface.  This is especially good for people with back, foot, or joint problems.

This type of flooring is so easy to clean and maintain.  It is water-resistant, so spills wipe up very easily.

Vinyl floors can be installed right over most subfloors.  This makes installation inexpensive. You also do not have to worry about spending a lot of time on demolition.

Vinyl floors are beautiful and look great in any home.

Vinyl flooring comes in a few different styles like vinyl click plank, vinyl click tile, and vinyl plank flooring.  These different options ensure that you can find the perfect style and look, so you will be completely satisfied with your new flooring.

This Design Mistake Could Lower The Resale Value Of Your Home

Whether you’re buying a new home or renovating your current one, if resale value is a concern, there’s absolutely one design mistake that turns off a large segment of potential buyers: wall-to-wall carpeting, especially throughout a home

While many designs come back in style (hello mid-century modern), carpeting an entire home isn’t likely to make a resurrection any time soon. “Even when it looks in good shape and the home is furnished, it almost never looks good and clean once that furniture is removed,”

While the hardwood flooring of previous generations didn’t come cheap, today’s hardwood alternatives are available in a range of prices and many are practically indistinguishable from solid wood. So, carpet has almost completely lost its cache. “I think flooring has become a big design feature and so the idea of covering up the floors is less popular as it’s such a selling feature,” the agent says. “There is a lack of flexibility in a wall-to-wall carpet, which doesn’t appeal to the modern buyer.”

that some buyers still prefer soft flooring for bedrooms. However, they usually avoid carpeting the entire room. “It’s far easier to redo or change the feeling in a room by purchasing a new rug! There’s a freedom to wood flooring,” she explains. “The vast majority of buyers plan to use a rug that stops a few inches shy of the wall.”

This is because many co-ops required a certain percentage of flooring in every unit to be carpeted. While these rules haven’t exactly been lifted, most of the time, unless there are noise complaints, they aren’t strictly enforced today.

Thinking of Buying A Carpet – Where do I Start?

These days there are many different types of carpets available which can often be overwhelming. With each different type having their own benefits, it’s hard to know where to begin. Carpets bring warmth and a touch of luxury to your home but can also be a very practical choice when choosing flooring.

Polypropylene carpets are becoming increasingly popular with their sales overtaking the more traditional style 80/20 wool twist carpets. Manmade carpets have improved greatly in quality over the years. Gone are the days where you risked getting a shock off the static from your manmade carpet! Polypropylene carpets are ideal in any area of your home as they are stain resistant and bleach cleanable and can deal with most things that everyday living can throw at them. They are great for busy households with children, pets and the occasional glass of wine!

They come in all different qualities and price ranges so you will always be able to find one suitable for your needs and budget – ranging from tough berber styles through to luxurious thick saxony styles which feel gorgeous in the bedroom.

Wool carpets still remain a popular choice, ranging from your 100% wool berbers to 80/20 wool twists. In recent years 50% wool and 50% manmade carpets have become increasingly popular, offering you the benefits of both types. Wool has traditionally always been a popular choice when choosing carpets. Wool is very hard wearing and stays looking good for a long time. Due to its natural oils in wool, wool carpets can clean up well too and is a luxurious choice for flooring in your home.

CARPET THINGS TO CONSIDER

WE WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A SMART PURCHASE.

Choosing the best carpet is about knowing the right combination of characteristics, aesthetics, performance, and budget to best meets the needs of your lifestyle. We want you to know all the important facts about carpet specifics and characteristics. The more you know, the better able you will be to make a smarter purchase decision.

UNDERSTANDING SEAMS AND BACKING WILL HELP YOU WITH YOUR DECISION.

Carpet is available in 12’, 13’ and 15’ widths. Unless the room to be carpeted is narrower than these widths, the carpet will be seamed. With looped or low-profile patterned carpets, you may have visible seams. The degree of their visibility depends on texture, color, lighting, and furniture placement.

DURABILITY IS A FUNCTION OF QUALITY.

Higher quality carpet will typically have greater pile density and tighter twist construction. This will result in better durability. Another consideration is that it is easier to replace or update a home decor with carpet compared to other hard surface products.

COLOR HAS A BIG IMPACT ON ANY ROOM.

Carpet covers a large area of any room, so it is important to keep some basic rules in mind when selecting your carpet. Once a carpet is installed it will often look lighter than the sample. Lighter color carpet will visually expand the size of the room, while darker carpet will create a more intimate feeling. Neutral colors are the best choice for frequent change of decorating scheme or if you are trying to incorporate a large amount of existing furniture. A neutral color is also a good idea if the home will be resold at any time.

CHECK YOUR WARRANTY FOR STAIN PROTECTION.

Stain protection is an important consideration in any carpet purchase. Carpet products come with different stain protection levels and warranties that help guard against stains. As you increase the quality of carpet, stain protection also typically increases, as does manufacturers’ warranty coverage.

How to choose the best wood flooring

White and pale grey wood floors are perfect for low-traffic rooms, and their light colour will enhance space in a small room brilliantly. Contemporary and light-reflecting, they will however show up dirt and dents pretty quickly.

Warm, honey-toned wood floors will disguise dirt and create a welcoming feel, ideal for a large, open-plan space that you want to feel cosier. Less contemporary than paler wood floor finishes, mid-toned wood is perfect for creating a relaxed, more traditional finish.

Dark wood floors will create a more formal, intimate feel in a room, but can also be used in industrial-style spaces for a smart, contemporary finish, especially if used as a backdrop to show off light-coloured furniture.

Your Guide to the Different Types of Wood Flooring

Unfinished or Finished?

Unfinished hardwood flooring is a good option if you want a custom stain applied before the final finish, or if you want to match the color of existing flooring. After hardwood flooring installation and staining, the flooring is given several coats of protective finish. If you’re thinking of adding hardwood flooring in your kitchen, unfinished flooring is a good choice because the finish will penetrate and seal the seams between boards, helping to prevent water from seeping between boards.

Solid or Engineered?

Solid hardwood flooring is all wood and comes 5/8 to 3/4 inches thick. Because it’s solid wood, it can be sanded and refinished many times. However, it’s susceptible to changes in humidity, and isn’t recommended for below-grade basements.

What Species Is Best?

The best hardwood floors are made with wood species that are readily available and — you guessed it — very hard. Oak flooring, maple flooring and cherry flooring are all good choices. Other species include bamboo (which is actually a grass), walnut, ash and mahogany. You’ll pay a premium price for more exotic species, such as teak, jarrah and mesquite. Check to make sure the hardwood flooring you choose comes from sustainably harvested forests.

How Hard Can It Be to Choose a Hardwood Floor?

Choose the Wood Species and Color

Browsing through flooring samples to choose a type of wood and a color for your new floor is probably the most enjoyable part of the process. At this stage, much depends on personal preference and your overall vision for your home.

Consider Wood Grain and Character

The way that logs are sawed into boards has a big effect on the grain pattern that’s visible in the floor.

Prefinished or Site-Finished?

Another major decision is whether to buy prefinished flooring, sold with its final color and topcoat in place, or unfinished flooring that can be stained and finished by an installer after it’s put down.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A HARDWOOD FLOOR

THE FLOOR AND THE ROOM

Floor – walls – ceiling: the three fundamental elements that together create the room’s feel. The interaction between these three surfaces can change the overall impression, depending on the choice of colours, patterns, lighting, etc. The floor creates the room’s base, weight and character, and it is also the basis for the other elements, including the choice of furniture and other decor. The floor is where fashion and style meet function.

THE FLOOR IS THE FOUNDATION

A floor is so much more than just something to walk on. The floor, with the walls and ceiling, contributes the room’s fundamental feel. When designing your home, you should perhaps consider the floor first. The floor is the base – whilst you can always repaint walls and ceiling, the floor is of a more permanent nature. The appearance of the floor, i.e. the colour, surface, pattern and hardness, can vary a lot between different wood species. From light, calm Birch or Maple, through Oak and Beech, to dark and vibrant Walnut or Jarrah. Find out as much as you possibly can about different species and what they can mean for you in your home. Your floor sets the mood.

WHAT WOOD FLOOR COLOUR SHOULD I CHOOSE?

Light, dark or natural? The colour of the floor has a strong impact on how the room is perceived. A dark floor “swallows” a lot of light, but it also creates a sense of warmth and cosiness. A light wood floor reflects the light and adds space to the room.

What to Ask Before Choosing a Hardwood Floor

Where will the wood be going?

Installing hardwood floors on a second story is much different than doing so in a basement. A space beneath ground level is what’s known as below grade. A floor that’s even with the outside ground level is on grade, and any floors above this are above grade. Where you’re installing the wood will limit your recommended options.

What is the subfloor made of?

Find out what kind of subfloor you have. The three most common types are concrete slab, plywood and particleboard. This will help you determine whether you can install solid wood floors, or if an engineered wood would be best.

What are your living habits?

Think about how much abuse your floors will take and learn about specific wood species and their durability. Do you have kids and pets? Have large parties often? Or are you a single person who travels a lot?