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Carpet
- nothing looks like it, feels like it or performs like it!
Carpet is a key decorative and functional element in a home.
Because carpet is the foundation of decorating, it can provide
simplicity and casualness for softness and livability; or it
can provide excitement with vibrant color and heavier textures
for making a decorating "statement." Carpet can be one of the
easiest ways to personalize an environment - its color can be
a neutral foundation "in the background," or it can be a
vibrant focal point.
When deciding what carpet to
buy for your home, there are a few factors that you should
consider.
Color : The
advent of carpet fiber stain
technology brought about a revolution in color
possibilities. Homeowners, no longer fearing the use of light
colored carpets, demand wider color choices. In general,
darker shades create a dramatic effect, while lighter shades
create a sense of spaciousness.
Style : There
are three basic carpet constructions:
cut pile,
loop pile and cut &
loop pile. When making your selection, ask your Abbey
expert what style will work best in the area you wish to have
the carpet installed.
Texture :
Carpet texture
establishes the character of a room or home, from the formal
look of cut pile velvet
Saxony to the casual look of
frieze. The texture
of carpet allows you to express your personality and
lifestyle. A heavily textured carpet will also help hide foot
prints.
Density :
Density is how tightly each fiber is stitched together. To
avoid a crushed and matted appearance, choose a carpet with
high density.
Twist : Twist is
how many times the fiber is twisted together in a one-inch
length. The twist relates directly to the carpet’s
performance. A poorly twisted carpet may unravel giving a
frayed and shaggy appearance.
Cushion :
Cushion relates to the padding installed under the carpet. A
denser padding typically increases comfort and durability.
Cleaning : In
order to keep your carpet in the best possible condition:
Vacuum on a regular basis and have your carpets professionally
cleaned every 12 to 18 months.
The type of fiber
used in your carpet will help determine its appearance and
performance. Synthetic fibers provide brilliant colors, easy
maintenance, softness and outstanding value. Natural fibers
provide soft, low luster colors, long term performance and
other aesthetic qualities
There are different types of
fibers, each with different characteristics:
Nylon : This is
the most popular synthetic carpet fiber used today. It offers
tremendous value, performance, and ease of maintenance. Nylon
provides brilliant colors and hides soil and traffic well.
The most advanced nylon carpet fibers actually reduce dirt and
soils ability to stick or transfer onto the surface of the
carpet. These specially treated fibers will even bead up
liquid spills rather than allowing to soak in. This makes
carpets manufactured with these new generation fibers much
easier to keep clean and looking like new longer.
Soft Carpet Fibers
: Some fiber manufacturers are producing fibers that
feel as soft as cotton (such as Stainmaster Tactesse® BCF
fibers, Anso Caress and DuraSoft® by Wear-Dated), yet will
outperform many other conventional carpet fibers. The
difference is that the nylon filaments are really much finer
than the typical filaments (finer than a strand of hair) but
twice as much fibers are packed into the strands of yarn. This
gives these carpets its softness and strength.
Olefin : This
fiber is also called polypropylene. Olefin is extremely
popular in Berbers, level loops carpets and outdoor turf
products. Olefin carpets are highly stain, static, mold, and
mildew resistant. They can be used for indoor or outdoor
carpets. Olefin's resistance to matting and crushing is not
quite as good as nylon.
Polyester :
Gives excellent color clarity with a soft feel to the carpet.
Lacks the durability of a nylon carpet.
Wool : A natural
fiber, wool is luxurious and typically expensive. Wool is
noted for luxury and softness. Wool has high bulk and is
available in many colors
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