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How To Choose Carpeting?

The purpose of carpeting is to dress and warm up a room. Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing a carpet, the decision making process is not so straightforward. Learning how to choose carpeting for your home is made simpler, however, when you evaluate your family dynamics and lifestyle. Factors such as children, pets, and high traffic areas can fundamentally determine which carpet to choose. Therefore, take your time before coming to a long-term decision.

You will need to have to understand basic carpet lingo in order to decide which carpet type will work for your needs. “Twist type” refers to carpet fibers that are twisted and heated into shape. The more twists, the better quality the carpet. “Fiber types,” such as nylon, refer to the kind of yarn used in the carpet, and therefore establishes the superiority. “The density” describes the thickness of the carpet. Note that higher densities don’t determine its quality.

“Loops” create textures in carpet, and “loop” and “cuts” in a carpet produce the patterns. Both textures and patterns can be used to manipulate the dimensions of a room. In larger rooms they reduce the feeling of vastness, so if you want to close a room in a little, think about choosing a textured or patterned carpet. In smaller spaces, however, textures and patterns can be too busy and overwhelming; especially if different colors are involved.

When choosing the color of your carpeting, consider the size of your room and its décor. A carpet should fit perfectly into a setting without being overpowering or claustrophobic. The color of your carpet can also transform the dimension of a room dramatically. For example, dark colors close a room in, whereas lighter colors open a room up. Remember too, that in high traffic rooms, lighter colors can become soiled faster. On the other hand, if you have pets, darker colors will make pet hair more visible.

If you have children, pets, and entertain regularly, then selecting a carpet that is easy to maintain should be a priority. Consider stain resistant carpets that have been treated with a chemical that resists stains. Although this type of carpet does not resist all stains, it does reduce the likelihood of staining more than untreated carpets.

With a large family, foot traffic is intensified. If you need to carpet in a high traffic room, then selecting a high density carpet would ensure its durability. A carpet with tightly twisted yarn that is closely packed together is dense; therefore its durability is intensified. Although many stores don’t identify density on their carpet selections, it is easy to determine it by bending carpet samples back.

Another question to consider when choosing carpeting for your home is whether you prefer wall to wall carpeting vs. an area rug. Oftentimes, wall to wall carpet covers up ugly looking flooring and adds warmth to a room. If, however, you have beautiful hardwood flooring or a warm tile, then consider area rugs. With an area rug, rooms look inviting, but you can still appreciate the beauty of the underlying floor. Additionally, cleaning area rugs is easier than wall to wall flooring, and if you have family members with allergies, you can remove pet hair, dust, and dander from rugs and floor better than from wall to wall carpeting.

There are a wide variety of options available when choosing carpeting, but there are only a few types of carpet that will most likely fit your personal needs. Once you learn what your personal requirements are prior to shopping, you will ultimately narrow down your options. This will make choosing carpet for your home much more enjoyable.

About the author

Darren Urman became a professional writer 15 years ago, when he retired as a building contractor. Darren joined the THF team of writers in July, 2009. He enjoys cooking, writing, and traveling.



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