Carpet Buying Guide
The first time in history when the carpet appeared was in the early 6000 BC. Over the years, it is has evolved into a quite popular floor covering, used in many homes and businesses. Through time it appeared different fibers, colors and tufting tehniqurs that had produced the variety of carpet styles available on todays market.
Where can I put carpet?
Carpet is perfect to be installed close to anywhere in a home. The bathrooms and kitchens are the exceptions due to the humidity.
What choices do I have?
Carpet is found in three major types: cut pile, loop pile, and cut loop. Cut pile is a strong choice which comes in a lot of styles: plush, textured, Saxony, frieze, and cable. These can provide everything from a formal look to a shaggy look. Loop pile is made without cutting the strings of yarn and is a durable, “all-purpose” carpet available in two styles: Berber (or level loop) and multi-level loop. Berber is a good choice for high traffic areas that don’t require a formal look. Some fibers feature multiple colors that help hide dirt. Multi-level loop carpet has loops of varying heights that create a more textured look. Cut and loop is a mixture of carpet where some fibers are cut and some are looped. This creates a multi-level texture ideal for high traffic areas. Carpet tiles, or squares of carpet, are also available for those who want an easier install and more control over the geometric appearance of the final floor.
Why choose carpet?
Carpet is adaptable. It comes in a variety of styles, colors, and types making it easy for customers to find the right carpet.
It is the cheapest option for floor covering and a good way to change the look of a room.
Can I do it myself?
Yes you can but it is one of the most difficult projects for the average do-it-yourselfer to tackle since specialized tools are required. The expense of hiring a professional team to install the carpet far outweighs the hassles and potential complications of doing it yourself. So it is up to you.
How will my floor wear over time?
If the carpet doesn`t receive the proper care and maintenance, the fibers may get matted due to the excess of dirt or sticky substances. Fibers may also unravel or shed. If you see signs of wear, repair them as soon as possible to keep your carpet in excellent shape.
Who Loves Carpet?
People with allergies. Carpet is a good keeper of allergens and prevent them from getting into the air, clearly when is properly cleaned. When you have a hard floor, allergens like dust and pet dander can be swept off the floor and back into the air.
People who want easy clean up and maintenance. Simply vacuum once or twice a week, and blot stains with the appropriate cleaner. Steam clean or clean to the manufacturer’s recommendation once every 12 to 18 months, and you’re done.
People who want a budget friendly way to change the look of their home. Carpet is is much less expensive than the wood flooring and the styles and color from which you may chose make it easy to adapt the carpet to any place or décor.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Regular vacuuming is the most important part of maintenance. The carpet should be vacuumed at least once or twice a week, especially in high traffic areas. When something spills on the carpet, the important thing to remember is not to scrub, as this could damage the fibers. Instead, use the appropriate cleanser to lightly cover the stain and blot until the spill starts to come out of the carpet. The sooner you clean a spill, the less likely it is to stain. The manufacturer will offer recommendations for different cleaning solutions to clean different kinds of spills. Never use bleach, as this will pull dye from the carpet and lead to discoloration.
Calculating the Cost of Carpet
Carpet nowadays is sold by the square foot, in the beginning it was sold by the square foot, but to simplify it the buyers and installers adopted the first measurement. You`ll probably spend between $2 and $8 per square foot depending on the type of the carpet. You will also need to purchase a high quality carpet padding, which can range in cost from $5 to $10 per square foot. Another few dollars you`ll spend to cover installation and removal of any old carped and padding.
Preparing for an Installation (how to install)
Remove any carpet and padding currently in the room, before installing any carpet,. Vacuum the carpet before removal to minimize the dirt and dust that gets left behind when you pull it up. And for an extra measure, vacuum again after the carpet and padding are gone, sweep the floor to ensure it’s clean before you start. Check the subfloor to ensure it is level and in good condition. If there are major issues with the subfloor, those will need to be repaired before the new carpet and padding are laid.
Installation
To install a carpet you can use to main methods: stetch in or glue down. Stretch in is the most commonly used method, and involves rolling the carpet, cutting it to size, and stretching it tightly across the pad to fit the room. It is generally stapled down, or attached with tackless strips. If the carpet is glued down, it is simply glued at the edges, pressed against the pad, and allowed to dry. Double glue down installation occurs when the padding is glued to the subfloor, then the carpet is glued to padding. Carpet tiles are easier for a do-it-yourself installation because there are generally glued down. For more information on how to install carpet, check out our Carpet Installation Guide.
Repairing Carpet
Remove all objects from the room, take the carpet off the tack strips, remove tack strips, stretch the carpet, and secure on tack strips in new location once the carpet is tight again. If it happens to burn the carpet, you have to use a pair of scissors to trim the burnt pieces, but don`t forget to be careful no to cut too deeply. Another method wich you can use is to patch holes and get rid of small stains. If your carpet has come unraveled or is snagged, it can be repaired.
BuildDirect is the best resource for everything you need. We can help make sure you get right carpet for your home, in every stage of the process from before you buy to purchase, installation, and proper care.