 | Patrick Goebel has been involved in the home improvement industry for over 10 years and is currently director of retail flooring of the Flooring & Decorating Division of Star Lumber & Supply Co., Inc. You may contact Patrick by email at pgoebel@starlumber.com or by phone at (316) 942-2221. |
Carpet, Tile & Floor Covering
2006-10-01 12:27:00
Differences in carpets
ANSWER: Nylon is the most durable fiber and is also the most expensive. It makes great cut pile and Berber carpets and is the fiber most generally used for commercial products. The plus side include durability, and versatility. On the down side, it's more expensive and not as easy to clean as some other fibers. Polyester, after a rocky start 15-20 years ago, is now an excellent carpet fiber. It is most used for residential cut pile products. It is harder to dye than nylon, but that means it is easier to clean. It is also less expensive. On the down side, if it is loosely constructed, it has a tendency to pack and mat, but in the right (dense) construction, it is a superior carpet fiber. Polypropylene and Olefin are the same. They are used almost exclusively for Berbers and loop pile commercial products. They have almost no resilience, so they are almost never used for cut pile products. The exception is area rugs. It is fine for tight, dense loop piles like Berbers and cleans very easily.
QUESTION If I bend the carpet and see the backing, does this mean the carpet is low quality?
ANSWER: No. All carpets, except woven carpets, are made with spaces between the tufts (ends). Remember, except for stairs, carpet is flat on the floor. You can feel the thickness or density of different carpets by sticking your fingers in the pile, but do it on a flat surface. As a general rule, thicker, tighter, denser carpets perform better.
QUESTION: I've heard that you can save money by buying an unbranded yarn as opposed to a branded yarn. Is it true that you get the same thing, but you don't pay extra for the brand name?
ANSWER: As a rule, similar products with unbranded yarns can be less expensive, but that doesn't mean you get the same thing. Just like the difference between buying a branded carpet and an unbranded carpet, branded fiber brands are manufactured to strict standards set by the company. Using branded fibers can also give you extended warranties backed by the fiber company and the carpet manufacturer.
QUESTION: Can I save money by buying a less expensive carpet and putting the best cushion under it?
ANSWER: There is no doubt that a good cushion is critical to carpet performance, but remember that you walk directly on the carpet so you want carpet constructed to meet your needs and lifestyle. If you buy a cheaper carpet that doesn't meet your needs, you'll have a cushion that feels great, but you may not be satisfied with the look or wear of your carpet.
