Carpet - Getting Started

Features and Benefits 

Carpet is by far the most popular and versatile floor covering solution on the market. And it’s easy to see why. 
Why Carpet? 

Décor versatility: Enhance your décor style – whether you're matching or reinventing it – with the diverse selection of available carpet types, featuring a variety of colors and surface textures. 

Warmth: Experience the feeling of warmth and inclusion with soft cushioning underfoot. 

Safety: Protect your family by providing a slip-free floor surface. 

Insulation: Homes with carpets are cooler in summer, warmer in winter and much quieter – now that’s comfort! 

Ease of maintenance: A good vacuum cleaner, a periodic professional clean and prompt attention 

to spills is all you need to keep your carpet looking like new. 

Value for money: With the wide range of carpet types available, there is a solution for practically every budget and décor need. 

Creating the Look 

Styles and Constructions: There are two basic carpet constructions: cut pile and loop pile carpet (they can also be combined in one surface design to create a cut and loop construction). Pile and loop carpet constructions can also produce a vast range of different surface effects that are known as ‘styles’.  

Cut Pile Carpet Styles include Plush, Velvet, Saxony, Frieze, Shag, Twist, Hard Twist, Heather Twist.  

Loop Pile Carpet Styles include Level Loop, Sisal, Cord, Multilevel Loop, Textured Loop.  

There are many different types of carpet and like any fashion, carpet trends come and go. So don’t necessarily select the style that’s in this month’s home furnishing magazine. Some types of carpet are more functional than others, so consider where the carpet will be laid – in a heavy traffic area like the family room or a hallway, or in a lighter traffic area such as a dining room or spare bedroom. Also, think about the ambiance of the room. Are you creating a contemporary space, a formal look or something cosy or functional? Talk to your retailer about the décor impact you are trying to achieve and the likely traffic levels. They will assist you in selecting the best style and type of carpet for your home. 

Decorating with Carpet  

Colours, Patterns and Textures  

Selecting the colour and pattern of your carpet is where the fun really begins. The first rule of thumb is, don’t limit your choice by looking for neutrality or a match with wall toning. Let your floor be an integral part of the décor. Here are some tips to help you choose your new carpet type with confidence. 

Colours  

  1. Rich, deep colors add warmth and close in a room.  
  2. Cool crisp colours give a feeling of freshness and space. 
  3. Subdued colours or earth tones will create a quieter mood.  
  4. Light colour carpets will open up a dark room.  

Patterns and Textures  

  1. Large areas of strong and complex pattern can close in a room; conversely, a ‘solid’ unbroken colour will give the appearance of stretching the dimensions of the space.  
  2. Textured carpets have very good appearance retention qualities. They disguise the change of appearance associated with normal use and can mask small marks. 

Importance of Light  

Decorating with Carpet Light can affect colours significantly. Ask your retailer for large samples to take home to see how the colours work in different lights. 

Caring For Your Carpet 

Cleaning and Maintenance 

  1. As a guide, vacuum twice weekly and have your carpet professionally cleaned at 18-month intervals. 
  2. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner. Not only will it clean the carpet more effectively, but many modern cleaners employ multi-filter systems to trap the finest particles and improve indoor air quality. 
  3. Treat spills immediately and ask your retailer for a stain removal guide (and keep it handy!). Remember, don’t use soap, ammonia, washing soda or any of the strong household cleaning agents intended for use on hard surfaces. 
  4. Use furniture caps under chairs, tables and sofa legs. 
  5. Periodically reposition your furniture to distribute traffic patterns more evenly. 
  6. Place rugs or protectors in very heavy areas of traffic. 
  7. Place barrier mats outside doorways to trap dirt from shoes. Remember to clean these mats regularly. 

The Importance of Carpet Underlay 

The Complete Package  

There are three main types of underlay: felt, foam and rubber. Like carpet, there are many carpet underlay options, available in various grades and qualities and these can be matched to your carpet and the wear characteristics of your home. Ask your retailer about the carpet underlay options available. The underlay should be firm but comfortable. Poorly specified carpet underlay will lead to stretching and rucking and may result in a breakdown of the carpet backing. As a guide, if you stand on the underlay, you should not be able to feel the floor with the heel of your shoe. If you are replacing your carpet, don’t be tempted to use the existing underlay. It will have the same wear patterns that appear in your old carpet and these will quickly resurface in a new carpet. Carpet manufacturers’ warranties also require their products to be installed over new underlay. 

Measuring, Laying & Installing 

A Job for Professionals  

Carpet installation is a profession, and it should only be conducted by skilled tradespeople. Here are a couple of things to consider for your new carpet installation.  

Ideally, the area to be carpeted should be measured by your retailer, who will consider the way rooms flow into one another, how ambient light falls, and the way foot traffic will ‘funnel’. Ask your retailer to explain these potential issues.  

Your retailer can advise you on the placement of seams and joins. Check your new carpet installation plan to ensure that seams and joins run in the same direction as most of the foot traffic, and that there are no seams in heavier traffic areas such as hallways and turning points.  

Carpet on stairs wears more quickly than other areas. Buy enough extra carpet to re-do the stairs at some point.  

Carpet Manufacturers’ warranties are only valid when carpet is installed in accordance with Australian/ New Zealand Standard AS2455, Textile Floor Coverings, Laying Practice.  

If in doubt, ask your retailer to check that the installation plan will be consistent with this same standard. 

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