Carpet

Benefits of Carpet

Whether your setting is formal or informal, quiet or high-traffic, an empty nest or a house full of kids, we have the right carpet style for you.

Appearance and Ambience

Carpeting adds to decor with colors, patterns, pile heights, and textures resulting in durability, functionality and style. They also absorb sound when compared to hard surface flooring, contributing to a quieter space.

Sustainability

Many brands are offering natural fibers such as wool as well as Green Labeled products made from reclaimed and recycled materials. New recycling technology results in approximately 85% of used carpet being recycled.

Cost Savings

Carpeting usually costs less over time than hard surfaces to purchase, clean and maintain. Carpets can also cost less to install requiring less special preparation such as expensive sub-flooring.

Safety and Comfort

Carpeting and under pads can help increase stability against slip-and-fall accidents while also providing a soft landing. The soft surfaces reduce strain on feet, knees and backs.

Insulation

Carpet and under padding increases the insulation factor (R-value) of a room by stopping heat from escaping. Quality under padding can make the difference in areas that tend to be colder. Carpeting can help to reduce the costs of heating your home.

About Carpeting

Make Sure your Carpets are Right for Your Family

Pick the Pile of Carpet for Statement and Style

Carpet comes in many fiber types, styles, colors and thicknesses. Figuring out which is the right one for home or business can be tricky. Feel free to contact the Experts at Elliott Flooring to discuss the options for your job and budget.

Carpet Construction:

Carpet is made by machines that insert loops of fiber into carpet backing over and over creating a face pile of the carpet. The longevity of your carpet depends on the twist of the fiber and the thickness of the pile. The twists can be cut open at the ends or looped back down into he backing.

Twist

Carpet fibers are twisted with tight yarn to make it stronger. The tighter the twist the more the carpet will stand up. Carpet that has a cut pile must have a strong twist in the fiber or risk unraveling. The twist per inch can vary from 3 to 9 twists per inch. The higher the twist the stronger the carpet.

Density

Density refers to the tightness of the fibers together. The more dense the fibers the more fibers are pushed against each other as they go back and forth through the carpet backing. If you can see the backing through the fibers your carpet is not very dense. The denser the carpet is the better it will wear over time and in high traffic areas.

Patterns:

Today’s carpet options offer a variety of patterns to suit any need from a colorful children’s playroom to a sophisticated living room. Patterns can be subtle lines or dots or over sized geometric shapes. Patterned carpets are often lower pile for ease of cleaning. In the past patterns where just thought of for area rugs, now your central wall to wall carpeting can make a statement all by itself.

Cut Pile:

Many carpet lines offer cut pile carpet. People enjoy this kind of carpet has it has a soft feel. Cut Pile is good for spaces you plan to spend time with family, pets or exercising on the flooring. Cut piles can be identified by the following types:

Velvet

Velvet has a short pile length. Velvet pile may have uniform length or varied lengths for effect. They have a low twist rate and a velour feel.

Saxony

Saxony has a high pile with the ends of each tuft flaring out a bit. This makes for a very soft feel.

Frieze

Frieze carpeting has a tightly twisted fiber that creates a slightly shaggy informal appearance. It can help very durable and its casual look can hide footprints well. It is a good choice for a busy room.

Shag

Shag carpeting has a very long tuft with a low density to make a swishing carpet with open spaces between the fibers. This creates a special effect that people like for accent or effect.

Cable

Cable carpet is made from thicker and typically longer fibers. Cable is best for rooms without a lot of traffic like bedrooms. It can get matted down quickly.

Fiber type:

Carpets can be made of several different types of fibers each with their own purposes and effects.

Nylon

Nylon is known as being the most stain resistant and durable of the carpet fibers. This makes it a great choice for heavy traffic areas or homes with pets, kids or lots of activity such as in home day cares.

Polyester

Polyester is a good choice for a reasonable price point with normal traffic areas. It also comes in a wide range of colors and styles. It has a soft feel to it.

Olefin

Olefin is a compromise, offering good stain resistance and can handle some moisture. It is best chosen with a high dense pile.

Wool

Wool flooring has been used for centuries. It has a wonderful natural look and feel. It is good with soil resistance but not with stains. It wears extremely well over time.

Stain Resistance:

Most manufactures of carpet have their own stain resistance system. It is worth the extra money to get carpet that will be easily cleaned. Today’s stain resistance is aimed at not only protecting the fibers of the carpet but also protecting the backing and under padding. By keeping liquids from soaking through carpeting one can save the under padding, reduce molding and damage. This new liquid resistance also gives more time to get to the spill and clean it up properly.

Give Elliott Flooring Experts a call today to discuss carpet needs.

Use Patterns to Create Elegance and Beauty

Choose the Fiber you Want to Match Decor

Pick the Color to Match your Room

Choose the Right Under Padding for Your Carpet Project

Make Sure the Under Padding Matches Your Traffic Level

Carpet Padding

Selecting the right underpad for your carpet is an important part of your carpeting decision. The firm and resilient carpet cushion forms a foundation for your carpet, acting as a shock absorber. It also increases the durability and comfort of your carpeting. It can insulate the room and reduce acoustics making the space quieter and warmer.

You should consider the traffic level and patterns of your area when choosing your padding. Lower-traffic areas can have thicker and softer cushions, while high-traffic areas should have thinner and firmer cushions. Carpet padding is measured in weight or density. It is calculated in pounds per cubic foot. Most are in the range of 3 to 10 lbs.

Choosing the right padding can be complicated. Call or visit the Elliott Flooring showroom to talk to our staff to consider the options and get the right underpadding for your project. In residential projects, one is often looking for comfort, while in commercial projects one might consider durability more highly. There is a right under padding for all situations.

Bonded Foam Carpet Pad

This is the most commonly used padding and can be made of up to 100% recycled foam. This durable, eco-friendly option is also a good value coming at a reasonable price.

Prime Foam Carpet Pad

This is a large mass of foam similar to those used in mattresses. It is often firm but can sink quickly. It is inexpensive but not as durable for high-traffic areas.

Frothed Foam Carpet Pad

This padding is made from injected gas in a liquid foam state, creating a more durable, dense option. This type of under pad can come already attached to carpeting at times. It is extremely durable but is not always price effective.

Memory Foam Carpet Pad

This padding is a frothed foam that results in a memory foam feel that is extremely soft. However, it squishes over time. It comes at a higher price tag, and as a newcomer to the market, it still has to prove its longevity.

Fiber Carpet Pad

This combination of fibers such as felt, polyester, and nylon is often used with carpets such as Berber with a low pile. They are very durable and good for commercial applications. It is inexpensive, flat and dense, and good for most traffic situations. It does not offer the most comfort and, when made of natural fibers, can be prone to mold.

Waterproof Carpet Technology

Ask your Elliott Flooring Team about Waterproof Carpet Technology

Long gone are the days when liquid spills on carpets could not be controled. New carpet technology allows confidence that spills will not soak through carpet to under padding and flooring causing mold and other problems. Accidents will happen, be ready for them with waterproof carpeting technology. Extend the life of your carpet. Ask us about it today.

Care and Maintenance of Carpet

Taking care of carpeting can result in years of beautiful carpet. Carpet can be easy to take care of, but if is neglected, it will show. Things to consider for carpet care…

Make sure to purchase a carpet that has a stain-resistant covering or treatment.
Vacuum the carpet regularly to keep it clean and to keep the pile high and soft. Use a powerful vacuum set to the right height setting for your pile.
Use door mats at the entranceways to minimize stains and moisture from outside.
Don’t forget to clean carpets under area rugs. The carpet pile can get pushed down and need to be fluffed up periodically.
Spot clean the carpet as soon as you find a spot. Don’t let the substances dry on the carpeting.
If the carpet gets wet, do not walk on the carpet until it is dry.
Plan to professionally clean carpets at least once a year. Consider hiring professionals for this task.
Use approved products to clean carpets. Contact Elliott Flooring to get some of Shaw Flooring’s R2X- stain and soil remover.